"With the Ismail Abd El-Razek Villa, however, which was also designed in 1941, there is a profound reversal in the direction of Fathy's work. This change, which can be attributed to more than the use of domed forms, results in an obvious shift in theoretical principles as defined in his basic approach to space planning. While still not fully developed, there are vestiges of a dorqa'a with flanking iwans here, and initial attempts at a direct connection between this formal area with an exterior courtyard space formed by the intersection of the two wings of the house. In addition to this critical space relationship, which becomes so basic to all of Fathy's work in later years, circulation areas are also effectively used as a buffer between the public areas in the interior and the six family bedrooms which line the perimeter of the plan."

Source:

Steele, James. 1989. The Hassan Fathy Collection. A Catalogue of Visual Documents at the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Bern, Switzerland: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture.