The Aga Khan Award for Architecture

Mansoura University, Faculty of Engineering

Department of Architecture

Over view of 10 project

Pre- Master2014

Safa Mohamed AL-Saeed

Résidence Andalous

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Résidence AndalousSousse, TunisiaApartment HotelArchitects: Serge SantelliParis, FranceCompleted:1980Award: 1983

Project summery :1. Type of structure :The building is bearing structure , made up

of cast concrete walls 18cm , thick.Foundation : concrete slab foundation Floors : They are made of slabs of

reinforced concrete .2. Materials:Partitions: interior partitions rooms are of

hollow brick.Floor coverings : local material origin.Stone of”keddel type”,marbleCeiling covering: painted wood of tunnis

houses.Facades : “rustic style”Joinery : wood, traditionally made.

3. Construction Technology : The bearing walls were cast on the spot

between two metal forms; the reservation necessary for openings were placed between the forms . Then the slabs ,previously made on the spot ,were hoisted and set in place on the bearing structure .

• The partitions and lining-walls were constructed of hollow brick in the tradition manner .

• All components of the structure were made on spot .

• Two cranes had to be set up for pacing the metal .

• The Labor used was 100% Tunisian ; 20% of workers were skilled ,80% unskilled.

Design Features:It maybe truthfully said that this is an exemplary project .The integration into the existing site is good ,the building is not high , and volumes and masses are diversified .The prevailing colures of the site are the dark ochre of the soil and the dark green of the tufts of vegetation .The colures selected for apartment hotel are softer; light ochre for the walls and facades ,green for the wood work , windows and shutters.The relationships between the built –up masses and the empty spaces (patios) are very well balanced.The design of the facades reflects great mastery of composition .The connecting passages are well differentiated from the interior courtyards .They are relatively narrow , with well-designed details ,and make the walk from one patio to another a varied and interesting one .

Résidence Andalous

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Kaedi Regional Hospital

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Kaedi Regional Hospital Kaedi, MauritaniaArchitects: Association pour le Développement naturel d’une Architecture et d’un Urbanisme AfricainsCompleted:1989Award: 1995

Project summery :1. Type of structure :The hospital structural system can not be considered traditional system in Kaedi , but the architect developed structural local vocabularies , such as bricks locally produced.

Structural elements:a. Simple domes :built without form work

on a circular plan, using rotation guides to direct bricklaying.

Function: medical areas , toilets , stores.

b. Complex domes: also built rotating guides providing a number of spaces , including :

1.Oves or tear-shaped spaces, used as four-bed wards or consultation rooms.

2.Lentilles or pod-shaped spaces , used as consultation rooms.

c. A repetition of slender self supporting pointed arches ,covering corridors .

d. A series of radiating pointed arches , used as the four 16-bed wards of the hospital.

e. A series of smaller niche-like forms radiation , consultation rooms.

2. Materials :The construction technology derived from the availability of soils that were suitable for the production of fired bricks, and the availability of rice husks A waste product from the

processing of locally cultivated rice .Labor Force:

Fundamental to the program was the training of skilled workers in innovative techniques adopted for both materials production and .construction

Kaedi Regional Hospital

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B.2

C

D

A B.1

Kaedi Regional Hospital

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Design Features:Having establish a structural system that served the specific functional requirements for the medical services on offer ,the overall massing of the building responds to the spatial needs of each department without any apparent to a formal architectural vocabulary.A number of detailed aspects of the design seem to have been neglected , For example:a. The junction of the arched corridors of the extension with the

rectilinear form of existing hospital are clumsy. b. The detailing around the external doors that lead from wards,

although practical, is crude, and detracts from the simplicity of the forms of the domes .

A more satisfactory visual result , that was also practical and climatically effective, must have been possible.

