DesignSTREET STORYYear: 2018 Location: Downtown, Cairo Client: National Organization for Urban Harmony Scope: Research and Design The National Organization for Urban Harmony (NOUH) commissioned CLUSTER to develop a concept design proposal for the Downtown street signage project. The project aims to highlight how the streets, together with the urban fabric of Downtown Cairo, have evolved…
DesignCINEMA RIOYear: 2017 Location: Downtown, Cairo Client: Zawya Scope: Research and Design The importance of Rio Cinema lies within the opportunity it poses as one of the few outdoor venues in the heart of Cairo. The project is intended to renovate Bab al-Luk’s Rio Cinema with the aim of turning it into a space that…
PublicationsALEXANDRIA WALKING TOURYear: 2017 Alexandria contains some of Egypt’s finest examples of architectural and urban heritage. One of the first cities in Egypt to experience modernization, beginning in the early 19th century, Alexandria’s booming economy, cosmopolitan culture and diverse historical layers have all contributed to a robust Downtown. Over the past few decades, downtown Alexandria…
ProgramsADVANCED INFORMALITY EXHIBITIONYear: 2017 Location: Institut français d’archéologie orientale – IFAO Clients and Partners: The French Institute, IFAO, Pro Helvetia, ETH Scope: Exhibition The ETH Zurich Master of Advanced Studies Program in Urban Design at the Chair of Marc Angélil and directed by Charlotte Malterre-Barthes initiated an investigation on informal settlements in Cairo in collaboration…
MappingAMMAN STAIRWAYSYear: 2017 Location: Amman, Jordan Client: Columbia University Scope: Mapping and Research Amman is a city characterized by its distinct topography–hills and valleys– through which it has evolved along cascading/climbing urban development. A hilltop-slope-valley cross section may offer a topological condition to understand not only Amman’s urban evolution, but its social, economic and cultural…
DesignALWANATYear: 2017 Location: Al-Minya, Egypt Client: Goethe Institut Scope: Research and Design Goethe Institut and Robert Bosch Stiftung have commissioned CLUSTER to develop a concept design proposal and cost assessment for the rooftop of Alwanat al-Minya. The building sits in a middle-class neighborhood, vibrant with street life and in close proximity (150m) with the Nile…
ProgramsDESERT CITIES BOOK LAUNCH AND PANEL DISCUSSIONYear: 2017 Location: Townhouse Gallery, Downtown Cairo Clients and Partners: Pro Helvetia, ETH Scope: Book launch and Panel discussion Cairo’s Desert Cities Editors: Marc Angélil and Charlotte Malterre- Barthes in collaboration with Something Fantastic and CLUSTER Book Launch and Panel discussion with: Charlotte Malterre-Barthes, Director, MAS Urban Design David…
DesignSOUQ BAB AL-LUQYear: 2017 Location: Downtown, Cairo Client: DEDI Scope: Research and Design The Bab al-Luq market was established in 1912 as a modern covered market inspired by Les Halles in Paris. It was state of the art when it came to accessibility, light, hygiene and organization. The market has been decaying since then, and…
PublicationsSTREET VENDORS INITIATIVEYear: 2017 Street Vendors and the Contestation of Public Space documents a time of rapid political and urban change in Cairo, between 2011- 2015. It focuses on the issue of street vendors as an entry point to broader questions regarding who owns, controls, and uses public space. While this study may contribute to…
DesignMISAHA GARDENYear: 2017 Location: Dokki, Giza Client: Goethe Institut Scope: Research and Design As part of their plan to relocate from Downtown to the new site in Dokki, where their library is already situated, the Goethe Institut in Cairo is interested in contributing to the local community through a public space intervention promoting more diverse…