Elmaghraby Design House, in collaboration with Professor Dr. Gamal El-Kholy, takes over the rehabilitation of a disused lecture hall at Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt. The project has resulted in a significant addition to the campus, a multi-functional theater that introduces a new architectural identity through adaptive reuse. The architecture demonstrates a sustainable approach by reactivating an existing structure rather than initiating new construction, aligning with broader goals of resource efficiency and architectural preservation.

At the center of the design concept is the metaphor of the theater curtain, which informs both the programmatic transition and the architectural expression. The new facade, composed of a transparent glass curtain wall system and a series of parametric aluminum louvers, embodies this idea. The louvers, configured to respond dynamically to light and perspective, modulate transparency and shadow, giving the building a variable presence depending on time and viewpoint. This facade system also provides environmental performance by offering solar shading while maintaining visual openness. The glass curtain wall establishes visual continuity with the campus environment, reflecting adjacent structures and reinforcing contextual integration. Simultaneously, the parametric aluminum elements introduce a contemporary architectural language that distinguishes the theater from its more conventional surroundings.

contextual view blending new and existing elements | all images courtesy of Elmaghraby Design House

Ain Shams University Theater stands as the campus landmark

Internally, Elmaghraby Design House’s architectural team reorganizes the program to support dual academic and cultural functions. A fully equipped theater with a 550-seat capacity has been introduced, designed to accommodate a wide range of performances and events. In addition, two-tiered lecture halls, with a combined capacity of 1,200 students, extend the building’s usability for educational purposes. This hybrid configuration enables the structure to serve as both a learning environment and a cultural venue, fostering interdisciplinary interaction and community engagement.

By retaining the original structure and reimagining its function, the project minimizes material waste and conserves embedded energy. The intervention reinforces the role of architecture in evolving institutional identity, where form, function, and context are reassessed to meet contemporary needs. The Ain Shams University Theater now stands as a campus landmark, articulating a renewed commitment to cultural expression, academic versatility, and sustainable transformation through architectural design.

revitalized landscape creating vibrant campus edges

main entrance framed by dynamic aluminum fins

louver detail contrasting with soft landscape elements

the facade design draws from the metaphor of a theater curtain

vertical louvers animate the facade with movement

glass reflects the surrounding buildings, bridging old and new

close-up of louvers revealing layered depth and texture

aluminum louvers modulate shadow and light based on orientation and time of day

detail of parametric louvers casting rhythmic shadows

elevation reflecting the new architectural identity

at night, the facade opens like a stage curtain

project info:

name: Ain Shams University Theater Rehabilitation
architects: Elmaghraby Design House | @designed.by.elmaghraby

lead architect: Ahmed El-Maghraby

collaborator: Prof. Dr. Gamal El-Kholy

client: Ain Shams Government
location: Cairo, Egypt

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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The Hub, a new entertainment destination designed by 100architects for Emaar Misr, spans 60,000 sqm in Marassi on Egypt’s North Coast. It introduces a distinct approach to public space design, focusing on bold, colorful aesthetics and interactive experiences that engage visitors of all ages. Conceived as a central social space for adolescents and young adults, The Hub complements existing public facilities in the area.

The project’s design revolves around the concept of a ‘Big Bang,’ symbolizing vitality and youth through vibrant colors, dynamic forms, and lights. This abstract theme manifests in the design with colorful lines embedded into the ground, guiding visitor movement and enhancing circulation. The layout is organized around three main zones—a multipurpose event space, a playground, and Kids Town—all gravitating around a Central Plaza. These elements are arranged to encourage social interactions and offer flexible spaces for various activities.

