This master’s thesis explores the identity of the Egyptian homes. It asserts that designing homes without adhering to the spirit of the place, and dealing with the contemporary issues that are region specific, results in the phenomenon of placelessness and the loss of identity. The methodology included analysing Egyptian homes chronologically, starting with the mediaeval Cairene home, reaching modern gated communities of current day Cairo. Studying the homes and extracting its Genius Loci and contemporary issues from similarities between homes from different time periods along with evaluating them qualitatively in terms of the environmental and social context of Cairo proved the hypothesis to be true and that the sense of belonging is lost and the identity of home is weakened in homes that are not designed with respect to their contexts. Finally, the objective of this analysis is to act as a glossary of settlement qualities, architectural elements and spaces to collect patterns that decipher the Genius Loci of the Egyptian home. The aim of such a glossary is to provide architects and urbanists with a tool to design future homes in Cairo using the collective memory of the past, contemporary issues of the present adn future aspirations.
The Mediaeval Cairene Home (969 AD - present)
The Mediaeval Cairene Home started from the city walls and up until the intricate elements that made up each house, streets acted as semi-public spheres allowing for social interactions and for some domestic activities to take place in them creating a sense of community. The main urban constituent of the six level street network was the Harah, a broken line street that acted as a courtyard for cold air to dissipate shaded by the houses on both of it’s sides allowed it to have comfortable conditions for habitation. It was separated from the semi private sphere of the courtyard and takhtaboush (shaded terrace) by a broken entrance called the Magaaz.
Mediaeval Cairo Street Network Plan
Section Through the harah
The Harah (Alleyway), Magaaz (entrance), and Courtyards of Mediaeval Cairo
The Cairene Courtyard House
To know one house in mediaeval Cairo is to know all the houses as the largest was just a multiplication of the small units that make up the small houses. The courtryard being the spatial organiser of the house as it is the mediating space between the streets and the private spaces. It is also the temprature regulator and carries the ‘soul’ of the house. The Cairene house features elements such as the oriel windows (mashrabiyya), octagonal skylights (shokhshekha) and the windcatcher (malqaf). Such houses were made of thick stone walls and their spatial organisation respected the culture of its inhabitants
Plan of 3 adjacent CaireneCourtyard Houses in Harah of Al Darb Al Asfar
Section of Al Suhaymi House of Harah of Al Darb Al Asfar
Courtyard and Shaded Terraces of the Mediaeval Cairene Houses
The Living Room (Qa’a) and its elements (Mashrabiyya, Shokhshekha and Malqaf)
Street network of Downtown Cairo
Street Section of Downtown Cairo showing the separation between the house and the street
Downtown Cairo (khedival Cairo) was established in the 1800s to emulate Europeans as Cairo was becoming a “global city” during the times of industrialisation. This introduced the open public sphere to the city in the forms of boulevards and nodes. However, the mediating spheres (semi public and semi private) that were previously the courtyards and the alleyways became reduced to the sidewalk. Moreover, Downtown Cairo was copying the Hausmanian Paris apartment building model which had places for all classes of the Parisian society. However the Downtown apartment building separated the social classes as they were designed to only house the bourgoise class of Cairo.
Modernist
Cairene Houses (1950s - present)
Axonometric of Modernist Cairo neighbourhoods (Mohandessin neighbourhood)
Moderrnist neighbourhoods as a Collection of Concrete Domino Houses with glass facades
Moderrnist neighbourhood street section showing landmarks being hidden causing placelessness
Scattering of Gated Communities in East and West Cairo
Effect of Gated communities on the Urban Fabric Sheikh Zayed CIty (West Cairo)
Inward facing streets of Gated communities
Public spaces not adhering to the Egyptian Genius Loci
Street Section of Gated Communities showing ultimate placelessness in the Egyptian Home
Street Axonometric of Informal Cairo streets
Street Section of Informal Cairo streets showing the street coming back as part of the home
Incremental Planning by social conciousness in informal Cairo respecting the expanding nature of the home
Flexibility of the Informal Homes during different times of the day
Abstract Strategy for Informal Cairo
Informal Cairo showed adherance to the Egyprian Genius Loci and it makes up more than 60% of homes in Cairo today. By using the potential of the local material of Egypt; the mudbrick that was used in ancient and mediaeval times. Domes, vaults and wincatchers, can be used to address the contemporary issue of informal vertical growth and improper ventilation in such neighbourhoods. Moreover, it promotes the use of local materials and community participation in building homes. Finally, the limiting of vertical growth of such settlements, allows the landmarks such as mosques to provide orientation and open spaces in the public domain.