Tanjong Jara Beach Hotel and Rantau Abang Visitors’ Centre

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Tanjong Jara Beach Hoteland Rantau Abang Visitors’ Centre Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaArchitects: Wimberly, Whisenand, Allison, Tong and Goo .... U.S.A.Completed:1980Award : 1983

Project summery :1. Type of structure :Post and beam construction in the

traditional ethnic style .Roofs : carried by timber trusses, and are

covered with local traditional clay tiles on hard wood battens and rafter.

Walls : filled timber panels between columns with natural wax finish .

2. Materials:Infill: All partitions were timber locally

produced Rendering of Facades: Timber locally

produced, glass imported Floor : Timber locally producedCeilings : Timber locally producedInteriors and Exterior Roofs :clay tiles

locally produced.

3. Construction Technology :Timber frame construction with high level

of manual labor; no crafts or lifts. The design provided an outlet for the

utilization of the wood construction craftsmen who were available and familiar with this medium of construction.

The Lumber was milled on site and a carpentry shop and saw mill was established for the duration of the project . Columns , beams and trusses were fabricated on site . Timber carved panels and mould rings were fabricated elsewhere.

The tiles were kilned in the nearby villages and were supplied through a local contractor .

Tanjong Jara Beach Hotel and Rantau Abang Visitors’ Centre

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Design Features:The hierarchy of spaces from the public to the private is controlled, one bridges into the other in transitional sequence . The topography and the landscaping provide the integrating rhythm. The service areas in the front and the public areas around the lagoon while the private areas face the sea .The spatial integration is provided by the rambling landscaped pathways.The choice of materials, the warmth of wood , the friendly informality of cane and wicker was suitable for the site nature.The architectural structural and geometric purity of the native building from has been preserved.

Tomb of Shah Rukn-i-’Alam

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Tomb of Shah Rukn-i-’AlamMultan, Pakistan Architects: Muhammad Wali Ullah Khan...(Awqaf Department) Lahore, PakistanCompleted:1977Award : 1983

Project summery :1. Type of structure :A construction of burnt bricks laid in mud

mortar with sloping walls and corner turrets strengthened with a frame work of horizontal and vertical wooden beams.

The whole is surmounted by a hemispherical dome externally finished with a thick coat of lime plaster .

On the apex of the dome is a lantern instead of a usual pinnacle.

2. Materials:Foundation :stone and brick.Walls :backed brick and timber.

Roofing : plaster

Other special features :partly tiled in blue, white and turquoise tile.

3. Construction Technology : Brick construction strengthened with wooden bonding laid horizontally

and vertically .The framed spaces are filled with dressed

brick work laid in mud mortar. Labor:

The architect set about reemployment of traditional craftsmen who had inherited through their family some knowledge of 14 of the building crafts used in this building which had largely fallen into disuse or had become seriously altered with time.

Design Features:The technical quality of the repair the moment is remarkable . Only the keenest eye can tell the difference between the restored parts and the original. The brick and tile restoration falls little short of perfection.The colors of the tiles have been matched perfectly and, like the original.The wood carving is equally superb ,if not quite matching the artistic sense of the original ,since it was executed more mechanically , match in color and overall appearance is other wise perfect.The architect has given an excessively new appearance by designing a new main door to the tomb and a new outer portico to its enclosure.

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Tomb of Shah Rukn-i-’Alam

Alhamra Arts Council

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Alhamra Arts CouncilLahore, Pakistan Architects: Nayyar Ali Dada Lahore, PakistanCompleted:1992Award : 1998

Project summery :1. Type of structure :R.C.C frame construction with steel pipe scaffolding and steel plate shuttering.

Foundation : reinforced concrete .Principal structural members :concrete column

and beam framed structure.2. Materials:Infill :hand made hollow brick walls.Exterior finishes :exposed brick work in lime and

SURKHI mortar.Floors :Terrazzo floors.Ceiling : Acoustic plaster ceiling in auditorium

with no false ceiling in other areas.Roofing : steel trusses above auditorium with tin

sheet roofing, galleries and admin block have R.C.C roofing.

