Youssef Aftimus (Arabic: يوسف أفتيموس; 25 November 1866 – 10 September 1952) was a Lebanese civil engineer and architect who specialized in Moorish Revival 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.[1][2] Aftimus was also an academic, journalist, visionary urban planner, patriot, politician and philanthropist.[3]
Youssef Aftimus was born on November 25, 1866, to a Greek Catholic family in the historic town of Deir el Qamar. Aftimus attended school at Collège des Frères Maristes in his hometown as of 1875.[4] 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 City where he studied civil engineering at the Union College as of 1885; he graduated from UC in 1891.[5][4] The Pennsylvania Railroad company presented Aftimus with his first job; he worked on the Hudson Canal and the Pennsylvania Railways;[4] he was then recruited by the Thomson-Houston Electric Company and then by General Electric.[6]
In 1893 Aftimus worked for a pioneer in Moorish revival 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.[5][7] Aftimus went on to work on the Egyptian pavilion at the Antwerp International Exposition of 1894 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 Effendi al-Muhandes, his future father-in-law. He married Rose Avedissian on May 1, 1899.[4]
Careeredit
Career in Lebanonedit
Between 1898 and 1903, Youssef Aftimus became an engineer of the Municipality of Beirut, he designed the Hamidiyyeh Fountain in 1900 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 park. In 1911, Aftimus founded a consultant office in partnership with Emile Kacho who was also an engineer. Aftimus won the design competition for Beirut's City Hall in 1923, the municipal building still stands at Weygand and Foch crossroad.[4] Aftimus served as the minister of public works in the 1926-1927 government led by Auguste Basha Adib.[6]
In addition to his engineering works, Aftimos published an architectural treaties on Arabic architecture entitled "العرب في فن البناء"; he was also elected a member of the Damascus-based Arab Academy and president of the Syrian Protestant College alumni association. Aftimus helped found and headed a non-profit charity organization aiming to eliminate tuberculosis.[6]
Other worksedit
1920 Damour: Old Damour river bridge (bombarded in 1941)[6]
The end of the 19th century saw an Ottoman cultural revivalist movement aiming at defining an architectural Ottoman style which was sparked by the publishing in 1873 of Usul-i Mimari-i Osmani (Principles of Ottoman Architecture), commissioned by Ibrahim Edhem Pasha. Ottoman architectural revivalism was very eclectic and drew upon many styles including Ottoman Baroque (see Ottoman architecture), modern Islamic architecture, vernacularBeaux-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 ChicagoWorld'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 Ottoman rule over Lebanon.[5]
The "Yellow House" controversyedit
The Barakat mansion also known as the "Yellow House" was designed by Aftimus and was slated for demolition in 1997 since it was heavily damaged during the Lebanese Civil War. The mansion is located in Achrafieh'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. In 2000, Atelier de Recherche ALBA produced a large-scale installation based on narratives from this building and its neighborhood.[9] Protests 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 artifacts tracing the 7,000-year history of the city. The municipality counts on the support of France to advance the restoration.[10][11]
^Youssef Aftimus (1866-1952), pioneer in Lebanese Architecture", Al Mouhandess, n11, summer 2000, by Carma Tohme.
^Hanssen, Jens (2005). Fin de siècle Beirut: the making of an Ottoman provincial capital. Oxford: Clarendon Press; Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN978-0-19-928163-3. LCCN 2005296742. OCLC 58829013. from the original on 2019-12-16. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
^Atelier de Recherche ALBA (1999). "Youssef Aftimus". ALBA. from the original on 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
^ abcdefghAtelier de Recherche ALBA (1999). "Youssef Aftimus - Timeline" (educational). ALBA. from the original on 2016-07-23. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
^ abcHanssen, Jens (2005). Fin de siècle Beirut: the making of an Ottoman provincial capital. Oxford: Clarendon Press; Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press. hdl:2027/mdp.39015061179423. ISBN978-0-19-928163-3. LCCN 2005296742. OCLC 58829013.