all images by Essam Arafa Photography

the hub features Modular Design and Interactive Spaces

The Hub’s features include an open-air cinema, go-kart track, roller-skating rink, sports courts, arcade, and spaces for pop-up events such as markets, concerts, and workshops. Modular F&B and retail spaces occupy 10,000 sqm and 15,000 sqm, respectively, designed to integrate seamlessly into the overall aesthetic. This modular construction approach allowed for rapid assembly while maintaining a contemporary industrial style that resonates with younger audiences. Phase 1 was completed in time for the summer 2024 season, and Phase 2 is scheduled for completion by mid-2025, introducing an expanded playscape and additional amenities. Shanghai-based firm 100architects emphasizes its ongoing commitment to creating dynamic, socially engaging public spaces, with the Hub quickly becoming a popular destination.

the Hub spans 60,000 sqm in Marassi, offering a bold and interactive entertainment space

the project introduces a ‘Big Bang’ concept, symbolizing vitality through dynamic forms and vibrant colors

colorful lines embedded in the ground guide visitors through The Hub, enhancing circulation and visual appeal

the Hub serves as a social anchor for young people, complementing existing public facilities in Marassi

the layout features three main zones: a multi-use event space, a playground, and Kids Town, around a plaza

visitors can enjoy an open-air cinema, go-kart track, roller-skating rink, and other recreational facilities

the Hub offers spaces for pop-up events, markets, concerts, and workshops, fostering a dynamic atmosphere

the central plaza of The Hub encourages social interaction and spontaneous gatherings among visitors

bold design elements reflect 100architects’ commitment to creating socially engaging public spaces

project info:

name: The Hub
architect: 100architects | @100architects

location: Marassi, Egypt

photography: Essam Arafa Photography | @earafa

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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The Citadel of Cairo, renowned as Egypt’s historical seat of political authority since its establishment in the 12th century, holds a lesser-known but equally significant role as a bastion of design influence. While its political supremacy has waned over time, its position as a transcendental Seat of Design Power, figuratively and literally, is still evident. In collaboration with GEMMA, Dar Arafa Architecture delves into this rich tapestry of design history with their pavilion, Citadel of Cairo: Seat of Design Power at Cairo Design Week. A tribute to the diverse architectural typologies, iconic structures, and artistic expressions that have emerged from within the Citadel’s walls, the structure encircles a small pool of water at the historic site — an ode to what once was.

all images courtesy of the author

dar arafa architecture encapsulates iconic egyptian typologies

GEMMA, an Egyptian interior design studio and tile company, aims to spotlight the Citadel’s profound impact during Cairo Design Week, celebrating the DNA that permeates all of these design layers at outcomes. Their collaboration with Dar Arafa Architecture seeks to illuminate the fundamental geometries and design principles underlying the Citadel’s architectural legacy, paying homage to lost wonders and demolished structures that once adorned its landscape. Citadel of Cairo: Seat of Design Power emerges as a phantom iwan — a symbolic gateway bridging past, present, and future, while blurring the boundaries between the material and immaterial realms of design.

Throughout its storied past, the Citadel has been not only a military stronghold with its towers, walls, gates, and fortifications but also a hub of many civilian architectural typologies and iconic design styles. Mosques like those of Al-Nasir Mohammad, Sulayman Pasha al-Khadim, and Mohammad Ali Pasha, alongside palaces and royal halls, represent a formidable timeline of Cairean architecture. Within these edifices, the influence of design extends beyond mere construction to encompass sculptures, graphics, and even the production of cultural artifacts such as the Kisswa, the cover of the Ka’baa, revered by millions of Muslim pilgrims.

Citadel of Cairo: Seat of Design Power revealed at Cairo Design Week 2024

realized by Dar Arafa Architecture and GEMMA

a phantom iwan — a symbolic gateway bridging past, present, and future

a tribute to the historic Citadel’s diverse architectural typologies, iconic structures, and artistic expressions

intricacies of the structures

the architects illuminate the fundamental geometries and design principles underlying the Citadel’s architecture

the structure encircles a small pool of water at the historic site

project info:

name: Citadel of Cairo: Seat of Design Power
architecture: Dar Arafa Architecture

location: Cairo, Egypt

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

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Online controversy had erupted when Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Egypt’s secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, unveiled footage showcasing the ongoing restoration of the Pyramid of Menkaure, the smallest among Giza’s main pyramids. Following major doubts and criticism expressed online, the country’s Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities has shared an update this week, stating that the Review Committee (MPRC) unanimously opposed reinstalling the scattered granite casing blocks around the pyramid’s base. This decision materializes in a report submitted to MTA minister Ahmed Issa. In that report, the committee emphasizes the need to preserve the pyramid’s current state intact due to its ‘exceptional universal and archaeological value.’

