Based on the debate continuously raised by architects and theorists regarding the dilemma of “form Vs function”, it is important to reflect on the issue in regards of contemporary architecture. Stemming from Le Corbusier’s manifesto, “The house is a machine to live in”, many interpretations have been made, with one group arguing the importance of demolishing all aspects other than functionality when dealing with an architectural addition to the built environment. The other group adopt the philosophy that “International Architecture” was tailored for a specific time, which has to be dir-regarded now in order to fulfill contemporary architectural needs. The debate which the paper will discuss is based on understanding the origins from which the competition between form and functions stemmed. The paper also questions whether form is currently a function in the era of Globalization in the shadows of branding and starchitects signature designs. This debate will be reflected on major iconic buildings in Egypt; The Grand Egyptian Museum, Museum of Egyptian Civilization and Alexandria Bibliotheca. Those three cases were specifically selected since they were major state-led competitions which influenced the trends of architecture in Egypt for decades. The methodology of the paper is based on primarily explaining the origins of the manifestos by pioneer architects calling for the victory of function over form. Following that, a discussion based on critical observations from contemporary architecture will be presented to show how form is currently considered a function, especially when politicians aim to produce iconic architecture. Finally, the three case studies will be analyzed according to the relevance of form to function and how the iconic effect produced influences after completion. The case study will demonstrate that form and function are the two sides of one coin, and instead of urging to prove one is prior to the other, it is more important fulfill what the goals of the architectural product.
Green architecture is considered the contemporary architectural paradigm. Amid threats of the lack of non-renewable energy, the calls for environmental sustainability and sustainable development, being ‘green’ is becoming an aspiration as well as a threat for many architects. Architects to a wide extent are required to adopt one sort of being ‘green’ in their contemporary additions to the built environment. However, very limited differentiations are subjected to the difference between ‘sustainable architecture’, ‘environmentally-friendly architecture’, and ‘green architecture’. This is one side of the debate; however, the most important side is, whether this new trend in contemporary Egyptian architecture is a need, a movement, or merely a style. The other important query is whether ‘sustainable architecture’ is becoming a commodity to fulfill international claims regardless of how it is implemented. In order to answer those questions, the paper first presents the differences between notions of ‘green architecture’, ‘sustainable architecture’ and ‘environmentally-friendly architecture’ and based on literature review as well as observations from international precedents. Afterwards, those three notions are explored and analyzed in the Egyptian context to understand where precisely the claimed sustainable or environmentally friendly buildings in Egypt stand in relation to the outcomes of the literature review. Finally, the need for following those notions in Egypt are re-questioned, in order to explore whether the claims for sustainability are becoming a commodity, especially in the shadows of the misuse of previously discussed slogans.
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