Designing Modernity: Architecture in the Arab World 1945-1973

Description

(Bilingual Edition: English / Arabic) Designing Modernity: Architecture in the Arab World 1945–1973 is the result of a fascinating investigation by international experts into the influences of modernist architecture in the Arab world. Nine case studies provide the foundation for a thorough exploration of the relevant cultural-historical, sociopolitical, climatic and demographic aspects. Questions concerning the region’s reciprocal relationship with modernist architecture in the period from 1945 to 1973 are investigated through the biographies of selected buildings and building complexes from Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt and Morocco. Texts, contemporary images, architectural drawings and archival material are used to document the process from commissioning and design through to completion and building use. Contents PREFACE. Acquiring and Producing (New) Knowledge. Reflection through Relation and Understanding Introduction. Designing Modernity Authors Morocco Sidi Harazem Thermal Bath Complex, 1959–1975 Architect: Jean-François Zevaco. A Post-Independence Icon Egypt Garden Suburbs, Cairo 1940s–1950s Architect: Mahmoud Riad. Early Experiments with Subsidized Housing New Gourna Village, 1942–1952 Architect: Hassan Fathy. A Vision of Self-Building Nasr City Housing Model 33, Cairo 1959–1960 Architect: Sayed Karim. Raising the Middle Class Lebanon Electricité du Liban Headquarters, Beirut 1964–1971 Architect: CETA (Aractingi, Neema, Conan and Nassar). Hope on the Horizon Kuwait National Museum, Kuwait City 1960–1983 Architect: Michel Ecochard. Cultural Nation Building Palestine Al Mashrou', Jericho 1949–1967 Architect/ Initiator: Musa Alami/ Arab Development Society. The Farm as Utopian Pedagogy Iraq Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad 1965–1971 Architect: kahtan Awni. Architecture as Urbanism Syria Damascus International Fair and its Monument, 1950s–1960s Architects: Nizar Al-Farra et al. A Modern Public City Space Jordan Al-Hussein Youth City, Amman 1962–1968 Architect: Munce and Kennedy. Sports and Culture for a New Nation