City Identity Through the Mirror of Cars: An Architectural Reading of Urban Planning and Culture Through the Streets
Landing at the airport of a new city, it only takes a few moments on its streets to sense that…
Author: ibrahim Fawakherji
Articles published under the pen name Ibrahim Fawakherji, an ArchUp columnist with a professional background in architecture, design and building management. This archive brings together his original writing across these fields and urban life. For the column’s editorial focus and essays, visit the Fawakherji Column. Contact ArchUp about reuse permissions; unauthorized republication may be referred for removal.
Which Comes First: The Shoe or the Shoe Rack?
On Architecture, Habits, and the Overlooked Symbolism in Entryway DetailsIn scenes from luxury villa tours on social media platforms, especially…
Abandoned Hospitals: Between Urban Ghosts and Architectural Redemption
In the heart of cities that once envisioned healthcare as a civic monument, abandoned hospitals now stand as vast, decaying…
Not Every Client is Worthy of Their Project: On Architecture, Inattention, and a Price Not Measured by the Meter
On an ordinary afternoon this week, I was quietly observing a discussion in the office between our Head of Design…
Are We Designing As We Watch?
The Impact of Short-Form Videos on Architecture and Cognitive Decision-MakingBy the Editor-in-Chief – ArchUpA recent study published in the scientific…
White Collars in Architecture and Design: Are We Witnessing the Rise of a New Class?By the Editor-in-Chief
In the early 20th century, the term white collar emerged to distinguish office workers—clerks, administrators, professionals—from the industrial blue collar…
Architectural Events and Exhibitions: July–August 2025
A Research Overview by ArchUp EditorialBetween summer’s high temperatures and the season’s peak in architectural dialogues, the months of July…
The Kitchen as a Stage: Why American Families Pose in the Heart of the Home
In the endless gallery of American family portraits, a curious trend persists: the kitchen—pristine, spacious, and glowing with polished countertops—is…
Excess or Disgust: Architecture Between Material Surplus and Aesthetic Scarcity
By the Editor-in-Chief – ArchUpIn the corners of emerging cities, materials accumulate as questions do. The abundance of building materials…
Concrete Doesn’t Shudder: What Does Job Extinction Mean for the Future of Construction?
In an era where brains are replaced by processors and years of experience are compressed into a .zip file, global…
Museum Heist: When Architecture Becomes a Cinematic Game
Have you ever wondered why museum heists are among the most thrilling scenes in global cinema? Why are museums always…
Memory in Stone: How Architecture Carries the Sacred Burden of Preservation
Humanity’s deep-rooted impulse to preserve sacred texts, cultural symbols, communal memories is inseparable from architecture. Throughout history, buildings served not…
The Architecture Job Market in Mid-2025: A Global Surge Rooted in Practical Expertise
Discover the trends of the Architecture Job in Mid-2025, featuring a surge in demand for skilled architects across disciplines. As…
Designing for Radiation: A Practical Architecture Guide for At-Risk Zones
As global tensions rise and the risk of nuclear incidents becomes more pronounced, people in exposed areas need clear, actionable…
Green Hajj for a Sustainable Environment
As the largest annual gathering of people on Earth, Hajj brings together nearly three million Muslims from around the globe…
Between Blueprint and Heartbeat: The Architect–Client Relationship
One evening, while flipping through a cultural documentary series on an international channel, I came across a guest whose presence…
The Critical Role of Professional Building Inspectors: A Comprehensive Guide
In the realm of architecture and real estate, ensuring the structural integrity and compliance of buildings is paramount. Engaging a…
Royal Architecture: Power, Identity, and the Legacy of Sovereigns in Stone
In the grand theatre of history, kings and queens have long understood the profound truth that power is best expressed…
The Client: How Emotions, Family Dynamics, and Personality Shape Architectural Projects
Introduction: Architecture as Emotional TranslationIn a recent panel discussion I attended, a professor shared a revealing anecdote. Before delivering a…
Wicked 2024: How Architecture and Color Bring the Story to Life
The University of Shiz: Where Neo-Gothic Meets Sustainable FantasyThe University of Shiz, the film’s central architectural icon, blends 19th-century Neo-Gothic grandeur with…
Chromatic Currents & Textural Shifts: Material and Color Trends at 2025
The 2025 edition of Salone del Mobile brought more than aesthetic statements it introduced a chromatic language and material tactility…
