Modern Egypt and Contemporary Egyptian Architecture
Modern Egypt and Contemporary Egyptian Architecture,
Contemporary Egyptian architecture draws from a rich history of civilization and distinction,
as the transcontinental Egyptian state has influenced diverse building styles and design cultures.
It became home to some of the earliest urban developments and centralized governments,
as Egypt is defined by its geography and multicultural background.
Today, modern Egyptian architecture deals with a building legacy that stretches back thousands of years.
The influence of Egyptian civilization on architecture
Much of the world knows Egypt for its temples and tombs, the Great Sphinx,
or the iconic Giza pyramid complex, as Egypt’s roots are linked to the Mediterranean, Africa and the Middle East.
Because most of the country’s population is concentrated along the Nile Valley and Delta,
they have historically avoided the extreme desert conditions of the Western and Libyan Deserts.
The country has built many modern projects over the past decade, reflecting how architects designed to reinterpret the country’s history and traditions.
Contemporary projects built across Egypt
Basuna Mosque
A mosque is located in the Hara and Barren Village of Sohag Governorate.
It was built in the middle of a noisy and densely built area with nearby residential buildings.
The house of Arafa for architecture built the mosque next to a cemetery,
and a small makeshift weekly market outside the main entrance to this house of worship.
The new building was created to provide calm and tranquility to its users.
Library of Alexandria
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina was built on a site beside the ancient port of Alexandria in the historic center of the city, and was designed by Snøhetta.
The 11-storey library building holds up to 4 million volumes of books,
and can be expanded up to 8 million using compressed storage.
In addition to the facilities attached to the library,
it also contains other cultural and educational functions including a planetarium,
several museums, an information science school, and preservation facilities.
Wadi El Gemal National Park (WGNP)
The Wadi El-Gamal Visitor Center building was designed by the Egyptian Land Building Society,
and is located 50 km south of Marsa Alam city on the Egyptian Red Sea coast.
This area has been officially declared the 24th Reserve in Egypt due to its amazing natural scenery,
in addition to its important cultural resources.
The visitor center is located at the northern entrance to the WGNP,
which is located as a focal point along the Suez Beach/Ber Shalateen Expressway.
Katameya Dunes Palace
Architect and interior designer Hisham Alaa won the design of the Katameya Palace project in July 2017.
The building was only a concrete structure that had already been built and purchased by the owner.
The client had the desire to live in a luxurious modern mansion overlooking the views of the Katameya Dunes Golf Course.
Khufu Observatory Residence
Designed by Malka Architecture Studio, the project is located on the plateau of the Giza Cemetery, in the village of Nazlet El-Samman.
The ancient site of this project was founded in the 7th century by desert tribes fascinated by the pyramids.
The Khufu Observatory is an artist’s residence, with a gate at the entrance to the desert,
and an inhabited belvedere within walking distance of the largest pyramids and the Giza plateau.
Al-Ezba Roundabout Cultural Center
Dawar Al-Ezba Cultural Center was designed by the engineer Ahmed Hossam Saafan,
and it is a social institution located in Ezbet Khairallah, which is considered one of the largest slums in Cairo.
The center provides employment and vocational training opportunities for migrant, refugee and Egyptian women,
through catering and other forms of food production.
The building also aims to change the deteriorating architectural fabric
by showcasing the possibilities of using existing resources to create aesthetic and functional value..