^ abcdNehme, Adonis (2009-02-25). (in Arabic). AnNahar. Archived from the original on 2018-12-20. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
^Bowling Green State University. . BGSU. Archived from the original (educational) on 2011-12-14. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
^Anastassiadou-Dumont, Méropi; Institut français d'études anatoliennes d'Istanbul (2003). Médecins et ingénieurs ottomans à l'âge des nationalismes [Doctors and engineers at the age of Ottoman nationalism]. Élites urbaines et savoir scientifique dans la société ottomane, XIXe-XXe siècles [Urban elites and scientific knowledge in Ottoman society, nineteenth and twentieth centuries. March 12–23, 2002. Istanbul, Turkey]. Collection Rencontres d'Istanbul (in French and English). Paris: Maisonneuve et Larose; Beyoğlu, İstanbul: Institut français d'études anatoliennes. p. 387. hdl:2027/mdp.39015073901582. ISBN978-2-7068-1762-5. OCLC 56798381.
^Atelier de Recherche ALBA (2000). "Machines Celibataires". Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts. from the original on 18 July 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
^. Archived from the original on 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
^Auzias, Dominique; Labourdette, Jean-Paul (2008). Liban [Lebanon]. Petit futé, Country guide (in French) (6e ed.). Paris: Nouvelles éd. de l'Université. ISBN978-2-7469-1632-6. OCLC 470949164.
Youssef Aftimus (1866–1952), pioneer in Lebanese Architecture", Al Mouhandess, n11, summer 2000, by Carma Tohme.
1891 Union College Yearbook
watercolor Thure de Thulstrup. Brown, Julie K. Contesting Image: Photography and the World's Columbian Exposition, University of Arizona Press, 1994
External linksedit
Youssef Aftimus at Atelier de Recherche ALBA
March 17, 2024
youssef, aftimus, arabic, يوسف, أفتيموس, november, 1866, september, 1952, lebanese, civil, engineer, architect, specialized, moorish, revival, architecture, aftimus, leading, lebanese, architect, urban, planner, during, first, half, twentieth, century, author,. Youssef Aftimus Arabic يوسف أفتيموس 25 November 1866 10 September 1952 was a Lebanese civil engineer and architect who specialized in Moorish Revival 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 1 2 Aftimus was also an academic journalist visionary urban planner patriot politician and philanthropist 3 Youssef AftimusBorn 1866 11 25 November 25 1866Deir el Qamar Chouf Ottoman EmpireDied 1952 09 10 September 10 1952NationalityLebanese OttomanOccupationArchitectSpouseRose BecharaBuildingsBeirut City Hall and Hamidiyyeh Clock Tower Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 2 1 Career in Lebanon 2 1 1 Other works 2 1 2 Unrealized projects 2 2 Works abroad 3 Impact 4 The Yellow House controversy 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksEarly life editYoussef Aftimus was born on November 25 1866 to a Greek Catholic family in the historic town of Deir el Qamar Aftimus attended school at College des Freres Maristes in his hometown as of 1875 4 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 City where he studied civil engineering at the Union College as of 1885 he graduated from UC in 1891 5 4 The Pennsylvania Railroad company presented Aftimus with his first job he worked on the Hudson Canal and the Pennsylvania Railways 4 he was then recruited by the Thomson Houston Electric Company and then by General Electric 6 In 1893 Aftimus worked for a pioneer in Moorish revival 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 5 7 Aftimus went on to work on the Egyptian pavilion at the Antwerp International Exposition of 1894 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 Effendi al Muhandes his future father in law He married Rose Avedissian on May 1 1899 4 Career editCareer in Lebanon edit Between 1898 and 1903 Youssef Aftimus became an engineer of the Municipality of Beirut he designed the Hamidiyyeh Fountain in 1900 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 park In 1911 Aftimus founded a consultant office in partnership with Emile Kacho who was also an engineer Aftimus won the design competition for Beirut s City Hall in 1923 the municipal building still stands at Weygand and Foch crossroad 4 Aftimus served as the minister of public works in the 1926 1927 government led by Auguste Basha Adib 6 In addition to his engineering works Aftimos published an architectural treaties on Arabic architecture entitled العرب في فن البناء he was also elected a member of the Damascus based Arab Academy and president of the Syrian Protestant College