Between Heritage and Sustainability: The Architectural Legacy of Somers Clarke in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturer in Tourist Guidance Department, Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Luxor University

2 Lecturer in Tourist Guidance Department, Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Minia University

Abstract

This study analyzes the architectural legacy of British engineer Somers Clarke (1841-1926) in Egypt, positioning him as a pioneer of "contextual sustainability" long before the concept entered contemporary discourse. Through critical examination of his house at Elkab and the Luxor-Aswan railway stations, the research identifies an evolution in Clarke's thinking through three cumulative phases (field discovery, methodological formulation, and comprehensive application) manifested in four integrated dimensions (environmental, economic, civilizational, and social) that formed a practical response to early twentieth-century challenges. The findings confirm his success in transforming traditional architecture from oral heritage into a sustainable knowledge system, presenting a hybrid model that marries local wisdom with Western methodology. This legacy offers valuable insights for contemporary sustainability projects in the Arab world, remaining a perpetual source of inspiration for creating built environments that harmonize with their ecological and cultural context.

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