Omar AboulNaga
Graduation Project Report Table Of Contents: 1.0
CONCEPT ESSAY: A. Global Problem B. Reflection Of The Problem On The Local Scale C. Global Example D. Local Example E. Conclusion
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CONCEPT STATEMENT
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THE SITE 3.1 Site Criteria & Analysis 3.2 Environmental Studies 3.3 Nubian Anthropology
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SPACE PROGRAM
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KEYWORDS
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MoodBoard
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Extras
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“RADICAL Humanism” Towards a humane avant garde art and architecture
A. Global Problem: Since the 1940s, Architecture has been witnessing rapid shifting in paradigms along with parallel contradicting symphonies and trends that has been shaping our built and unbuilt environment till this day. Both, visiting the old notions of precedents and devising very radical movements under the umbrella of humanism, failed to deliver the allegation to sanity. The gap between architecture and its meant to be served has broadened. Subsequently, one new primitive gimmick cracked its way to satisfy the humanitarian urgency of intimacy and shelter. The gimmick of “intuitive informal no architect design” has been floating to the surface due to the absence of the authentic humanitarian approach, especially with the ongoing hyper technological evolution. Like this fact or not, Contemporary Architecture has lost its path. So What about futuristic interpretations?
Top Left: lakov chernikov composition 161…Top Right:Nazi Pavilion vs Soviet Pavilion, Paris World Expo, 1937 Bottom: Failure Of Modernism, St. Louis' Pruitt-Igoe Demolition
B. Reflection of the problem on the local scale:
Non-contextual Architecture developed by Egyptian Designers
Influence of western capitalism on a local food cart
On the other hand, when going from the global scale to the local intimacy, it can be clear how the western high-tech deep philosophies had been transformed into shallow and empty styles and trends. Such trends had been imported to the
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undignified locals and designers who have seen their heritage and traditions outdated. The soft power of the western world had conquered the mindsets of locals on many scales, from high-end designers poorly imitating western “styles” to the very ordinary market merchant that prefers using mechanized imported products to sell rather than the old school handmade products. The problem of identity and heritage is not only that it is not looked after, but also that people themselves no longer find pride in digging up and showing off their roots. What makes things worse, is how the very delicate rich youth of Upper-Egypt are giving up their multi-thousand years old identity and culture due to negligence and the domination of westernization on their mindsets. The absence of what makes them proud of their past and developing it to get along with the spirit of today, is the main key to such a phenomena.
The missing key of nowadays art and architectural approaches won’t be realized unless giving the opportunity of liberation to talented young and identity-rich youth that are far away from the current moldy and conformist system of education. Since art & architectural education in Egypt has been molding students and restraining their creativity along Youth are the key to the problem with empowering the idea of westernization. Therefore, giving them a basic platform to develop their creativity in arts and make them update their old heritage and rebrand it, would help heal what has been going wrong and guide the new “Glocal” futurist movements into the right direction. C. Global Example: There has been several approaches towards such a notion. The AA in UK, Sci-Arc in the US, University Of Tokyo in Japan and ETC Zurich in Switzerland. Probably the AA is the most significant example which has acted as a completely reformist art and architecture school. The liberty given to students to Rem Khoolas Drawing, 1970s
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create and develop was colossal, there was no right or wrong. The AA had been producing very radical inapplicable art forms and concepts until this conceptual experimental phase has ripened and the influence on architecture reached its prime when a generation of world wide renowned architects came out from it. Nevertheless, the AA is not an example to blindly follow. Although, the AA could be one of the best examples of how avant-garde architecture could be conceived, it lacked many humanist ethics under the influence of the dominant modernist movement. The very delicate scope of humanist specialty was almost completely ignored.
Zaha’s Influence by Russian Avant Garde
One example could be noticed when “Russian” avant-garde was the main influence to the style conceived by Dame Zaha Hadid in almost all her buildings everywhere through the world. The idea of heritage, ethics and legacy was and is still ignored. Contextual architecture became more related to the environment and ignoring the ancestry of the place. This outcome could be the result of the international complexity the AA provides to make it global. Consequently, the AA along with many other global schools did not seek to find the missing link between their radical outputs and the humane diversity instinct. Global influence doesn’t have to be monopolized. Uniqueness and difference have always been what made humanity move forward, thus establishing an educational platform to develop the skills and hidden energy of young artists and architects could be the key to find this missing link.