alumni association Aftimus helped found and headed a non profit charity organization aiming to eliminate tuberculosis 6 Other works edit 1920 Damour Old Damour river bridge bombarded in 1941 6 1923 Beirut City Hall 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 1929 Grand Theater in Beirut 4 8 1932 Zouheir building Haigazian University 1933 Beirut Municipality building Sage Hall Beirut University College BUC Unrealized projects edit 1935 unbuilt project for a Greek Catholic cathedral 4 Works abroad edit 1903 irrigation projects in Upper Egypt for the Egyptian government 1910 Iran works in the north of the country 4 Impact edit nbsp Youssef Aftimus Upper Egypt 1903The end of the 19th century saw an Ottoman cultural revivalist movement aiming at defining an architectural Ottoman style which was sparked by the publishing in 1873 of Usul i Mimari i Osmani Principles of Ottoman Architecture commissioned by Ibrahim Edhem Pasha Ottoman architectural revivalism was very eclectic and drew upon many styles including Ottoman Baroque see Ottoman architecture 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 Ottoman rule over Lebanon 5 The Yellow House controversy editThe Barakat mansion also known as the Yellow House was designed by Aftimus and was slated for demolition in 1997 since it was heavily damaged during the Lebanese Civil War The mansion is located in Achrafieh 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 In 2000 Atelier de Recherche ALBA produced a large scale installation based on narratives from this building and its neighborhood 9 Protests 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 artifacts tracing the 7 000 year history of the city The municipality counts on the support of France to advance the restoration 10 11 See also editMardiros Altounian List of Lebanese architectsReferences edit Youssef Aftimus 1866 1952 pioneer in Lebanese Architecture Al Mouhandess n11 summer 2000 by Carma Tohme Hanssen Jens 2005 Fin de siecle Beirut the making of an Ottoman provincial capital Oxford Clarendon Press Oxford New York Oxford University Press ISBN 978 0 19 928163 3 LCCN 2005296742 OCLC 58829013 Archived from the original on 2019 12 16 Retrieved 2021 03 07 Atelier de Recherche ALBA 1999 Youssef Aftimus ALBA Archived from the original on 2016 08 22 Retrieved 2009 08 19 a b c d e f g h Atelier de Recherche ALBA 1999 Youssef Aftimus Timeline educational ALBA Archived from the original on 2016 07 23 Retrieved 2009 08 19 a b c Hanssen Jens 2005 Fin de siecle Beirut the making of an Ottoman provincial capital Oxford Clarendon Press Oxford New York Oxford University Press hdl 2027 mdp 39015061179423 ISBN 978 0 19 928163 3 LCCN 2005296742 OCLC 58829013 a b c d Nehme Adonis 2009 02 25 جسر الدامور بناه للمرة الأولى ابن دير القمر المهندس يوسف إفتيموس مفخرة من مفاخر دير القمر in Arabic AnNahar Archived from the original on 2018 12 20 Retrieved 2013 06 05 Bowling Green State University The streets of Cairo BGSU Archived from the original educational on 2011 12 14 Retrieved 2009 08 19 Anastassiadou Dumont Meropi Institut francais d etudes anatoliennes d Istanbul 2003 Medecins et ingenieurs ottomans a l age des nationalismes Doctors and engineers at the age of Ottoman nationalism Elites urbaines et savoir scientifique dans la societe ottomane XIXe XXe siecles Urban elites and scientific knowledge in Ottoman society nineteenth and twentieth centuries March 12 23 2002 Istanbul Turkey Collection Rencontres d Istanbul in French and English Paris Maisonneuve et Larose Beyoglu Istanbul Institut francais d etudes anatoliennes p 387 hdl 2027 mdp 39015073901582 ISBN 978 2 7068 1762 5 OCLC 56798381 Atelier de Recherche ALBA 2000 Machines Celibataires Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts Archived from the original on 18 July 2016 Retrieved 20 January 2012 C est une maison jaune Archived from the original on 2008 05 01 Retrieved 2009 08 19 Auzias Dominique Labourdette Jean Paul 2008 Liban Lebanon Petit fute Country guide in French 6e ed Paris Nouvelles ed de l Universite ISBN 978 2 7469 1632 6 OCLC 470949164 Youssef Aftimus 1866 1952 pioneer in Lebanese Architecture Al Mouhandess n11 summer 2000 by Carma Tohme 1891 Union College Yearbook watercolor Thure de Thulstrup Brown Julie K Contesting Image Photography and the World s Columbian Exposition University of Arizona Press 1994External links editYoussef Aftimus at Atelier de Recherche ALBA Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Youssef Aftimus amp oldid 1170911551, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
