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Vital Signs
Project: A Tale of Two Houses
During the last decade the impact of current socio-economic and cultural changes on
traditional environments has become obvious (Brown, 1973). As a mega city with multiple
functions and accomplishments, Cairo (Figure 1) has been stimulated by the influence of a
series of "grand political and cultural designs" (Ibrahim, 1982: pp. 25, italics
added). Constant population growth and necessary adaptations to the needs of a modern
society led to circumventing Cairo's traditional architecture with parallel contemporary
and modern structures (Abu-Lughod, 1971). This resulted in a mosaic composed of the
interaction of traditional (Classical), and contemporary (Modern) architecture. This rich
and diverse architectural fabric, between the inherited and the acquired, provides a
unique setting for investigating the interaction between people and their built
environment. Specifically, the different effects of traditional and contemporary
environmental strategies used to provide indoor comfort and delight for the building's
occupants (Heschong, 1979).
 Figure
1: A map showing Egypt's location relative to the USA. The inset map shows the size of
Egypt compared to the United States.
Cairo lies in the hot arid geographical region, located at 29'52N latitude and 31'20
longitude (Figure 2). Cairene buildings existing in this region, are subjected to annual
as well as diurnal outdoor temperature differentials (Table 1). This fluctuation in the
outdoor temperatures create an environmental conflict in determining dwelling orientation,
form, and the resulting urban fabric (Mehta, 1989). Relying on an interpretation of
traditional precedents, the internationally known Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy,
responded to this climatic challenge using three design strategies leading to
neo-traditional architectural language: (1) high thermal mass materials such as earth and
natural stone, (2) the courtyard house prototype, and (3) the use of traditional
architectural elements, such as lattice wood shutters (Mashrabiyas), wind traps, and domes
and vaults as roofing elements (Figure 3) (Steele, 1989). On the other hand, western and
international standards, were adopted by other contemporary architects imposing a new form
of Modern high style architectural compositions. These compositions are characterized by
their lighter (but insulated) building fabric coupled with large glass areas and open
spaces with flat roofs (Mehta, 1989). Indoor comfort conditions are achieved through
cross-ventilation strategies and the use of mechanical equipment. To investigate the
thermal behavior and users satisfaction with their indoor thermal environment in
neo-traditional and contemporary modern buildings, this study was conducted on a sample of
both environments.
 Figure 2: A map of Egypt
showing Cairo and vicinity. (47 K JPEG)
This study reports on a comparative analysis of indoor environmental quality, perceived
thermal comfort, and energy conservation between a Hassan Fathy's neo-traditional house
and a contemporary modern house in Cairo (Figure 4 & 5). Both houses were sampled
according to their size, location, and representation of a building type and style (see
Methodology). Previous research examining the efficiency and energy conservation of Hassan
Fathy's houses in Egypt face a number of limitations. First, when comparing the building's
behavior, the analysis is either based on computer simulations or on normative theories of
air movement and heat gain by the building's surfaces (Fathy, 1986). The actual
temperatures, relative humidity, and other climatic conditions outside and inside the
buildings were seldom measured to evaluate the building's thermal behavior (Gabriel &
Garda, 1989). Second, previous studies concentrated on the analysis of the building's
physical performance, while neglecting the effect of the occupants' attitudes, perceptions
of comfort, needs or "wants" (Rapoport, 1969; 1990).
Table 1: Temperature and Winds Profile - Cairo, Egypt
| Latitude (Deg. N.) |
29'52 N |
| Longitude (Deg. W) |
31'20 E |
| Winter T (C) |
7 (C) |
| Summer wet T |
23 (C) |
| Summer dry T |
37 (C) |
| Prevailing Winds |
N-NW |
Moreover, the "fit" between Hassan Fathy's environment and the user's life
style was never explored in detail. Finally, there is a gap in the literature concerning
detailed comparative analysis of environmental quality between Hassan Fathy's houses and
contemporary modern ones.
To address these limitations in the existing literature, this study examined two sites.
These two sites were selected because of their similar physical size and location, yet
different building approach (Traditional vs. Modern). |