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D. Local Example: Furthermore, a successful local example that could be taken as a reference is Ramses Wissa Wassef’s Al Haraneya Village. Wassef Believed in the same concept that modular education kills the creativity genes youngsters are born Ramses Wissa Wassef with. He built up a village that guided young kids on carpeting techniques without forcing them to make special designs. The project became extremely successful and the village went from being very local to being a local productive village whose products would be exported to all over the world.
E. Conclusion: Consequently, the project chosen is to help answer the riddle of radical humanism. An educational and productive platform that guide young students and designers to reproach and rebrand their heritage and introduce it in a new way to make others feel proud of their local identity. Such a project throws a stone in the standing water and give people from Upper Egypt the spotlight they have always deserved yet never earned. The project though is very concerned with localism, also send a message to the global world with it initiative of rebranding and updating heritage to the modern radical world.
Concept Statement This project is a platform for updating and rebranding the art fields from “Local” to “Glocal”
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The Site 3.1 Site Criteria: Aswan would be a perfect location for such a project for several reasons. To begin with, Aswan has a very long and old heritage that is recently starting to be endangered with the monster of negligence by its own people. Locals too, similar to many throughout Egypt, are being extremely affected by the westernized styles. However, people of Nubia are still adherent to their traditions and arts. Thus this could be a very good potential to help avoid a problem that they could face in the near future. The Island of “Awad� was chosen specifically to go along the project credentials and give it the special scarcity and the physical boundary it needs so it gets enough power at the beginning till it dominates the collective thinking, and starts affecting the surrounding places. The island would act as the cherished castle everyone would want to follow in their own way.
Site Analysis
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Site Boundaries
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3.2 Environmental Study:
Wind Rose Of Aswan Temperature Analysis
3.2.1 Climate In Aswan: The climate is aswan is dry hot in summer and very moderate in winter. In June & July the temperature reaches a maximum of 45 degrees in the shade. On the other hand the temperature records an average of 12 to 15 degrees in winter.Thus, a passive cooling system is a must for the summer days. 3.2.2 Vernacular Architecture in similar climates: Vernacular Architecture is one key point towards passive environmental solutions. Throughout history, the techniques used in vernacular architecture proved efficiency and cleanliness. In Cairo, wind catchers were very common in ventilating houses and buildings. In addition the Iwans and Takhtaboush were also used. Turkish Windcatcher in Cairo
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Ancient Egyptians used wind catchers too in Upper Egypt in their houses to provide climatic comfort. In very hot climates in the desert, shading was provided through the stacking masses and the narrowing of the streets. In addition courtyards were the ultimate solution to the high temperatures. Ancient Egyptian House
Narrow Streets Of What El Dakhla
Ghadames Urban Fabric & Courtyards
The effect of courtyards: Courtyards provided shading to the internal walls of the building and in the day the sun heated the air in the court, so wind is generated and pressure difference occurs and the hot air in the court goes up and is replaced by the colder one. In night the court saves low temperature inside and doors can be opened to allow ventilation inside the spaces. Passive and flexible heating/cooling systems shall be used due to the extremism of the weather in Aswan which could be freezing in Example of Hassan Fathy’s Courtyard
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winter nights and very hot in summer days. Therefore, the Trombe-wall technique is highly recommended along with the use of shading techniques that make use of the different sun angles in winter and summer, to block summer sun and allow winter sun. 3.2.3 Architectural design for a comfortable micro-climate: A. Buildings Materials: The effect of building materials is tremendous in providing climate comfort. It is recommended in this region to have a minimum wall thickness of 30cm and double walls could be used to provide more heat lag. Limestone is preferred since it has a lower heat absorption coefficient and is found close to the site. B. Buildings Faรงades: Northern faรงades should be well lit to provide light to the internal spaces. The sun comes from this direction only in the morning is almost tangent to the walls. The Eastern & Western Faรงades are recommended to be shaded with shading devices since the heat gain is quickly lost by the evening. The Southern Faรงade is easily treaded in semi equatorial regions using low extruded slabs, since in summer the sun is very high and in winter it gets lower and the sun angle allows it to heat the internal spaces. The Southern Faรงades Treatment In Summer & Winter
