The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), in cooperation with the Architecture Committee of the Supreme Council of Culture, announced a call for the 2016 Hassan Fathi Award for Architecture, earlier this year, addressing the following topics: Projects of Recreational Buildings and Shopping Malls and Projects by Egyptian Architects Living Abroad.

The jury members in the international competition included: Prof. Suha Ozkan, Founder and President of World Architecture Community, (Chair), Dr. Ashraf Botros, Architectural Committee, Supreme Council for Culture, Dr. Ashraf Salama, University of Strathclyde, UK, Dr. David Gloster, RIBA, Dr. Heba Abul Fadl, Architectural Committee, Supreme Council for Culture, Mr. Ivan Blasi, Mies Van Der Rohe Foundation, Eng. Magued Samy, Architecture Division, Egyptian Syndicate of Engineers, Eng. Mohamed Abou Seada, National Organization for Urban Harmony, Dr. Mohammed Awad, Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Dr. Rasem Badran, Architect, Eng. Seif Abul Naga, Society of Egyptian Architects, Dr. Tarek Farghaly, Alexandria University, Dr. Salah Zaki, Award Coordinator. 

The winners announced today as part of a seminar entitled “The Future of Architectural Education in Egypt” at the BA and Al Qurainah farmhouse in Al-Qurainah, KSA designed by Mohamed mokhtarMRafei wins 1st prize, and Amr Hosni Soliman is announced as joint winner with German School in Geneva. Qasr Al Wadi in Morocco designed by Shams Essawy Naga has won Honorable Mention and Academy of Architecture in Switzerland by Amr Hosni Soliman has won the 2nd Honorable Mention.

You can see all winners below with jury comments:

Winner 1: German School in Geneva by Amr Hosni Soliman 

Jury comments: The school is such a fundamental part of human experience that any architectural approach to redefining its architectural potential is always likely to be controversial.  The jury were however extremely impressed by the clarity of the plan the architects had developed for this scheme, and the awareness that circulation space in education buildings is always a strong vehicle for social interaction. 

The German school achieves this by creating an uncompromisingly  elegant and spare architecture, where the virtues of structure as space are demonstrated through the ingenious use of a room height truss. The project reflects the clear message for social betterment through architecture that Hassan Fathi espoused, but does this in manner that encourages contemporary technologies to address this crucial issue.

Winner 2: Al Qurainah farmhouse in Al-Qurainah, KSA designed by Mohamed mokhtarMRafei

Jury comments: Although treating the conventional programme of the single family house, the jury considered this scheme to have significantly progressed this typology by developing architecture with an exceptionally strong contextual fit, and exemplary observation of the landscape around the building complex. 

The ambiguity of what constitutes an internal or external space is continuously questioned in this project, leading to a delightful dialogue between land and architecture. Additionally, there is a refined regard for the progressive use of traditional construction technologies reflecting the contemporary context, but echoing the beauty of the landscape in which the house is so artfully located.  It is this masterful combination of sensibility to both the past – and the future – that made the project a clear choice for the Hassan Fathi award 2016.

Honorable Mention: Qasr Al Wadi, Morocco by Shams Essawy Naga

Jury comments: The jury were impressed by the expansive and confident treatment of integrating an ambitiously conceived family house in a complex, undulating landscape, and commended the clarity of the sectional design in providing a diverse series of external spaces perfectly complementing the internal functional programme.

Honorable Mention: Academy of Architecture in Switzerland by Amr Hosni Soliman

Jury comments: The rigorous and robust architectural strategies of this school at Mendrisio were commended by the panel as providing a wonderful context for the study of architecture. 

There was particular praise for the quality of the interiors which skillfully captured views of the surrounding landscape, at the same time as filtering light to create a series of intimate and very pleasurable spaces.

All images courtesy of The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA)

The BA has announced the winners in the award ceremony of the 2016 Hassan Fathi Award for Architecture, taking place on Wednesday, 2 November 2016. The BA has also inaugurated the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President’s Medals Award Exhibition 2015 alongside the award ceremony. 

The exhibition showcases the works of the winners and a selection of entries submitted to the RIBA competition. The ceremony will be followed by a seminar titled “The Future of Architectural Education in Egypt”.

The winner in each of the competition’s main categories is awarded a golden medal bearing the name of the Hassan Fathi Award for Architecture and a certificate of appreciation. This ceremony is considered one of the most important architectural events to take place in Alexandria, as it aims to improve contemporary Egyptian architecture, spread cultural awareness about the importance of architecture in society, and encourage and honor Egyptian architects.

> via The Bibliotheca Alexandrina