ATHAR
GRADUATION PROJECT
GRADUATION PROJECT
Faculty of Engineering – Cairo University
Department of Architecture.
Project year: 2020.
Location: Opera Square, Cairo, Egypt.
Project typology: Mixed-use Cultural Platform.
Site area: 14,600 sqm.
Grade: A+
Supervised by: Dr. Aly Gabr - Dr. Mennatallah Elhusseiny
TA. Mohamed Atef - TA. Shahira Alhosary - TA. Omar Aboulnaga
TA. Mohamed Atef - TA. Shahira Alhosary - TA. Omar Aboulnaga
‘’The project resembles a contemporary social and cultural platform that is based on the revival of the memory of the place, via revealing traces of the past and layering glimpses of the future.’’
Reviving the memory of the old Opera visually without rebuilding it typically, through the traces in form and functions and mixing layers of culture and identity. Taking a walk from Ibrahim pasha’s statue, it restores the concept of a plaza for gathering through multi-functional activities. Going interiorly, the main focus is the spatial experience by the sense of fragmentation of boxes placed in diversity with the atriums to show the dynamism of activities. As the Opera was the source of art and culture, that is traced through the educational and cultural awareness area. The flexible access serves as a cultural space connecting visitors and the building. Another layer of tracing history is the main hall with a stage in the same place as the old opera ones.
Eventually, the elevation facing Attaba Square revives the old “Matatia” building concepts, by layering the same ratios of solids and voids, and also the arcades at the ground level.
Therefore, the whole building is tied by: the cultural palimpsest concept.
“The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.” (Theodore Roosevelt)
Cairo as a city with thousands years of civilization has gone through several changes since its establishment in the region of the Fatimid state. Recently, Cairo has suffered from continuous deteriorations as many social, economic and environmental problems have arisen threatening the historical heritage and the unique urban form that the city has. One of these examples, located between Attaba square and Opera square within the heart of Cairo, an assembly point of two contrasting fabrics and historical eras that both has shaped Cairo, but currently, it is being used as Opera garage and its administration building. Therefore, that is exactly the project location. The potentials of the plot are numerous, starting from its Historic value, memory of the place, high degree of exposure, integration-ability with Azbakya Garden, being surrounded by one of the richest variety of population, iconic architecture possibilities and the main one is the loss of the old unique Opera house that was burnt down and replaced with Opera garage.