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C.Climatic Recommendations:
Psychometric Chart Of Aswan
Architectural Recommendations For Passive Cooling
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3.4 Nubian Anthropology: 3.4.1 Geography & population: Egyptian or Lower Nubia is a 320 km long sector of the Nile Valley between Aswan and Adindan that used to connect Egypt with Sudan. It is crossed by the Tropic of Cancer 67 km south of Aswan near the village of Abu Hor. The Nubian valley is mostly very narrow, lined with mountain slopes, steep above the right bank, gentler on the left one. In places, ancient wadis, dry beds of extinct brooks or small rivers, cut through the slope. Up‐stream of Korosko, 200 km south of Aswan, the valley gets larger and the hills recede, allowing some place for fields Map of Old Egyptian Nubia (Nubian names in Arab transcription)
The Egyptian Nubian population consists of three distinct ethnic groups: 1-The northernmost one, formerly living in the area between Aswan and As‐Sebua, are the Kenuz, descendants of the Nobadae from Graeco‐Roman times. 2- The middle part, Nubian Arab tribes settled down in the 14th century AD in a 30 km long stretch of the Nile Valley lined with hills on the right bank, between Wadi el‐ Arab and as‐Sinqari, cutting the Kenuz off the Fadidja. 3- The Southern Part is settled by the Mahas who often call themselves "Nubi", and are also descendants of the Nobadae. 3.4.2 Settlement pattern: The Old Dam: 1899: 1st attempt to control the yearly flooding of the Nile and facilitate irrigation. 1902: Old Dam “ Aswan Dam” Constructed 1908-1912 , 1929-1934: The dam height was increased until it reached its current height 41m height. The High Dam: 1906 Map Showing The Implications Of The Old Dam On Nubian Land 1960: Gamal AbdelNasser orders the beg 12
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Implication of lake Nasser on the Nubian Heritage: 1- Nubian temples almost disappeared underwater
Philae Temple under water
Ancient Egyptian Temple of Dandara Under water
2- Nubian Villages were submerged under water and more than 50,000 Nubians had to migrate from their homeland.
3- 3 Million date palms were flooded under water. Palms were the main source of income for Nubians 4- The very close bounded social and cultural life fell apart. Migration from the Nile banks: Nubians were forced to abandon their lands off the shores of the Nile and leave to houses built for them by the government, lacking all sociocultural bondings of the Nubian community. The houses were made of stone in the desert and very far away from their original places.
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3.4.3 New Nubia: The hitherto barren desert south‐east of the Upper Egyptian town of Kom Ombo was selected by Egyptian authorities to become a new homeland for the Nubians, resettled from Old Nubia in 1963–1964 (Plate VIII). On demand of the Nubians the living areas of the three main ethnic groups of Ancient Nubia were respected and arranged in their original direction from north to south – the Kenuz, Arabs and Fadidja (Figure 2). In their territories the majority of 43 former administrative units – villages (karyas) with traditional names – were located without a possibility to respect their original relations. Some big villages were divided into two or three administrative units, while some too small ones merged with close bigger ones. Map Showing The Location Of New Nubia Chosen By Egyptian Authorities
The standardized unplastered stone houses, built there in advance for the Nubian families by the Egyptian government , tried to respect by their dimensions the number of family members, but for some families they were too small or too big. In the former case the Nubians started to prolong them . The traditional Nubian ornament decorating houses in Old Nubia could survive in a rather debased form only in houses which were additionally plastered by their owners. Great progress was an elementary school in every village and higher schools in Nasr City, administration centre of New Nubia . Beside health units in villages, a clinic was provided also in Nasr City. Also the police got their headquarters there. No mosques or village houses for meetings and gathering of the villagers could have been built at the beginning, so that people started to build them by themselves after settling down. The intention of the government was to bring the Nubians back to agriculture. Therefore, fossil soil covered by sand in the region was exposed to be cultivated by the settlers. A system of newly dug channels bringing Nile water to the new fields
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was created for irrigation. However, the Nubians frequently leased their acquired fields to Egyptians from the Kom Ombo region who started their cultivation.
