Documentary: Architect Abdelwahed El-Wakil

"Architecture without philosophy would become engineering"

Summary

in the documentary "Architect Abdelwahed El-Wakil," the architect discusses the relationship between architecture and identity, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural heritage and embracing unique building styles. El-Wakil shares his personal experiences growing up in Egypt during political change and his quest to create authentic Egyptian architecture. He also introduces Islamic architecture philosophy to students, facing opposition, and advocates for reintroducing aesthetics into modern architecture. El-Wakil's discovery of Nubian architecture and his shift towards environmentally-friendly building methods are also highlighted, along with his fascination with the significance of the courtyard and symbolism in architecture.