image by Przemyslaw ‘Blueshade’ Idzkiewicz via Wikimedia, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license

Taking to Instagram, the Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities shares the followng: ‘The committee said that it would be impossible to ascertain of the exact original position of any of the casing blocks, therefore, it is impossible to return any of them to their original location on the pyramid. Consequently, any re-installation of the casing blocks would change the ancient, original fabric and appearance of the pyramid which would conceal important evidence of how the ancient Egyptian designed and built the pyramids.’  As the report confirms, the committee did approve initial archaeological excavations to uncover Menkaure pyramid’s boat pits. It also supported a scientific archaeological project for studying and surveying the pyramid, organizing fallen granite blocks, excavating sloping debris, and preparing the site for visitation. However, after much review, the MPRC stresses that no scientific or archaeological activities should begin until a comprehensive research proposal is presented.

video via Dr. Mostafa Waziry

how Dr. Mostafa Waziri’s posts sparked Discontent and Debate

The Pyramid of Menkaure, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is widely believed to be the burial tomb of the Fourth Dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Menkaure. It stands as the smallest among the three structures in the Giza Necropolis, initially reaching a height of 65.5 meters. According to Arab News, in January 2024, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities commenced the restoration of the famous pyramid, focusing on revitalizing its facade by repositioning granite blocks that have reportedly fallen from their original location but remain in situ. The project, led by Dr. Mostafa Waziri, is expected to span three years.

Dr. Waziri shared glimpses of the restoration progress on Facebook and Instagram, accompanied by a simple caption: ‘Project of the Century and reassembling the granite blocks of the Third Pyramid’. The footage depicts workers setting blocks of granite on the base of the pyramid. The response to these posts has been mixed, with some expressing admiration while others voicing their discontent.‘Please, do not do that,’ mentioned one commenter. ‘It is destroying an ancient monument, a legacy for all humanity, not only today’s country of Egypt. Please respect the past. Do not make Disneyland from ancient legacy.’ Meanwhile, another Facebook user said: ‘Hiding the real value of the pyramids from the eyes, I think is the biggest mistake ever made. Personally, I would not like to visit an ancient site covered with modern technology.’ 

image by Shady Hassan via Unsplash

concerns raised by archaeologists and experts

Egyptian archaeologist and heritage professional Monica Hanna, is one of the experts who voiced her discontent with the restoration project.‘There is no proof that there are fallen blocks. Other blocks were quarried in from the medieval period and reused in other monuments,’ she explains in a Facebook post. ‘We cannot continue the work the Ancient Egyptians left, that would destroy the authenticity of the monument and would get it delisted from the Word Heritage List.’ Another prominent voice in Egyptology, Salima Ikram, also weighed in on the project via social media,sparking further debate. ‘Should anastylosis be carried out? This is a question that has vexed conservators, scholars, and the public. Perhaps yes to anastylosis, but no to any additional new blocks?’ she mentioned. ‘Ideas about restoration and conservation change a great deal, and what was thought to be great when it was done is often criticized 10 years later. It is a fine line to walk. It is worth remembering that many ancient Egyptian monuments were restored even in antiquity.’ 

