EGYPT : Shaping the Future: 04 Egyptian Architects Redefining African Architecture and Empowering Women

Earlier this year, Africans Column, a platform dedicated to celebrating African excellence in art, architecture, and design, released its prestigious list of the 50 Influential African Women Architects. Among the honourees were four remarkable Egyptian women whose contributions transformed the architectural landscape and redefined the role of women in this field. These women have reached extraordinary professional heights while maintaining their private lives and family commitments, making them inspiring role models for future generations of architects.

Magda Mostafa: Pioneering Autism-Inclusive Design

Image via LinkedIn

Magda Mostafa, an architect and Principal of StudioTM, is also a Professor of Design at the American University in Cairo (AUC). She is internationally recognised for her pioneering work in autism-inclusive design, particularly through developing the ASPECTSS™ design guidelines. This framework, the first research-based model for designing spaces for individuals with autism, has significantly impacted architectural projects across five continents.

Mostafa’s achievements have earned her prestigious awards, including the UIA International Research Award in 2014 and a second award in 2023. Her work was also showcased at the Venice Architecture Biennales in 2021 and 2023. In addition to her architectural practice, Mostafa co-directs the UNESCO-UIA education commission, where she helps shape global architectural education policies.

May Al-Ibrashy: Preserving Egypt’s Architectural Heritage

Image via Ahram

May Al-Ibrashy is a conservation architect with nearly 30 years of experience and also an Architectural Engineer Professor at AUC. She is the founder and chair of the Built Environment Collective, an NGO dedicated to preserving Egypt’s architectural and cultural heritage. Her work in Historic Cairo, specifically restoring the Shrine of al-Imam al-Shafi’i, has earned her recognition from organisations such as the US Embassy in Cairo and The Barakat Trust.

Al-Ibrashy’s dedication to heritage conservation is both professional and personal. She believes in the power of architecture to connect people with their history and works closely with local communities to ensure they are integral to any preservation project. Her initiatives, such as the Athar Lina Initiative, demonstrate her commitment to participatory conservation that benefits both the community and the built environment.

Sarah El Battouty: Championing Green Architecture and Sustainability

Illustration via x.com

Sarah El Battouty founded ECOnsult, which has led the way in green building and sustainable development for over 18 years. Her innovative approach to architecture has earned her international recognition, with projects in Egypt, Italy, and China. As a senior advisor to the Egyptian president on sustainable community development, El Battouty has played a key role in shaping Egypt’s environmental policies, including energy and water conservation initiatives and the Paris Climate Agreement.

El Battouty’s influence extends beyond architecture. She is a Global Ambassador for the UN Climate Change Campaigns and the first Egyptian to be recognised as a UN Sustainable Development Leader. Her work promoting sustainability has also earned her recognition as a Green Entrepreneur by Bloomberg Good Business.

Shahira Fahmy: Building the Arab Future

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Shahira Fahmy, founder of Shahira Fahmy Architects, established her practice in Cairo in 2005. Since then, her firm has gained international acclaim, winning awards in cities such as London, Chicago, Switzerland, Istanbul, and Dubai. Her work spans architecture, urbanism, product design, and art. Her work has also been featured in prominent publications like The New York Times, The Architects’ Journal, and The Architectural Review.

Fahmy’s impact extends beyond her work in architecture. She is a visiting professor at Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation and has been a guest critic and speaker at prestigious institutions like Harvard, Yale, and MIT.

source/content: cairo360.com / Safy Allam / (headline edited)

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EGYPT

LEBANESE-FRENCH Lina Ghotmeh Awarded Winner of the ‘Great Arab Minds’ (GAM) Awards 2023 in Architecture & Design

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has announced Prof. Lina Ghotmeh, architect and professor of architecture, as the winner of the first Great Arab Minds (GAM) award in the architecture and design category, in recognition of her timeless contributions to global architecture.

In a tweet published on his official X account, Sheikh Mohammed congratulated Prof. Ghotmeh on winning the first award in this category of GAM, the Arab world’s largest movement launched in 2022 to search for exceptional Arab talents in various fields. Prof. Ghotmeh’s insightful work and research highlight the intimate relationship between architecture and nature.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said that architecture and architectural landmarks are the foundation of the distinguishing features that set cities and communities apart, and the building blocks of their identities and values, making them easily recognised. He added that they are also timeless tales of the creative outputs of humanity and the rise of civilisations.

Prof. Ghotmeh has a remarkable track record in her field. She has overseen the development of over 65 global architectural projects, including renowned museums, exhibitions and cultural buildings. More specifically, Ghotmeh conducts in-depth analyses of environments and meticulously selects materials that are not only suitable for each setting but also capable of withstanding harsh conditions. Her unique approach ensures that all her projects are evolved and practical outcomes of her research on coexisting with nature and the surrounding environment.

Among Prof. Ghotmeh’s most notable works is a building near the industrial port of Beirut, which survived the 2020 Beirut explosion, having been designed using innovative techniques and select local materials.

www.linaghotmeh.com

source/contents: wam.ae (headline edited)

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FRANCE / LEBANON