CAIRO WEST
Since their inception in the 1980s, Cairo satellite cities have been challenged as a “new hybrid globalized Americano-Mediterranean lifestyle”, projecting a disconnected urban model from its context. Yet these settlements offer qualities appreciated by their inhabitants; a loose and open urban fabric, green spaces, desert-quiet environment and a better air quality. This is an apartment block with 16 units in one of these satellite cities, that attempts to create ‘urbanity’ – a more benevolent and attractive environment –, with a simple and versatile structure, enlightened by vernacular strategies to harness the climate.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e5c252f3fdd93f1c2b097369a86a07af367945c8fde5fd7373e046458a029dff/All_Binder_Page_03.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/419fafeb8d49551ed3a60dab5c689cfce9f685f6d3fe5715affd84c6449bdd0d/006_side-facade.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fd9d5f42f7f578ee7f19fec4b5f4ad7e4c7e4584a7e3175c9b04a28a0768aba8/elev_1-far-copy.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b7e867868f70d9c57e8a5514080eb7b077b93aca916e7d8ec4d1b4c48523b71c/All_Binder_Page_02.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/525b7f0d4e563675dc13d4019636746218895ed75d002b107bd4f2b4006ef97b/Cairo_plan1.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d8c04d3a35e76bf41665e7594a700c1fd8d41ecd58ec27edb1a040d6eb940666/elev_2.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/be4b542c0c9dd1707b6bce868e17015f66f86e2ff392485a5614529d3d8be84c/006_INTERIOR_ENFILADE-edit2.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4a8dd4b96048c86ffda0c1f2971aac685cdbdc4397bfd673f4ed62a610ad1d26/Cairo_zoom.jpg)
The building is a compact 5-level high volume with a single-height portico wraping the east and north entrances. Conversely, on the south and west side, the floor slabs project to generate outdoors spaces for the flats that are protected by a simple array of vertical piers, that in turn define distinct elevations to each side. The apartments are distributed along 4 bays in dual aspect typologies and thus cross-ventilated. The typologies are based on a basic enfilade of rooms, including two duplexes with gardens on the ground floor and larger penthouses with a more spacious living room and a terrace. The roof top of the building signals its presence by means of a collection of machines – potentially ensuring the building's self-sufficiency – that counterbalance its formal consistency. The
façade is finished with a light render and filtered by vivid balustrades and curtains, which provide shading possibilities to each flat.
4.450 m2
Cairo, Egypt
In collaboration with Galaad Van Daele