However, dissenting voices emerged in the comments section, expressing reservations about the project. One commenter raised questions about the origin of the displaced blocks:‘Still more reasons not to do this: We don’t know why the blocks are there. Did they fall in an earthquake? Were they quarried and left, and if so when? Were they just left when the original work on the pyramid was abandoned? Was it a combination of some or all of these? Clearly careful archeological work should be done before any ‘restoration’ is attempted to answer these questions.’ Another commenter echoed similar concerns, critiquing the current justification for the project. ‘At the moment, the only justification is that the pyramid will be more photogenic for tourists…’ In response to the growing controversy, the Ministry of Antiquities took action, as reported by news outlet Al-Manassa. They decided to halt all work on the Menkaure Pyramid until a committee of specialists could assess the feasibility of the project and determine the most appropriate approach moving forward.

update posted by the Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities | image via Instagram

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Art D’Égypt celebrates the opening of Forever is Now III, the third annual desert exhibition backdropped by the Pyramids of Giza. This landmark event, founded by Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, is the first and only contemporary art exhibition to take place at the iconic UNESCO World Heritage site in Egypt, offering visitors an unprecedented opportunity for the public to experience the ancient and modern in dialogue — read designboom’s recent interview with the show’s founder here!

This year’s sculpture exhibition brings together fourteen local and international artists, including JR and Sabine Marcelis. Through their diverse practices, the artists trace the continuity of themes that stretch from our ancient past to the present day, while paying homage to the continued ingenuity of human civilization. Forever is Now III by Art D’Égypte will run from October 26th until November 18th, 2023.

The Ghost Temple by Sam Shendi | image ©️ AFP

art d’égypte in pictures

Egyptian-British artist Sam Shendi presents the ‘The Phantom Temple’ at Art D’Égypt’s Forever is Now. The artwork explores the imprint which ancient Egyptian civilization left on the land and how imagination can transport the viewer beyond time. His sculptural work is a link between the past and the future, and is designed to fit within any artistic context. The artist notes that his sculptures are ‘vibrant reflections of the human condition.’

Dutch artist Sabine Marcelis unveils her piece ‘Ra’ at Forever is Now III. Her installation is inspired by the sun, a sentiment influenced by the important site, which the artist notes is the birthplace of the sundial. Thus, her work not only represents a sundial but also harnesses the power of the sun, transforming it into energy. This reflects her deep respect for ancient Egyptian culture and their reverence for the sun god Ra.

Ra by Sabine Marcelis | image ©️ Kollectiv

Greek artist Costas Varotsos presents ‘Horizon,’ which examines the relationship between the Nile River and the Giza Plateau, emphasizing its significance for the world. He says, ‘This new horizon is defined through eight circles in which the world revolves. The celestial dome and the cycle of life expressed through the geometric shape of the circle are concepts related to the engineering of the pyramids and their history.

‘The importance of the artistic work is to establish a connection between all the natural elements of the surrounding area. For me, the horizon has always been a prediction of the future, towards something coming, defining the concept of the horizon in space, but at the same time determining the position toward life.’

Horizon by Costas Varotsos | image ©️ Kollectiv

French street artist JR will debut ‘From the Inside Out’ at the Art D’Égypte Forever is Now III exhibition. The project is a global platform that empowers communities to defend their values and incite local and global change through public art. JR will present a site-specific installation at the Pyramids of Giza that invites visitors to reflect on the power of art to amplify voices and promote social justice.

Inside Out Giza 2022/2023 by JR | image ©️ MO4
‘Lupine Aurora’ by Arne Quinze | image ©️ AFP

Reality is Timeless by Rashid Al Khalifa | image ©️ AFP

Treasures by Azza Al Qubaisi | image ©️ Kollectiv

Temple •I• by Stephan Breuer

project info:

exhibition title: Forever is Now III

organizer: CulturVator / Art D’Egypte | @artdegypte

location: Pyramids at Giza, Egypt

founder: Nadine Abdel Ghaffar

on view: October 25th — November 17th, 2023

photography: © AFP, Kollectiv

participating artists: Arne Quinze, Arthur Lescher, Azza Al-Qubaisi, Carol Feuerman, Dionysios, Costas Varotsos, JR, Stéphane Breuer, Mohamed Banawy, Pilar Zeta, Rashid Al Khalifa, Rashed Al Shashai, Sabine Marcelis, Sam Shendi

