Hassan Fathy’s Design Efforts for New Gourna

Abstract

Gourna is a village located on the site of the Tomb of the Nobles that forms a part of Thebes’ ancient cementary which can now be found in Luxor, Egypt. This village that boasts of a population of seven thousand was re-developed by Hassan Fathy through his housing project. The design stands out due to the usage of traditional techniques, materials and the use of vernacular architectural solutions. The traditional wisdom, technical know-how and understanding of the natural environment have helped to shape strategies for development. Consequently, it has generated a cost-effective and ecologically sustainable building ethos that is a necessary element of the community. New Gourna village, an experimental earthen village on the West Bank of the Nile, is a testament to how the relationship between heritage and society is often fraught with multiple meanings and conflicting values.”