Pathways, alleys and in-betweens
Pathways, alleys and in-betweens
Shubra housing
Spring 2016 | Housing Studio, The American University in Cairo
ABOUT SITE
Shubra, now 200 years old, is a middle class residential area. However, back in 1800s, after Mohamed Ali Pasha made it an official district, Shubra was a favored place for the aristocrats to live in. One thing that has not changed throughout the years is Shubra's status as a residential city. Always a popular shopping district, Shubra's name means village in the Coptic Language, and true to this, it is home to a large Coptic Population
Shubra site has, until this day, been occupied by a heavily dense cluster of buildings, buildings of up to 22 storeys that are located on the waterfront of the Nile, which created both physical and visual barrier between the area and the Nile.
Design concept is to build high waterfronts while maximizing view through multi-leveled intersecting axes viewpoints and play of solid and void ratios, always making sure not to waste space. Site consists of diverse group of residents all living close to one another though they live different lives. Lots of families brought together in an urban space that is still family friendly.
This site is an urban neighborhood with communal areas with a central piazza for large events and celebrations. The project allows for higher density on the waterfront without compromising the rest of the residents' visual connection to the Nile.
Solid - Void
Building use
Masterplan
P4
Gateways
Prototypes
P1
P2
P3
Landscape Analysis
Prototype 1
Mixed-use building attached to a podium where the market and public spaces are located.
Prototype 2
Apartment Building for the upper average class.