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Overlooking the shores of Marsa Alam, Egypt, this so-called Breathing House has been designed by Karm Architecture Lab (KAL). The work of contemporary architecture takes shape with a palette of natural materials including coral limestone and bamboo, and seems to emerge from the sandy terrain as a natural landform. The single-story three-bedroom family vacation home celebrates both the vast shoreline and the Red Sea beyond, offering a calm retreat along the edge of the Eastern desert. The design is informed by the climatic challenges of the region, thus emerging as a living entity that harmonizes with its natural environment.

The house is designed as a response to the area’s extreme climate, with summer temperatures sometimes rising to a scorching 50 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit). As the team’s environmental wisdom is rooted in the philosophies of biomimicry and biophilia, the architecture embodies a symbiotic relationship with its surroundings — adapting and reacting to climatic conditions to ensure the comfort of its occupants.

images © Farah Faheem, Hala Makhlouf

fossilized coral limestone: no two building blocks alike

As the Breathing House is crafted from the very bedrock it rests upon, Karm Architecture Lab (KAL) honors the ancient desert landscape once submerged beneath the Red Sea. Fossilized coral limestone, weathered and shaped over countless millennia, forms the sturdy load-bearing walls of the home. A sustainable building block expressive of the region’s legacy, the architects sourced this material from discarded rubble found near the site, eliminating the need for new excavations. The integration of this forgotten treasure reduced construction costs significantly, while inviting the skills of local craftsmen to foster community engagement.

a living, breathing house

The heavy earthen walls of KAL’s Breathing House demonstrate a useful synergy with the environment. With thicknesses of 45-centimeters and 60-centimeters, the walls a capacity to absorb and release heat to create comfortable indoor temperatures. Their porous nature allows for a unique form of respiration, not unlike human skin perspiration, as they occasionally produce droplets of condensation when temperatures shift. Beyond their functional role, these walls are naturally adorned with preserved fossils of ancient sea life, expressing the desert’s history for generations to come.

passive design to fight the desert heat

To combat the unrelenting desert sun, the Breathing House thoughtfully employs passive design strategies. A second skin of coral limestone and bamboo envelops the southern elevations of the home, akin to a protective shell sheltering desert creatures. This shield deflects the direct heat of the sun, preserving the cool interiors. The home’s orientation is informed by its surroundings, with its back entrance facing the sun while the sea-facing front embraces the Northern prevailing winds. Cantilevered roof slabs and strategically protruding walls further ward off excess heat, ensuring a temperate indoor environment even during the early hours.

The layout of the dwelling evokes a crab’s form, a floor plan which lends an interplay between the indoors and outdoors. Every interior space opens out with an unobstructed, 180-degree view of the Red Sea, while the compact yet porous plan integrates pockets of lush greenery. These spaces, soon to be filled with native plant-life, will become desert oases. In addition to these natural sanctuaries, the layout is cooled by cross-breezes invited through strategically positioned windows.

bamboo screens introduce a lightness to the otherwise heavy structure
fossilized coral is celebrated as a natural and unique ornament

during summer months, the area can reach temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit)

a second skin of coral limestone and bamboo shades the southern elevations of the home

heavy stone walls absorb and release heat, a common passive strategy for desert climates

project info:

project title: Breathing House

architecture: Karm Architecture Lab (KAL) | @karm.lab

location: Marsa Alam, Egypt

completion: 2021

photography: © Farah Faheem, Hala Makhlouf

lead architect: Farah Faheem

design team: Karim El Kafrawi
construction management: Mahmoud Emad, Wael Ahmed
general management: Ahmed Dawood, Mostafa Ascar
construction engineering: Mohamed Sobhy, Ahmed Adel

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Pedrali continues to expand its horizons, all the way to Khufu’s restaurant in Giza, Egypt. Under the design direction of Style Design Architects, the studio curated the culinary experience with the comfort and elegance of the furnishing brand. With striking views that overlook the Pyramids, the contemporary Italian products complement the ancient and traditional feel of the space – made with sandstone – as Pedrali’s collections enrich the space with luxurious narratives.

