Youssef Aftimus
Encyclopedia
Youssef Aftimus; (يوسف أفتيموس) was a Lebanese
civil engineer and architect who specialized in Arabo-Mauresque architecture. Aftimus was the leading Lebanese architect and urban planner during the first half of the twentieth century, he is the author of many of Beirut's well known landmarks such as the Beirut Municipality Building, the Grand Serail's Hamidiyyeh clock tower, the Hamidiyyeh Fountain and the Barakat Building.
More than an engineer and an architect, Aftimus was also academic, a journalist, a visionary urban planner an enthusiastic patriot, politician and philanthropist.
. Aftimus attended school at Collège des Frères in his hometown as of 1875. In 1879 he transferred to the Syrian Protestant College (later known as the American University of Beirut
to complete his studies where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts
degree. Aftimus taught Arabic
at his university for two years and co-authored an Arabic grammar textbook before he left for New York
where he studied civil engineering at the Union College
as of 1885; he graduated from UC in 1891.
The Pennsylvania Railroad
company presented Aftimus with his first job; he worked on the Hudson Canal and the Pennsylvania Railways.
In 1893 Aftimus was working under a pioneer in Neo-Mauresque architecture and was chosen to design the "Persian Palace", "Turkish Village" and "Cairo Street" pavilions for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago
. Cairo Street was a particularly popular attraction in the fair. Aftimus went on to work on the Egyptian pavilion at the Antwerp exposition and the following year he went to Berlin on an extensive research trip on construction engineering
before returning to Beirut in late 1896. In 1898 Youssef was recruited by the Municipality of Beirut as municipal engineer and he directed the construction of the Grand Serail
Clock tower.
During his work in Beirut he met Manouk Avedissian, better known as Bechara efendi al-Muhandes his future father in law, he married Rose Avedissian in 1899.
. In 1911, Aftimus founded a consultant office in partnership with Emile Kacho who was also an engineer.
Aftimus won won the design competition for Beirut's City Hall in 1923, the municipal building still stands at Weygand and Foch crossroad.
movemement aiming at defining an architectural Ottoman style which was sparked by the publishing of Iprahim Eldem Pasha's Usul-i mimariyi osmani (Principles of Ottoman Architecture) in 1873. Ottoman architectural revivalism was very eclectic and drew upon many styles including Ottoman Baroque, modern Islamic architecture, vernacular
Beaux-Arts, Neoclassicism
. Aftimus' participation in the Chicago world fair was his break as an Ottoman revivalist architect. Although he had little knowledge of Istanbul's architectural culture, his expatriate work for the Ottoman government familiarized him with particular trends in the Ottoman capital. Aftimus introduced this Ottoman revivalist style from Istanbul
and from the Chicago
World's Columbian Exposition
to Beirut by the end of the 19th century; his architectural influence would later dominate Beirut's public constructions in the last two decades of Ottman rule over Lebanon
.
. The mansion is located in Ashrafieh's Sodeco area, intersecting the civil war demarcation line. It was saved by Lebanese activists (particularly the architect Mona Hallak) who had articles about the mansion published in the press almost on a daily basis, wrote petitions, and organized rallies in front of the building. Protestations finally led to the suspension of the decision to destroy the Barakat building in 2003 and the municipality of Beirut
decided to acquire it in order to install a memory museum with objects tracing the 7000-year history of the city. The municipality counts on the support of France to advance the restoration.
Lebanese people
The Lebanese people are a nation and ethnic group of Levantine people originating in what is today the country of Lebanon, including those who had inhabited Mount Lebanon prior to the creation of the modern Lebanese state....
civil engineer and architect who specialized in Arabo-Mauresque architecture. Aftimus was the leading Lebanese architect and urban planner during the first half of the twentieth century, he is the author of many of Beirut's well known landmarks such as the Beirut Municipality Building, the Grand Serail's Hamidiyyeh clock tower, the Hamidiyyeh Fountain and the Barakat Building.
More than an engineer and an architect, Aftimus was also academic, a journalist, a visionary urban planner an enthusiastic patriot, politician and philanthropist.
Early life
Youssef Aftimus was born on November 25th 1866 to a Greek Catholic family in the historic town of Deir el QamarDeir el Qamar
Deir el Qamar is a village in south-central Lebanon, five kilometres outside of Beiteddine, consisting of stone houses with red-tiled roofs. During the 16th to 18th centuries, Deir el Qamar was the residence of the governors of Lebanon...
. Aftimus attended school at Collège des Frères in his hometown as of 1875. In 1879 he transferred to the Syrian Protestant College (later known as the American University of Beirut
American University of Beirut
The American University of Beirut is a private, independent university in Beirut, Lebanon. It was founded as the Syrian Protestant College by American missionaries in 1866...
to complete his studies where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree. Aftimus taught Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
at his university for two years and co-authored an Arabic grammar textbook before he left for New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
where he studied civil engineering at the Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
as of 1885; he graduated from UC in 1891.
The Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
company presented Aftimus with his first job; he worked on the Hudson Canal and the Pennsylvania Railways.