Stone Buildings Built By The Egyptian Government
Mud Brick Buldings Of Nubians Before Relocation
3.4.4 General features of social life: Women mainly have two social groups, family and friends. These social groups help in the socio-economic support and information sharing. On the other hand men’s groups are related to the work, socio-economic, friends and family. Men worked in the big cities, while women did most of the house and landwork. Women’s work included: • Baking bread • Fetching water • Cultivating the land • Harvesting dates • Make products from date palm • Create murals • Raise children 3.4.5 Traditions & rituals integrated in daily life:
Nubian woman fetching water for her household
Nubians traditions originate mainly from the Ancient Egyptians, Christianity and Islam. New influences were
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integrated into these traditions. Superstition plays a major role in the life of Nubians and it has a major impact on their lives. 3.4.6 Symbolism of
ornaments in the Nubians culture:
• Stars & crescents
Islamic symbols, good omens
• Crows & owls
Bad omens
• Roses & flowers
Friendship & love
• Apple
Female Attraction
• Sword
Courage & heroic performance
• Jug & prayer rug
Purity & chastity
3.4.7 The Nile in the lives of Nubians: The Nile is considered to be the main source of life for Nubians for thousands of years. They rely upon in on agriculture, fishing, housing with its mud and drinking. There has also been many superstitious myths in the Nubians culture related to the Nile.
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For example, on the 40th day after birth, the mother goes with the baby to the river to wash the baby with the Nile water and throw on herself drops of the Nile water for 40 times, as it is very sacred in their culture. Furthermore, the Nile is believed to be haunted with spirits and supernatural beings. Women would often consult the Nile spirits concerning fertility, land cultivation, marriage and health. Consequently, candy. sugar, perfume or henna were thrown into the river to thank the spirits. Not only good spirits live in the Nile, but there are also evil spirits known as “Dogir�.
3- Potentials in the Nubian Community: A- Architectural Expression
Elevation of a Nubian house
The Nubian community has very delicate, yet simple taste in architectural expression. Nubians are well known for their decorative & colorful housing styles, where natural colors and materials are used.
B- Fashion Potentials: The Nubian people have had their own fashion for thousands of years. It has been developing for a long time till it became a folklore now. Fashion industry is one main arm along with with the educational institute. Ancient Egyptians have used Lenin in their clothing and it had been the finest material and the pride of Egypt until importing the cotton during the Mohamed Ali Pasha Era.
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Thus, having a fabric research center along with designers and workers would make the project a hybrid research, design and production center along with the educational arm of arts and architecture. Egyptian Traditional Fashion
Ancient Egyptian Linen
The aim of this arm would be updating and rebranding the Nubian fashion into an avant grade fashion with clear Nubian essence. Thus exporting it to many places around the world, would enrich the institute and give it a world wide reputation and influence, along with the financial gain and spiritual feeling of pride once again with Nubians heritage.
Potentials of Nubian Avant Garde Fashion
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Potentials of Nubian Avant Garde Fashion
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Keywords
Populous Merging
Humanist Linking
Active Contrasting
Non6Prototypic
Linking
Active/Populous/Non-Prototypic
Merging/Blending
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Compact Surprising
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Mood Board
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Omar AboulNaga
Avant Garde “Aswan� Institute Program: Young Children with basic preparatory education join the preliminary summer courses of the institute along with the organized workshops held on campus, through which students that excel or students that show high potential are given the chance to join the university with accumulative grading. The main mission of the institute is to prepare young artists, architects and fashion designers with the missing link between radical avantgarde along with the humanist touch of one of the very humane and cosy spots in Egypt. The main focus would be on the neglected youth and talents of upper Egyptians along with African and Middle Eastern talents that deserve to be given an in-exclusive chance to portray their natural gifts. The complex does not include any sort of spoon feeding and is completely liberal in case of educational programs. The institute shall also be a an international think tank of artists and designers world wide where the diversity of those would enrich the complexity on campus.