Style Design architects designs Khufu’s restaurant, furnished with Pedrali’s high-end products (Panarea armchairs by CMP Design)

all images courtesy of Aisha Gohar | © Nour El Refai

the project emerges with the curation of Style Design architects

Cairo-based interior design and architectural studio Style Design Architects emerges Kfufu’s Restaurant from the sand surrounding the Pyramids of Egypt. In partnership with Pedrali, history meets contemporaneity as the high-end furniture decorate the spaces, indoors and out. Whether at the bar, the lounge area or the dining area, the chairs, armchairs, tables and barstools offer the elegant comfort that characterizes the brand’s Italian craftsmanship. 

whether at the bar, the lounge area or the dining area, the chairs, armchairs, tables and stools of Pedrali offer elegant comfort

pedrali complements the earthy harmony of khufu’s restaurant

The earthy color scheme and natural materials are evident throughout the different spaces, highlighted further by Pedrali. Out on the terrace, the Panarea armchairs by CMP Design feature a traditional element in polypropylene cord hand-woven in Italy that wraps around the steel tube frame that is ideal for the outdoors. The seat cushion is dressed a in dry-feel polyurethane foam, covered in fabric made from the same yarn used for the woven element. 

Nemea chairs by CMP Design

To complement the calming hues of the ceiling, walls and floor, Pedrali’s Nemea chairs by CMP Design recall the idea of a classic gracefulness molded by time and tradition, which is ideal for how the restaurant’s architecture respects the historic surroundings. The product is made of ash veneered plywood, solid ash wood legs and has a die-cast aluminum frame. The combination of the various products create diversity without altering the harmony of the room. 

Nemea and Malmö by CMP Design

The linearity of the columns, pillars and lights is completed with the wooden version of the Malmö stools by CMP Design. Similar to the Malmö chairs, the product that adorns the bar area is made in an ash veneered plywood shell, with a solid ash wood frame and stainless steel footrests.

Malmö barstools

the combination of Pedrali’s various products create diversity without altering the harmony of the restaurant’s architecture

the various compositions of the furniture respect and highlight the restaurant’s architecture designed in natural materials

Pedrali adds a contemporary twist to the ancient and respected tradition of the space

project info:

name: Khufu’s Restaurant | @khufusrestaurant

design/architecture: Style Design Architects | @styledesignarchitects

furniture brand:  Pedrali | @pedralispa

products: Nemea; Malmo; Panarea

photography: Nour El Refai | @nourelrefai

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‘house at giza, egypt‘ takes shape as a giant stone sculpture that escapes the typical boxed blueprint. designed by new cairo-based badie architects, the project adopts a dynamic appearance that is informed by natural forms, welcoming the human habitation within. for this project, the design team utilized the advancements of computerization, avoiding any parallel line to form a series of voids and solids. this wild visual vocabulary creates a symbiosis between the abode and its surrounding environment, all the while seeking to bring its residents closer to nature. 

‘nature is our relief. it empowers us to follow its flows, be flexible, adaptable and celebrate the spirit of youthfulness. by blending the edge between the human habitat and the natural world, and stripping it from the past, present or future ties, we are creating a sympathetic and well-integrated structure with its surroundings to be part of a unified world.’all images by badie architects 

a structure devoid of parallel lines 

in an attempt to depict the innate connection with the natural world, the final design emerges as a cave-like structure, utilizing unrepeatable and unparalleled lines. avoiding mimicking nature, the design team simply seeks to form a dialogue between the human-made and the natural world. and that is achieved by using wild visual vocabulary. as the architects mention, they get immersed into the randomness of nature, in a dance between reality and dream. ‘this may appear as some form of notorious abandonment of order, but in fact it’s about submitting to the random flow of nature, letting go of artificial constraints, and joining its graceful dance of forms in a motion that lies somewhere between realism and idealism.’

