in Egypt when the country was transforming into a tourist
destination in the late 1980s and early 90s. El Gouna marked
the turning point in Egypt’s tourism and in our career,
so I think it [deserved] a better look from the Aga Khan
Award jury.”
The architects cite Sawaris as a visionary client unlike the
majority of clients across the country who, they said, ne-
glect architectural consultation and solely focus on building
in bulk. Contrastingly, the client behind El Gouna was able
to create a harmonious urban landscape through his choice
of complementary architects, like American architect
Michael Graves.
“Since Fathy, working with the vernacular became fashion-
able,” El Dahan said. “When Graves started working on hotels
in El Gouna, he liked our work and chose us to become his lo-
cal consultants. He imitated our work in his own way.”
With three exemplary cultural projects under their belt,
El Dahan and Farid went on to complete a large portfolio of
hotels along the Red Sea and the Gulf, as well as other com-
mercial and residential projects, predominantly in Egypt.
Yet, regardless of the sector, Fathy’s teachings, techniques
and energy are visible throughout their body of work.
“Fathy would always tell us, ‘in our work we search for the
implicit, not the arbitrary’, which means there is always a
right solution,” said Farid. “It is not the only solution, but it
has to be the right one. It has to have a ‘raison d’etre’, a reason
for being.”24 / COVER STORY