The Sanctuary Of Besos
Year: 2022 (Bachelor Thesis Project)
Typology: Multifaith Community Centre
Location: Barcelona - Santa Coloma
The Sanctuary of Besos is a project that reflects the diverse and inclusive character of Barcelona. Situated on the bank of River Besos, it lies between Barcelona, Santa Coloma de Gramanet and Santa Adria del Besos; an area known for being home to numerous immigrants and people from several backgrounds, faiths and religions. The project is a space designed as a space for spiritual contemplation for people with all different kinds of beliefs. It also acts as a infrastructural connector and stairway between both sides of the river starting from Barcelona until reaching Santa Coloma de Gramanet.
Part 1: Urban Strategy
Mapping of River Besos within its urban context of transversal connections and built fabric
public spaces
River Besos: The Separating Wall (Current State)
River Besos adjoined with its surrounding
River Besos: A Vertical Void with Weak Connectors
Plan showing the Sanctuary and its connection to Barcelona
Axonemetric For Urban Situation of the Sanctuary
Part 2: Hybrid Architecture
The Art Piece:
Earth by Chillida, shows the notion of digging through Earth which represents the soul searching and contemplation that the space inspires.
Rationalizing The Space:
A Defining the spatial structure through identifying a spine of circulation and pockets of functions on the sides of the spine.
The Final Form:
The Sanctuary of Besos is inspired by chillida’s painting, has a rational form, a space morphed by the topography and an order set by the context.
Program of the Sanctuary featuring a Church, Mosque and Multifaith spaces of Contemplation
Transversal Section Through Yoga Area (Sanctuary of Body)
Library (Sanctuary of Mind)
Yoga Centre (Sanctuary for Body) Plan
Library and Mosque
Mosque Plans
Church ( Sanctuary for Soul) Plan
Existing Topography
Excavating the Space
and Circulation Elements
Concrete Slabs
Beams to Support the Roofs
Load Bearing Concrete Walls
Concrete Roofs with Skylights
CAIyak
Year: 2022 (9th Semester)
Typology: Kayak Centre and Skatepark
Location: Cairo - Egypt
Course Objective: Transform the AI generated Picture Above into Architecture
Prompts: folding, Timber, Water, Sustainable
Cairo’s riverbank is arguably the largest public space in Greater Cairo. It connects Cairo to Giza to the islands in between. However, there are not many designed spaces that house public functions on the Nile’s bank. CAIyak’s site lies on the western bank of the Nile, specifically on a platform on Nile street. The project aims to extend this platform that Egyptians currently use for skating activities. The expansion of the platform will reach the Nile itself to provide a public space with a multitude of public functions for the people of Cairo to enjoy their Riverfront.
Project Location
Axonometric of the project’s program
Ground Floor Plan
Nile Elevation (East)
Skatepark Shot
ESN TOWER
Year: 2021 (7th Semester) - Academic Competition
Typology: High end Residential Tower with Public Facilities
Location: Essen - Germany
Course Objective: Transform the Art piece above to Architecture
Status: 1st Place Competition Winner
The tower displays the concept of a dialogue. Each of the four towers represent a direction the East, South, North and the West. The form each tower has gives it a unique character as if it is reaching for its neighbouring on; having a conversation. The second dialogue is between the towers and the Essen Rathaus building, as they are the only two high buildings in the urban context. The contrast between their characters (the massive and the light) makes the dialogue between them stand out and compliment each other
The Urban Context
Building Area and prospective height to match the Essen Rathaus
Extra Masses to add the sculptural character of the art piece
Variation of Heights According to Wind Directions
Urban Section
Final Form with double Glass Facades
Loft Apartment Shot
Section
Rituals
Year: 2024 - International Competition
Typology: Scenery Cabin
Location: Chaparon - France
Status: Honourable Mention
The cabin recreates and reimagines daily rituals into spaces that offer unique experiences with nature. One space is open and frames nature, engaging the ears and imagination, while the other is enclosed, focusing on the eyes and relaxation. These spaces shelter users from the elements while enhancing their connection to the site.
Inspired by three rituals—cooking at dawn, drinking coffee at midday, and praying at dusk—the design abstracts these movements into intimate, livable forms. A diagonal wall guides visitors toward a framed view, fostering contemplation. Inside the “frame” room, a downward staircase serves as flexible seating. Visitors then find a semi-sealed cabin, marking a shift from wood to stone, interior to exterior. In the semi-sealed cabin, a skylight provides light and a connection to the sky, while small gaps allow sound to enter, amplifying imagination. This quiet space encourages users to sit, listen, and experience nature in an indirect, contemplative way. The cabin transforms simple daily rituals into a profound sensory engagement with the natural world.
