A formal informal Pattern Language©-Zamalek Edition

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The content of this publication was developed by the students of ARCH 3553: Architectural Design Studio II (Fall 2024) at The American University in Cairo (AUC).

Paired with their comprehensive site mapping exercise, students engaged in an in-depth pattern analysis module.

This module is based on an adaptation of Nada Nafeh’s [in]formal Pattern Language© (2015), inspired by the foundational work of Christopher Alexander. It is designed to explore and navigate the multi-layered intersections between formal and informal urban systems within Cairo’s unique urban fabric, from a micro to macro lens.

For more information, please visit: [in]formal Pattern Language© interactive design guide + database for patterns: www.informalpatternlanguages.com https://issuu.com/nnafeh/docs/_in_formal_patternlanguage_e-book.

Sensitecture + https://issuu.com/magdamostafa/docs/sensitecture_spring_2022

This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including translation, photocopying, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, recording, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in other electronic or mechanical methods, and storage in data banks, without the prior written permission of the author.

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Fall 2024 ARCH 3553

Architectural Design Studio II

coordinator

Magda Mostafa, PhD

co-instructors

Zeinab Shafik, PhD Karim Kesseiba, PhD Nada Nafeh, MArch

TA Team

Mahinour Awad senior co-ordinating TA Menna Mansour Doha Ewis Nouran Begermy Sara Karama Youssef Elassaly Lara Mahmoud Rana Desouky Ruba Azzam Rana Ali

Pattern Template + Booklet Design

Nada Nafeh

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site mapping

pattern template 1 documenting patterns through urban narratives, story boarding, video and photography

pattern analysis Framed by the methodology outlined in [in]formal Pattern Language©, students engage in a comprehensive bottom-up mapping and modeling that starts at the micro and extends to the macro scale. This approach fosters a holistic understanding of the multi-layered built environment, exploring the intricate intersections between formal and informal patterns on site.

2 pattern + urban narratives

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a collective pattern matrix mapping interconnections between formal + informal patterns

pattern template pattern spatial analysis

+ mapping existing typologies, pattern matrixnetworks and behavioral choreographies embeded in patterns 16

behavioural choreography

design

4 micro-to-macro mapping using innovative multi-sensory mapping techniques and 3D pattern mockups

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Image Credit: © 2024 Selim Elgarhy, Layers in the Building

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BUILDING

3 MS U D I G

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3. LAYERS IN THE BUILDING Selim ElGarhy, Jana Ghalwash, Jana Mamdouh, Maya Kotb, Rodaina [m+f+c]

The residents, the pedestrians, the shopkeepers, the doorman (bawab), the workers/maintainers, the cleaners, the housekeepers, visitors, vendors, the vegetation, the cats.

Cairo’s building typologies are various, especially those of Zamalek. Tall buildings, short buildings, apartments, villas, mansions, pop up shops, fill-in spaces, and even houseboats (now removed). But what is more filled with variety is the layers of each building.

The ground plane is the most concentrated, high traffic layer of the building, but not at all the only one. Middle floors, rooftops, cores, and facades all have reactionary and active patterns which recur throughout the built environment of Zamalek.

These layers all connect to the next, and make up the organs of the building’s life and character. Some have potential, with unique uses and spaces, such as corners and unique storefronts which add color and personality to the building and street.

Some are purely informal reactions to issues and could pose destruction or loss of a building’s character, such as filling out balconies for expansion, and the almost organic spread of ACs across the building’s facade. larger patterns Zamalek as a cosmopolitan hub Scales of adaptive reuse

smaller patterns 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 20

potentials M microeconomics S strong communal ties U urban layering

poblems D density I adapting to social injustices G garbage accumulation

strong personalization, Inspiration, vertical green space, rooftop spaces

deterioration, misuse

Buildings [m+w+c]

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Selim Elgarhy

M S P U R D I O G

6. Layers in the Building

[m+w+c] residents, pedestrians, shopkeepers, doorman (bawab), workers/maintainers, cleaners, housekeepers, visitors, vendors, vegetation, cats .........................

Cairo’s building typologies are various, especially those of Zamalek. Tall buildings, short buildings, apartments, villas, mansions, pop up shops, pockets of informal activities, and even houseboats (now removed). But what is more filled with variety is the layers of each building.