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Program
Area(m2)
1.#Educational#Arm 1.1#4#Fashion#Design#Studios 1.2#4#Architecture#Design#Studios 1.3#4#Central#Library 1.4#4#Computer#Lab 1.5#4#Fabrics#Research#Lab 1.6#4#Experimental#Archi.#Research#Lab
4600 3x400 3#x#600 800 200 200 200
2.#Exhibition# 2.1#4#Orientation#&#Info.#Hall 2.2#4#Interactive#Exhibition 2.3#4#Seminar#Hall
2200 400 600 2x600
3.#Commercial#&#production#Arm 3.3#4#Music#Production#Studio 3.4#4#Filmmaking#Studio 3.5#4#Metal#&#Wood#Workshop 3.6#4#Model#Workshop
1200 200 400 300 300
5.#Administration 5.1#4#Campus#Head#Department# 5.2#4#Finance#&#Legal#Department 5.3#4#ITC#Department 5.4#4#Marketing#Department
800 200 200 200 200
6.#Technical#&#Service#Units 6.1#4#Ofiices 6.2#4#Security#Unit 6.3#4#Inventory 6.4#4#Health#Department
1200 300 300 300 300
Net Area = 9800m Total Area = 1.2* 9800= 11760 (Including Services+ Circulation)
Omar AboulNaga
Zoning Of Current Conceptual Model
Conceptual Model
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Extras: AA School System: -Architecture Association in London: *The AA which has been founded by troublesome students in the 19th century has shaped our present drastically. *The AA is the prefect example of a an educational platform which has acted as the “ the nexus of conglomeration of contemporary architectural culture, as well as its pasts” *85% of full time students come from abroad the UK, “creating a setting for a global discussion, debate and exchange of architectural ideas”. *Organisation The Undergraduate School is organized as follows: • The First Year (year one of study) • Intermediate School (years two and three of study) • Diploma School (years four and five of study) • First Year: • First Year (year one of study) is a studio-based teaching environment. It offers a broad introduction to the study of architecture and develops the students’ conceptual abilities, knowledge base and fundamental skills, in preparation for entering the unit- based Intermediate School. *The Unit System: Unit system: The unit system operates in the Intermediate and Diploma Schools and is organized to provide a diversity of architectural interests, agendas and topics for investigation, discourse and resolution. Most units are co- taught by a pair of academic staff (Unit Masters/Tutors). Each unit is limited to approximately 12 students from both years of study (Intermediate units: 2nd/3rd Year, Diploma units: 4th/5th Year). The unit system provides every student with a high level of tutor contact time and learning is enriched by the influence of different years studying together. Design projects form the core of the unit work, supported by lectures, seminars, juries, presentations and workshops arranged within the unit. All learning is 24
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documented in the form of the unit portfolio compiled by the student over the course of the academic year based upon tutorials and guidance by the Unit Masters/Tutors. *Intermediate School The Intermediate School (years two and three of study) provides the basis for experimentation and project development within the structure of the unit system. There are fifteen units in the Intermediate School (2015-16). Students in the Third Year who have undertaken Second Year studies at the AA School are required to take a different unit in their Third Year to best broaden their pedagogical experience. Integral to the Intermediate unit design studio is the Complementary Studies Program. *Diploma School The Diploma School (years four and five of study) offers the opportunity for the consolidation of individual students’ architectural knowledge, skills and experimentation within the structure of the unit system. There are fifteen units in the Diploma School (2015-16). Diploma students are encouraged to challenge their own preconceptions, as well as build upon their existing knowledge and skills. Integral to the Diploma unit design studio is the Complementary Studies Program. - UCL
- SCI-ARC - ETH Zurich - University Of Tokyo - Harvard University - Haraneya Art Center (methodology-institution-development)
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