for this project, the design team not only was based on innovative technologies but also on a system design that includes the artful integration of the structure with the rest of the social and material world.

project info:

name: house at giza, egypt
designer: badie architects

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina petridou | designboom

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jakob + macfarlane unveils its winning design of a new campus for the université française d’égypte (UFE). the proposal was submitted as a consortium comprising cairo-based architects raafat miller consulting (RMC), with the french engineering firm artelia and landscape architects sempervirens. the competition sought a team of architects whose vision would usher in a new era for the université française d’égypte in shorouk, cairo, which will welcome as many as 7,000 students.

dominique jakob and brendan macfarlane will lead on the design of a campus spanning over 32,000 square meters dedicated to learning, research, accommodation, catering, recreation, and administration. this project marks a significant moment for the firm, representing a culmination of knowledge and expertise gained over 20 years in architecture and academia.

the project is part of an ambitious strategic development plan, backed by the egyptian and french governments, a partnership between the egyptian ministry of higher education and scientific research and the agence française de développement (AFD).

image © UFE / jakob + macfarlane / RMC

in egypt, jakob + macfarlane looks to the nile

with its new campus for the université française d’égypte, jakob + macfarlane (see more here) combines the aesthetic and the practical. a passion for education and a commitment to sustainability shines throughout the project. the entire campus design is shaped according to the two dominant natural forces of the egyptian landscape — the sun and the nile. an overhead solar panel shade roof shelters the campus and provides energy. gray water from the accommodation areas will be captured and repurposed for landscape irrigation through a filtration system.

traditional architectural principles will be integrated into the buildings with a contemporary twist. structures evoking barjeel wind towers harnessed with modern mechanics will facilitate air circulation, and sunken gardens of endemic desert plants are present throughout, aiding in water conservation as well as providing outdoor lecture spaces.

image © UFE / jakob + macfarlane / RMC

a campus oasis

UFE’s new egypt campus by jakob + macfarlane embodies the vision of an oasis for convening people and ideas in a collaborative environment. the innovative, progressive design by jakob + macfarlane pushes the boundaries of sustainable architecture whilst representing local context in materials, form, and landscape.

the plans for the shorouk campus align with the vision of the united nations framework convention on climate change for the year 2050 and set new standards for green academic campuses in the region.

project info:

client: université française d’egypte

architecture: jakob + macfarlane, raafat miller consulting (RMC)

engineering: artelia

landscape architecture: sempervirens

location: shorouk, cairo, egypt

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this series by photographer karim amr captures an ethereal atmosphere over the pyramids and deserts of egypt. seeking to develop a unique language across his images that was separate from the more typical travel photos, karim instills his work with a spirit that highlights the vast, empty solitude of the landscape. 

singling out a lone figure, tree, or moon overhead, each frame reminds the viewer of the desert’s lonely quietness. a trio of pyramids at giza emerge from the hazy horizon, stacking through space behind a small cluster of travelers in the distant foreground. the distinct representation of these pyramids grounds their monumentality and their ancient, mysterious presence.

all images © karim amr | @krimamr

abstracted photography over egypt

through his photography, karim amr translates the desert landscape of egypt into an atmospheric abstraction. the endless dunes might fill the entire frame to become a flattened series of layers, expressing textural windswept sands. in some images the horizon is demarcated by a stark, graphic block of color. in others, it fades gently as a hazy gradient of soft hues. 

the presentation of this photo series is timely, as it coincides with this week’s opening of the exhibition, an encounter with the petit prince in paris (see more here). the show displays original pages and drawings by antoine de saint-exupéry whose work and life was very much shaped by his time spent in the african desert. he notes, ‘this is the loveliest and saddest landscape in the world.‘ the landscape’s representation by karim amr heavily parallels the sketches by saint-exupéry, with their minimal lines and empty space.

project info:

author: karim amr | @krimamr

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