The ground plane is the most concentrated, high traffic layer of the building, but not at all the only one. Middle floors, rooftops, cores, and facades all have reactionary and active patterns which recur throughout the built environment of Zamalek.

These layers all connect to each other, and make up the organs of the building’s life and character. Some have potential, with unique uses and spaces, such as corners and unique storefronts which add function, users, color and idenity to the building and street. Some are purely informal reactions to issues and could pose destruction or loss of a building’s character, such as filling out balconies for expansion, and the almost organic spread of ACs across the building’s facade. larger patterns urban layering, Zamalek-a cosmopolitan center, scales of adaptive reuse, the higher the better, 5-15 min neighbourhood smaller patterns creative passageways at the ground floor, multi-functional rooftops, a network of gateways, layers of security, pockets of informal activities, bawab we sayes, (in)formal / unplanned services problems D density, lack of green spaces I adapting to social injustice O overburdened services G garbage accumulation

potentials M micro-economies S strong communal ties P close work-home proximity U urban layering

59 Pattern Template Design: ©2015 Nada Nafeh, [in]formal Pattern Language©

Potential / Problem The layers in a building are inherent and can either reveal potentials, present problems, or simply manifest as symptoms of underlying problems.

Congestion of activity or footprint tends to be a gradient from the ground plane upwards, with all the activities of the street leaving a print or impact on the bottom floors. Invasion of art, graffiti, storefronts of different shapes, colors, and sizes, in-between spaces, kiosks, corners of rubbish, corners of vegetation, and corners for chairs and “farsh el bawab”, deterioration of paint and remnants of past infrastructure.

As you move to the upper floors of a building, the density of activities decreases and becomes exclusive to residents and visitors. These layers of the middle/ upper floors, with limited access to the ground, appear in the organic grid of ACs across the facade, and the filling in of the balconies with windows or brick to expand space (scale M of adaptive re-use). These footprints and alterations can oftentimes weaken the original language or personality of a building or deteriorate its finishes. Some buildings have plants overgrown on them, or flowerpots left deliberately untamed with lines of fines covering the front, creating jungle like green walls. Each buildings’ condition, personalization, and informal built additions or edits reflect the personality, needs, and policy of the owners and tenants, which can often differ significantly- spilling these contrasts across the facade of the building.

Top floors and rooftops have more space to breathe, which is sometimes used for apartment expansions or left open for communal use or storagewith messy placement of satellite dishes, sheds, and/or informal / unplanned activities.

These mixed patterns of informal and organic expansions, modifications, and additions—spread across different buildings and differing from top to bottom, can offer potential inspiration for designing new built environments that cater different needs.

Therefore, A new building could incorporate flexibility for future informal activities, such as the widespread use of flowerpots across façades for green growth. It could provide spaces for the imminent addition of AC units or feature creative, colorful artwork and motifs that enhance rather than strain the building’s exterior. Strategic voids and balconies could be integrated to optimize both functional and unexpected uses of space. Mixed-use could become part of a rapidly evolving hybrid typology, accomodating diverse spatial needs of various demographics at once.

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More open space and rooftops to use.

Less need to close balconies. Creative ways of using the space and voids for expansion. Rooftops could be rented out for activity or fitted out to create cool private or public space.

Some of these spaces closed up for added space, others closed up because the need for a balcony to unwind vanished when the 26th of july bridge cut through.

a network of air conditoners or plant growth across a building are the outermost membrane of the facade.

The 26th of July bridge, albeit the biggest disruption, is one of many garish infrastructural additions and projects across Zamalek which disrupt local habits and architectural language. here it removed the life and view of the avenue, but create carpark spaces. not a great deal.

it's seen the most, experiences the most, and says the most. The ground plane is where the building meets the rest of the city and public, and much like one's feet, it grabs the most from your surroundings.

Graffiti, storefronts of different shapes, colors, and sizes, in-between spaces, kiosks, corners of rubbish, corners of vegetation, and corners for chairs and "farsh el bawab", deterioration of paint and remnants of past infrastructure.

Image Credit: ©2024 Selim Elgahry, Sketch: Layers in the Building 61 Pattern Template Design: ©2015 Nada Nafeh, [in]formal Pattern Language©

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