3. Construction Technology : The building of Alhamra are made of cast-

in-place concrete with a handmade red brick with traditional local mortar.

The structural concrete used in the roof was left exposed on the inside.

The theatre halls are covered with steel trusses, light tin sheet roofing, and special acoustic treatments of exposed wood or plaster.

The only challenge for the contractors were the inclined walls.

Vertical reinforced concrete buttresses were used inside the wall to support the inclined walls, along with steel pipe scaffolding and steel plate sheering .

All the consultant and contractors were local enterprises.

Design Features:The building represents an outstanding example or contemporary building built in exposed brick ,making a powerful statement reflecting the local tradition.

The building provides accommodation for 850 seats with all necessary facilities for stage and musical shows.The building reflects the aspirations of the people as a monument of art and culture.

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Alhamra Arts Council

Azem Palace

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Azem Palace Damascus, Syria Apartment HotelArchitects: Michel EcochardParis, France--- Shafiq al-ImamDamascus, SyriaCompleted:1954Award: 1983

Project summery :Historical background:It was a residence for one of the last great

Ottoman governors of the province of Damascus, Assad al-Azem Pasha, that the Azem palace was originally built in the mid-eighteenth century.

1. Type of structure :Load bearing wallsMaterials:Walls :squared coursed limestone ,

sometimes patterned.Foundation :stone , in lime and ash mortarRoofing : clay over earth on wood ,clay

over concrete on wood, or bituminous felt on concrete over wood.

Other special : Fine patterned and striped stone floors and courtyard features paving.

3. Construction Technology :The architect tried to ascertain the original

condition of the building and the original techniques by which it was constructed.

The architect acquired stones and decorations which brought from other buildings of the same period.

The destroyed upper stories were built in new materials and plastered.

The roofs were constructed in original way, but instead of having a layer of soil over the ceiling reinforced concrete slab was introduced .

The parapet was covered with traditional plaster and the roof surface was finished with clay over the top of the reinforced concrete.

Design Features:The restoration dose not follow the original design exactly , but this dose not seriously detract from the general effect of theses rooms of the palace as a whole .

The palace and the museum are quite successful in attaching many national visitors eager to learn how previous generations used to live and getting proud of the monuments of their past , which is contribution to the country’s cultural identity.

Azem Palace

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The palace in 1950

Restoration of al-Aqsa Mosque

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Restoration of al-Aqsa Mosque Al-Haram al-Sharif, Jerusalem RestorationArchitects: Isam Awwad, Jerusalem,ICCROM -- Rome, ItalyCompleted:1983Award: 1986

Project summery :Historical background:Al-Aqsa Mosque was built by the Umayyad Khalif Al Walid in 711. Following the earthquake, the Abbasid Khalif Al-Mahdi rebuilt the mosque with major changes in its dimensions.

Anther earthquake occurred at the time of the Fatimayyad Khalif Al-Zaher who restored the hypostyle structure in 1034.Tremendous changes occurred during the crusader occupation between the 1099-1187.From the major of Salahdin which followed in the 12th century till now the size and plan of the mosque did not basically change.

Following fire in the mosque in 1969 which damaged the painting and the timber construction of the dome.

1. Materials:Except for very limited special chemical

materials ( raisins, adhesives, coating, etc.) , marble or some marble mosaic

of specific color , and finally the gold leaves ,almost all materials were local.

2. Restoration work : The restoration of the dome :Three different works can be identified :a. Improvement of the outer dome covering :

replacing the silver colored aluminum sheets ,and putting back the original covering material which was lead.

b. Restoration of the timber structure : phase of the restoration of the inner dome and new timber perfectly adjusted.

c. Restoration of the paintings : the damage caused by fire being dramatically large. It was only after the complete removal of re-painted layers .

