The Egyptian architect and master builder, Hassan Fathy (1900-1989) was one of the first architects to found a new approach based on a conception of interpreting forms and masses from the past. He was unique in believing that this language could exist alongside that of an aggressively modern one that cut all ties with the past. In addition to Fathy's tireless efforts to establish his traditional approach, he struggled to improve the housing and living environments of the poor, especially in the Third World. Fathy's efforts were acknowledged by several awards, including the Chairman's Prize, Aga Khan Awards for Architecture (1980), the Right Livelihood Award (1980) and the first Gold Medal of the International Union of Architects (1984).