Hassan Fathy, Earth & Utopia
Get lost in the pages of a good book—it’s the soul of any room.
Hassan Fathy, Earth & Utopia
by Salma Samar Damluji & Viola Bertini
Laurence King
“We are not concerned with the people with millions. We are concerned with those who earn millimes,” said the late Hassan Fathy (1900-1989), Egypt’s best-known 20th-century architect. Known for his commitment to designing for the rural poor, his legacy as a humanitarian and architect is brought to life in this critical new volume – the very first on Fathy.
Organised in two parts, ‘The Culture and Philosophy’ and ‘Design, Planning and Earth Construction’, the book’s 368 pages and 450 illustrations present a man far ahead of his time and yet acutely aware of his present.
The excellent interviews conducted by the author, together with the photographs and drawings from the Hassan Fathy archives and Fathy’s own writings are all compelling, but it’s Salma Samar Damluji’s ‘Personal Encounter’ essay that steals the show with its reflections. Another fine essay is Viola Bertini’s ‘Watercolours: The Logic and Poetics of Representation’, which explains Fathy’s research on the techniques, materials and forms that might define an architectural language to investigate Egypt’s ‘identity’.
This book is an absolute must-have for the library of anyone interested in architecture, design and sustainability, and the importance of social and political justice via these fields.
The Latest
Serenity and Soul
Blending Aman’s signature serenity with the cultural soul of Saudi Arabia, Amansamar emerges as a bold new destination for design-led living and hospitality
Quiet Luxury
The Bernhardt brand brings understated elegance and enduring craftsmanship through Interiors in the UAE
Transform Your Living Space
Renowned designer Antonio Citterio introduces a new paradigm in contemporary seating through the Loungescape sofa
Inside Hobb
We speak with the founder of Hobb, Haifa Malhas, about building a bookstore and a community centred around love for design
Revealed: The venue and date for the identity Design Awards 2025
Save the date for the much awaited gala night.
Conscious design, textural sophistication, and seasonal comfort: What Crate & Barrel and CB2 bring to the GCC with New Stores and Collection
With fresh openings in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Crate & Barrel and CB2 unveil Fall/Winter collections that blends tactile design, sustainability, and exclusive collaborations, bringing global style closer to regional homes.
Surface Appeal
Global surfaces leader Cosentino launches four new quartzite options in the Sensa range
Dubai Design Week 2025 reveals an exciting 11th edition programme
Taking place from 4-9 November 2025, Dubai Design Week this year centres around community.
Rooted in Stillness
Casa Tranquilo by DADO offers an immersive retreat into nature
Treetop Sanctuary
The Ritz-Carlton’s intimate treetop retreat offers a rare invitation to connect deeply with nature and culture
Desert Counterpoint
In Summerlin, Nevada, Faulkner Architects and Concept Lighting Lab have revealed a desert home that withstands extremities
On Building to Last
We interview selected architects and interior designers to talk about balancing permanence and progress across their projects