Design Features:The appropriation of all the Haram area by careful restoration, landscaping and re-use of spaces and monuments which have a specific symbolic value for the Muslim community.The improvement of the quality of structures including the covered mosque of Al-Aqsa and the dome of the rock , giving them back their authentic and intrinsic architectural and artistic value which were seriously menaced by carless “ restorations”.

Restoration of al-Aqsa Mosque

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The dome before & after restoration

Yaama Mosque

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Yaama Mosque Yaama, Niger Architects: Falké BarmouIllela-Yaama, NigerCompleted:1982Award: 1986

Project summery :1. Type of structure :Rows of closely spaced and large-

dimension column(1 to 3/3.5) on which rested short beam, covered by closely placed branches laid along varying angles to support the mud roof.

2. Materials:Sun-dried brick and wood. The wood is

of all possible kinds: trunks or split trunks of various trees including, but not exclusively, palm trees ; poles sticks and branches; planks.

Mortar for rendering is made of mud into which various agricultural and/or animal waste products are mixed for various purposes.

Part of the mosque has been rendered in cement stabilized mortar, finished with a lime-wash.

3. Construction Technology : The technology employed is commonly

used in the region.Bricks were made by the villagers .Mud for mortar was extracted then

prepared on site .Labor:Villagers acting as unskilled labor.

Design Features:From the technical point of view the mosque's design is partly conventional, partly innovative within its context . Its basic structure is simple ,even if it was built by subsequent modifications, extensions and additions . The final result is homogeneous design.Treatment of masses and volumes is technically speaking conventional and simple.Details however indicate an unusually marked individual search for experimentation and variety especially where structural elements (roofing support system) and plastic quality are concerned.Integration into the site and the built environment is harmonious.

Yaama Mosque

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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Ministry of Foreign AffairsRiyadh, Saudi ArabiaArchitects: Henning LarsenCopenhagen, DenmarkCompleted:1984Award: 1989

Project summery :1. Type of structure :Foundation: reinforced pad and strip

foundations.Principal structural members: Double external walls: the exterior

brownstone veneer itself ( Cerma Mora from Italy) and a concrete slab . There is a small air cavity in between.

Columns and beams: prefabricated steel.Floor: composite floors (steel decking and

85cm layer of concrete ).The construction grid is 7.2*4.8m.2. Materials:External facades : marble cladding.Facades in courtyards : painted in

sophisticated blues , mauves and ochre .

Floors: Office areas: carpets.Public areas: green and white marble tiles.Ceiling: suspended gypsum boards and

painted white.Roofing : high density isolation with

marble/concrete tiles.3. Construction Technology :All concrete is cast in site.All prefabricated elements are fabricated

else where.

Design Features:Consummate care has gone into many of the smaller parts of the building to insure that major themes are expressed appropriately .For example , the gypsum board walls with the notion of protected citadel. Given this level of care , it is disturbing to come across crude aluminum door frames juxtaposed with fine with fine “Mashrabiyya” screen, and very banal “Islamic Ornament” handled in a hackneyed and inappropriate way as if the screens were pictures on a wall.It turns out that some of these “faults” were introduced beyond the architect’s control.

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Corniche Mosque

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Corniche MosqueJeddah, Saudi ArabiaApartment HotelArchitects: Abdel Wahed El-WakilLondon, United KingdomCompleted:1986-1989Award: 1989

Project summery :1. Type of structure :Foundation : reinforced concrete.Principal structure members: load bearing

brick.2. Materials:Exterior finishes: plaster rendered with

cement.Floors: marble or terracotta.Ceilings : on site curved plaster for flat

ceiling.Roofing : vault and dome in brick work.

3. Design Features:These mosques borrow features found in

both monumental and vernacular Islamic architecture as it has been expressed over the past 900 years.

None of these features particularly pertains to the Saudi tradition as such, but their combination and inventive reshuffling seek to express university rather then particularism ; the architect has been described these structures as sculptures.