Thanks to Dr. Mahmoud Tabony, the name "Tabony" has become a notable brand in the Arab sector over the years. From the 1960s to the present, the firm has been involved in the construction of public buildings in the Arab sector and has played a decisive role in the development of Arab towns and villages across the country.
Dr. Mahmoud Tabony was one of the first engineers in Arab society, and the first to receive a master's degree and a doctorate in structural engineering, as well as a bachelor's degree in architecture, from the Technion.
Building on his accomplishments, Dr. Tabony, a respected academic and humble man, had many acquaintances and developed friendships with members of the communities in which he worked. As a result, he later became a representative of Arab citizens vis-à-vis the authorities, serving as a link between the education committees and government ministries and institutions.
Dr. Mahmoud Tabony passed away abruptly in 2005 during a visit to Damascus. This sudden event occurred shortly after he had spoken with his son over the phone, expressing his excitement about fulfilling his dream of visiting the old city of Damascus. Following his father's passing, Ashraf Tabony succeeded him as the firm's manager in 2005, at the age of 24.
Dr. Mahmoud Tabony (Ashraf and Ayman Tabony’s father) was born in Nazareth. Over 20 years, he developed the firm and was the first to introduce a computer into the office (students would make a pilgrimage to the office to behold the wonder...). He worked with local authorities as an advisor to mayors, heads of councils, and education committees, and represented villages, councils, and towns vis-à-vis ministries. His work included conducting research to map the needs of the towns and presenting the findings to the ministries (the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Construction and Housing). As a town representative and senior architect and engineer, he conveyed the town's problems and needs and formulated comprehensive planning frameworks that included alternatives and designated lots, addressed construction process obstacles, identified potential lots and sites, and planned the distribution of public institutions within the town.
A. Architecture and Engineering as One
Tabony Architects & Engineers integrates structural engineering and architecture, allowing the engineering elements to become part of the building's aesthetics. A fine example of this can be seen in the Deir Al-Assad mosque – the arches supporting the dome are visibly exposed and also serve as a design element. Another prominent example is the mashrabiya, which appears in many of the firm's projects. The mashrabiya is an engineering element that shades and reduces heat, creating a beautiful play of light and shadow and contributing to the building's artistic dimension.
B. Sustainable Architecture
According to the firm’s environmental philosophy, a city must deal with the climate and integrate with it, just as an organism adapts to its surroundings. For example, the city of Fez in Morocco is built in a way that keeps the city's temperature several degrees lower than that of the surrounding desert and is therefore considered a "smart city." In contrast, buildings with glass screens require extensive air conditioning and are thus "non-smart buildings."
A building that drains resources, devours energy, and consumes more of the planet than it produces is not sustainable. The buildings designed by Tabony are sustainable, making the best use of natural light and using multiple shading to reduce heat. The firm uses computerized simulation to optimize lighting and airflow and is considered one of the leading engineering firms in digital architecture.
C. Community Architecture
In contrast to architects who see their work as a private creation or personal expression, Mahmoud Tabony saw the building as a community expression. He used to leave the interiors of the mosques painted white, thinking that members of the community would later add colors. For him, the white dome of the mosque was an empty canvas he left for the community to express and imprint their tastes and preferences on. The mosques he designed were not meant to arouse awe, but rather to embrace and invite the worshipers in. Mahmoud made extensive use of curved lines, arches, and domes. Alongside their structural strength, his buildings are characterized by a sense of embrace and pleasantness.
In all the projects the firm has planned over the years, a great deal of attention has been given to the exterior, the square, the courtyard, and the passage areas between the buildings, creating diverse meeting and gathering places and encouraging community life.
The Third Circle
Mahmoud Tabony dedicated his career to public construction. Since he was an educated and respected man who had cultivated good relations with government ministries, his friends approached him to join politics. He considered the issue and concluded that, as an engineer and architect, he could promote change and accelerate development in Arab society more than he could if he held a political position. Without engaging in politics, Mahmoud saw himself as a public emissary. His door was open to many people who sought his help. He contributed to the Arab society and volunteered his time and expertise. He planned various mosques and the mighty Sakhnin church pro bono.
Ashraf eloquently explains the belief that guided his father throughout his life and that guides him today as well:
"There are three circles in life – personal, familial, and social. Most people reach the second circle and stop there, focusing on themselves and their families. Often, they believe this provides a full life. In these personal and familial circles, much of life revolves around making a living, leading to an endless race for money that lacks creativity. However, beyond these is the third circle, the circle of community and society. Many people are unaware of its importance and do not complete it. Yet, embracing this third circle can offer the fulfillment they have been seeking. Consider: What is your work? What is your creation? What do you contribute to your environment? Remember that a profession is much more than just making a living. Without a spiritual dimension to guide you, you may never find peace within yourself."
