مختارات من عمارة العالم العربي 1914-2014 (ص 36)

غرض

عنوان

مختارات من عمارة العالم العربي 1914-2014 (ص 36)

المحتوى

Arab East Africa
Architecture in Sudan 1900-2014;
An Endeavor Against the Odds’
Dr. Omer S. Osman
Dr. Ibrahim 2. Bahreldin
Dr. Amira O.S. Osman
Introduction
Scant information exists on the subject of architectural heritage
in Sudan in the pre-colonial era, namely before 1898. This article
provides a brief history of the architecture of Sudan through the
construction of an eco-systemic base, which incorporates relevant
dimensions of the country's local culture that influenced its built
culture. The study is meant to help fill the lacunae existing in the
knowledge of Sudanese architectural history, architectural research,
place-making and the interpretation thereof.
Early Colonial Architecture (1900 ~ 1920)
Since the last decade of the 19th century, there is strong evidence
that the invading British architectural practice was under the influ-
ence of the modernist movement, initiated by the construction of the
Crystal Palace in London in 1851.
Herbert Kitchener (the first Governor-General of Sudan) did not
believe that indigenous construction techniques were suitable for
the necessary civic edifices and housing facilities for the new rul-
ers, who needed facilities comparable to the standards they were
accustomed to ~ be it in Britain or in Egypt. Despite the fact that
Sudan was under Anglo-Egyptian Condominium Rule, British culture
was the dominating element in that period. The British had the upper
hand both in town planning and in architecture; they supplied the
engineérs, whilst builders were mostly recruited from Egypt. This
process led to a transformation of the construction industry in the
twentieth century, a transformation that was extremely significant,
yet very slow in pace, due to the recession caused by World War One.
in regards to town planning, Kitchener employed a renowned town
planner of the period, W.H. Mclean, to prepare the first master plan
for the capital, Khartoum, Mclean was much influenced by Ebenezer
Howard, the creator of the garden-city concept.
Concurrently with the renovation task of his Governal Palace,
Kitchener called for funds to build an educational institute in com-
memoration of his predecessor, the late General Charles George
Gordon. The job of designing the main building was assigned to
Fabricious Pasha, the architect for the Khedive of Egypt, who
completed the building in April 1899. Lieutenant George Frederick
Gorringe, a self-educated architect, was then assigned the job of
producing the architectural details and supervising construction of
the Gordon Memorial College which was inaugurated in February
1902 by Lord Kitchener, a year in advance of the completion of the
construction,
Another significant building of which Kitchener oversaw the con-
struction was All Saints Cathedral. Except for the elegant tower that
was demolished by the current Islamist rulers in Sudan, the cathedral,
designed by Robert Weir Schultz, still stands as one of the finest
buildings of the early colonial period. In addition to administrative,
educational and public service facilities, the colonialists were obliged
to consider the wishes of the predominantly Muslim population. In
that respect, the Khartoum Central Mosque was erected at the same
time as the first batch of colonial buildings. The mosque is situated
in the middle of Abbas Square, which occupies a central plot in
Kitchener's plan of the town.
Late Colonial Architecture (1921-1956)
By the 1950s, the colonial authorities had started training local
recruits to assist the foreign experts and learn from them. This
helped fill the gap in skills in the construction domain, which had,
until that moment been lacking. The architectural heritage of the
closing years of condominium rule could be said to be represented
by two buildings that have very little in common: the Farouq Mosque
in Khartoum (1951) and the Omdurman Municipality (1954). The two
buildings, though both built by the bi-partite authority, depict very
different architectural approaches and conflicting cultural attitudes.
This could be attributed to the very different functions they were
meant to serve.
The Egyptian government financed, prepared the design, and built
the mosque that carries the name of the Egyptian king of the day, King
Farouq. Although only half the size of the solemn and prestigious
mosque in Abbas Square, the Farouq Mosque is nevertheless an aes-
thetically-pleasing building. Omdurman Municipality was designed by
D.H. Mathews Ariba and British influence is shown in the details of the
building. It is a composite structure with massive exposed brick walls
as well as large spans indoors where reinforced concrete columns
are used.
The Post-Independence Era (1956 ~ 2000)
After independence in 1956, Sudan faced an era of unrest and uncer-
tainty that had a negative impact on almost every aspect of life. The
political scene was in turmoil and consequently most developmental
plans were brought to a total halt. Under such conditions, the priority
for the new government was to consolidate the integrity and unity of
the country, at the expense of development.
Following this period, the contribution of the architect Fartinal La
Vangia, as chief architect for the Ministry of Transport, was positive
and well-documented, particularly in reference to the Sudan Hotel.
This finely built structure faces the Blue Nile, close to the confluence
of the two Niles, and is still considered one of the finest architectural
features in the capital. The Public Works Department continued to
lead architecture practice in Sudan after the country's independ-
ence. The Aboulela Commercial Building (1956) in the Khartoum
Central Business District (CBD) occupies an outstanding location
and character and is the most notable example of the architecture of
the Public Works Department. The building was designed by George
Stefanidis, a well-qualified architect, and exhibits the characteristics
that came to define modern architecture in Sudan.
When American aid programs commenced in 1958, Khartoum's
first architectural private consultancy was opened. Peter Muller,
an Austrian architect who had graduated from a school in Paris, in
partnership with Robert Ayoub, a structural engineer from Lebanon,
had the lion's share of the aid projects. The most prominent of these
projects by Muller and his team is the Khartoum Senior Trade School
as well as several other trade schools in the province. Additionally,
the team designed the Sudan National Museum, the Bata Factory
and several apartment blocks for government officials.
The Department of Architecture, at the University of Khartoum
was established in 1957. In the ensuing years; this Department
became a main center of architectural education in the region. During
his time as the first head of this department, Professor Alick Potter
designed various minor buildings for the University, mainly residen-
tial villas and apartment blocks. Nevertheless, his Examination Hall
remains an outstanding architectural benchmark for generations
to come.
Before the 19605, architecture by Sudanese architects was
scarce as most architects working in the country were foreign, for
example Peter Muller, George Stefanidis, Alick Potter and Miles
Danbi. However, from 1962 onwards, there was a great construc-
tion boom initiated by massive demand for housing in the new
Khartoum extensions, and this created increased need for the ser-
vices of architects. Four architects who were educated at Leicester
in Britain were lucky to come back at the apex of that demand; they
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مختارات من عمارة العالم العربي 1914-2014

تاريخ

2014

المنشئ

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