Hassan Fathy

Designer We Love

Hassan Fathy

For More Information

Remembering the Master and Hassan Fathy: Architecture for the Poor

Quotable Quotes 

"Architecture is music frozen in place. And music is architecture frozen in time."

"A house where the children play happily is a happy state."

"An architect should live in the spaces he has created. If he is happy, he deserves credit. If he is unhappy, then he is to be discredited."

Background 

Born in 1900 in Alexandria, Egypt

Graduated in 1926 from Cairo University; studied agriculture, then switched to architecture

Early 1940s rural hospitals project focused on Nubian construction techniques he discovered in Upper Egypt using natural materials and housing styles

Years of distinction with projects ranging from community housing projects, temporary housing for refugees, and the Nasser Mausoleum

Died in 1989

What We Love 

Every project he ever undertook bore the distinct mark of a perfectionist, and he was someone who thoughtfully considered the human beings who would be living and/or working in the spaces he designed.

Fathy was always a gracious person, opening his home each afternoon to visitors, including friends, families, neighbors, and strangers who were admirers. The food he served his guests was always chosen with care, too. He makes us remember that homes are meant to be happy centers for hospitality.

We loved his goals of making comfortable, low-cost housing with natural building materials. His mud brick homes were just the ticket to meet the climate and economic needs of rural communities, but these are building styles and techniques that should inspire all sustainable building worldwide.

Hassan Fathy Sampler

Photo credits: KmtSpace, Vital Signs, Flickr, Tour Egypt, Katarxis, Al Ahram, pushpullbar

Mario Buatta

Designer We Love

Mario Buatta

More Information

Interior Design Hall of Fame bio, NY Times article

Quotable Quotes

"I really care about how a house looks on the inside and outside; I could care less about how it's structured."

"Everything I've ever bought has always reminded me of something I've already seen, someplace, sometime."

"People decorate three times in their lives: The first time is when they get married and get their own place. The second is when their children grow up and they redecorate with better things. Then after 60, they do it for the last time and they make their home look the way they have always dreamed."

Background

Born in 1935 in Staten Island, NY

Ditched architecture studies at Cooper Union and switched to Parsons School of Design

Influenced by John Fowler and his accessorized-to-the-max English country decorating style

Dubbed the "Prince of Chintz" in 1984 by a NY television news reporter, and it's stuck ever since

High-profile commissions like Washington's Blair House and homes for Mariah Carey, Nelson Doubleday, Billy Joel, and other celebrities and socialites

What We Love

He still answers his own phones; that strikes us as practical, hands on, and no pretense.

His designs are comfortable, highly decorative, and whimsical -- and we love any decorator with a sense of humor (he's said to carry around a plastic joke cockroach in his pocket everywhere he goes . . . and he's even named the cockroach Harold).

We lust after the enormous and elegant dressing room complex he designed for Mariah Carey. Lucky her.

Buatta appreciates good collections and eclectic mixes in his interiors, but he also has an appealing humbleness and sense of humility in his philosophy concerning "things." He realizes that objects are really only "on loan" to us during our lifetime. We should provide beautiful objects with a kind and loving place to be displayed and used during our lifetimes, then have them passed on to others for further enjoyment. For this sentiment alone, we are eternally grateful to the amazing Prince of Chintz.

Mario Buatta Sampler

Photo credits: Framed Picture, Art and Living, New York Magazine, Architectural Digest, Cote de Texas, Glamour, Providence RI, Architectural Digest

Update on March 14, 2011 by Design2Share

New York Social Diary

We loved the recent New York Social Diary photo essay and interview with Mario Buatta. Lovely mix of modern and traditional design elements, and a very personal, luxurious space. Well done, as usual, Mr. Buatta!