In 1893 Aftimus was working under a pioneer in Neo-Mauresque architecture and was chosen to design the "Persian Palace", "Turkish Village" and "Cairo Street" pavilions for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. Cairo Street was a particularly popular attraction in the fair. Aftimus went on to work on the Egyptian pavilion at the Antwerp exposition and the following year he went to Berlin on an extensive research trip on construction engineering
Construction engineering
Construction engineering is a professional discipline that deals with the designing, planning, construction, and management of infrastructures such as highways, bridges, airports, railroads, buildings, dams, and utilities. Construction Engineers are unique such that they are a cross between civil...
before returning to Beirut in late 1896. In 1898 Youssef was recruited by the Municipality of Beirut as municipal engineer and he directed the construction of the Grand Serail
Grand Serail
The Grand Serail ; also known as the Government Palace) is the headquarters of the Prime Minister of Lebanon. It is situated atop a hill in downtown Beirut a few blocks away from the Lebanese Parliament....
Clock tower.
During his work in Beirut he met Manouk Avedissian, better known as Bechara efendi al-Muhandes his future father in law, he married Rose Avedissian in 1899.
Career in Lebanon
Between 1898 and 1903, Youssef Aftimus became an engineer of the Municipality of Beirut, he designed in 1900 the Hamidiyyeh Fountain, which was dedicated by the Beirut Municipality to Sultan Abdelhamid II. The fountain, originally on Riad el-Solh/as-Sour square was later moved and is still presently in the Sanayeh parkRené Moawad Garden
The René Moawad Garden is located in the Sanayeh district of Beirut, Lebanon. The garden is one of the oldest public open-air spaces in the capital. Khalil Pasha , commander of the Turkish Sixth Army during World War I ordered the creation of the garden in 1907.-Name:The garden has changed names...
. In 1911, Aftimus founded a consultant office in partnership with Emile Kacho who was also an engineer.
Aftimus won won the design competition for Beirut's City Hall in 1923, the municipal building still stands at Weygand and Foch crossroad.
Other works
- 1924 Nabatiyeh: drinking water supply
- 1924 Nicolas Barakat building
- 1925 Buildings in the Hotel-Dieu de France hospital
- 1927 Construction of Aftimus House (Kantari)
- 1929 Conference on Arab Architecture. (Death of his son Fouad Aftimus).
- 1929 Issa building (Trad Hospital), housing the US consulate.
- 1932 Zouheir building (Haïgazian College)
- 1933 Beirut Municipality building, Sage Hall (BUC).
- Grand Theater in Beirut facing Maarad Street.
Works Abroad
- 1903 irrigation projects in Upper-Egypt for the Egyptian Government
- 1910 Iran: works in the North of the country
Impact
The end of the 19th century saw a Ottoman cultural revivalistRevivalism (architecture)
Revivalism in architecture is the use of visual styles that consciously echo the style of a previous architectural era.There were a number of architectural revivalist movements in the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries....
movemement aiming at defining an architectural Ottoman style which was sparked by the publishing of Iprahim Eldem Pasha's Usul-i mimariyi osmani (Principles of Ottoman Architecture) in 1873. Ottoman architectural revivalism was very eclectic and drew upon many styles including Ottoman Baroque, modern Islamic architecture, vernacular
Vernacular architecture
Vernacular architecture is a term used to categorize methods of construction which use locally available resources and traditions to address local needs and circumstances. Vernacular architecture tends to evolve over time to reflect the environmental, cultural and historical context in which it...
Beaux-Arts, Neoclassicism
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
. Aftimus' participation in the Chicago world fair was his break as an Ottoman revivalist architect. Although he had little knowledge of Istanbul's architectural culture, his expatriate work for the Ottoman government familiarized him with particular trends in the Ottoman capital. Aftimus introduced this Ottoman revivalist style from Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
and from the Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
World's Columbian Exposition
World's Columbian Exposition
The World's Columbian Exposition was a World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. Chicago bested New York City; Washington, D.C.; and St...
to Beirut by the end of the 19th century; his architectural influence would later dominate Beirut's public constructions in the last two decades of Ottman rule over Lebanon
History of Lebanon under Ottoman rule
The Ottoman Empire at least nominally ruled Lebanon from its conquest in the sixteenth century until the end of World War I in 1918.The Ottoman sultan, Salim I , invaded Syria and Lebanon in 1516. Salim I, moved by the eloquence of the Lebanese ruler Amir Fakhr ad Din I , decided to grant the...
.
The "Yellow house" controversy
The Barakat mansion also known as the "yellow house" was designed by Aftimus and was sentenced for destruction in 1997 since it was heavily damaged during the Lebanese civil warLebanese Civil War
The Lebanese Civil War was a multifaceted civil war in Lebanon. The war lasted from 1975 to 1990 and resulted in an estimated 150,000 to 230,000 civilian fatalities. Another one million people were wounded, and today approximately 350,000 people remain displaced. There was also a mass exodus of...
. The mansion is located in Ashrafieh's Sodeco area, intersecting the civil war demarcation line. It was saved by Lebanese activists (particularly the architect Mona Hallak) who had articles about the mansion published in the press almost on a daily basis, wrote petitions, and organized rallies in front of the building. Protestations finally led to the suspension of the decision to destroy the Barakat building in 2003 and the municipality of Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
decided to acquire it in order to install a memory museum with objects tracing the 7000-year history of the city. The municipality counts on the support of France to advance the restoration.