Tourist and Local Immersion // Cairo

G7 projects with Nestor Montenegro by alia sabry

research // HOUSING COMMUNITIES CONCLUSIONS

AIR BNB

COUCH SURFING

BEHOMM

unique travel experience

specific community

share your home share your life global community

similar interests offer kindness

belong ANYWHERE

home exchange

social responsibility stay curious

feel safe

leave it better than you found it coexistence

cairo // EGYPT F A S T

F A C T S

cairo // EGYPT F A S T

F A C T S

Egypt is situated at the northeastern corner of Africa and the southwestern corner of Asia.

Its access of the Suez Canal gives it critical access to the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, making it a key player between two of the worlds continents.

The land spans over an area of around 1M km2 and has a population greater than 87M, with around 20M living in the capital city, Cairo.

Egypt’s official language is Arabic, linking it strongly with the Middle East Arab population, and the official religion is Islam with a around 90% of Egyptians and a minority of Coptic Christians. page 02

cairo // EGYPT THE PEOPLE

Since the start of the Egyptian revolution in January 2011, the segmentation of the population has become more distinct, with four main groups.

1. Underprivileged: Around 50% of the population are poor, living somewhere around the poverty line, fighting for food and work. They are uneducated and sheltered in their communities; they have no exposure to the outside world and are easily influenced.

2. Religious: The religious segment of society is another main segment. They are conservative and set in their ways and reluctant to change. This group grew significantly in the first years of the revolution and they had a lot of influence with the underprivileged, using them to increase their popularity and their voice during protests and elections.

3. Revolutionary Youth: This group was the main initiator of the revolution. They are educated, middle and upper class youth who are non-conformist and eager for change. They were the first people to get in the streets and stand up to corruption.

4. Rich: This is a very small segment of society, comprised of around 2-5% of society. They are well educated and well exposed, but they are not necessarily active. They work in the highest positions of big influential companies, as well as high government posts, and they have a lot of power through their connections.

cairo // EGYPT

PEOPLE PROFILE

WELL - CONNECTED HIGH EDUCATION BILINGUAL / TRILINGUAL MONEY NETWORK INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS

COMMITED TO A CAUSE TOLERANT OPEN-MINDED NON-CONFORMISTS FIGHTERS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS SOCIALLY INVOLVED LOCALS AT HEART NATIONALISTS

The exposure and power of the “rich” and “active youth” present an optimistic potential for Egypt.

On one side, we have the rich who are well connected, have gone to the best schools, and the majority of them are either bilingual or trilingual. Because of their access to the best jobs in the country, they earn high salaries and have strong business and political networks. They are also exposed to the outside world, which they regularly go, whether for vacation or for work purposes. These opportunities further strengthen their connections on a global scale.

On the other side, there are the active youth. These are middle and upper class people who are non-conformists and are eager for change. They are also generally well educated and have exposure, but on a more local level. They interact with people on the streets and see the many faces and lifestyles that exist. They are committed to ending corruption and are continuously active in fighting for their rights, and the rights of the population.

cairo // EGYPT SOCIAL RESTRICTIONS

TRADITIONAL SOCIETY EMPHASIS ON MARRIAGE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY MALE-DOMINATED SOCIETY LIVE WITH FAMILY UNTIL MARRIAGE Egypt remains slightly stuck between tradition and modernity and this is especially evident with regards to independence and marriage. It is a patriarchal society where men have more freedom and are encouraged to be slightly more involved in the modern world while women are restricted by influences from tradition and religion to a large extent. Independence for women is limited and even with marriage they often substitute one restrictive household (the family) for another (the husband’s).

cairo // EGYPT

EFFECT ON BEING

NO SENSE OF FREEDOM NO PERSONAL SPACE NO PRIVACY NO FULL CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE NO SENSE OF INDEPENDENCE NO VALUE FOR MONEY Family ties provide a double-edged problem; on one hand families are closer but this comes at the expense of personal freedom. Families are highly involved in their children’s lives and often children live with their parents up until marriage. As a consequence personal space shrinks for children as they grow into adults, which leads to frustration due to the lack of privacy. Privacy is not the only problem but extends further into control, where children do not gain full control for their lives even as adults, stifling independence for the youth.

cairo // EGYPT CURRENT CONSEQUENCES OF LIVING ALONE

SOCIAL FRICTION JUDGEMENTS INSECURITY CLASHES WITH PARENTS + EXTENDED FAMILY FROWNED UPON GIRLS PERCEIVED AS “LOOSE” Social freedom in Egypt is restricted but even more so for women. Society as a whole judges and evaluates and quantifies them, mostly from a purely conservative angle. This judgment can lead to clashes with parents and extended family over what is expected of a young woman based on what “other” people could see. A woman’s independence, character and strength could at times be frowned upon and perceived as “loose” rather than any of the former.

cairo // EGYPT

NEEDS TO LIVE ALONE

OPPORTUNITY ACCEPTANCE FREEDOM INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY OF SAME In a society that is dominated by men, women’s needs become abstract. Expression and independence require an opportunity for these women to evolve and grow without the shackles of society. Acceptance is an important aspect that allows women to not only be given the opportunity, but also the means to be integrated in a larger body of people. This would require a community built from like-minded individuals that could reflect another portion of society. With this independence, Egypt could be granted the freedom to act, live and think independently from societal constraints.

cairo // EGYPT SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE: HOW TO GAIN IT IN EGYPT

In Egypt, it is hard to deviate from what is expected and considered to be socially acceptable. In a society where independence and freedom are hard to come by, traits which are considered outspoken and different get pushed aside. The challenge to break the norms, as well as challenge yourself is often a difficult task. Aside from being faced with the obstacle of having a difficult task to achieve, there is the

“TO BE A CHAMPION YOU NEED TO HANDLE STRESS AND PRESSURE, AND HELMY MY SON YOU SUCCEEDED, YOU HAVE PREPARED MENTALLY & PHYSICALLY FOR THIS..

WELL DONE MY CHAMPION... YOUR NUMBER ONE FAN “ - MOM

added pressure of social rejection. If you are able to break those barriers and achieve what many in society deem impossible, acceptance is given.

Acceptance in this case stems from respect and admiration.

Social acceptance can be hard to come by for many in Egypt who think or seek different goals from what is perceived acceptable by society.

Completing challenges that for some seem distant becomes a source of pride, not just in an individual sense but for the nation itself. People perceive it as a means for promoting Egypt and our brand by sending out great ambassadors across the world through travel. These ambassadors offer different views and unique outlooks on Egypt and the experiences of those who live in it.

cairo // EGYPT

SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE

BY BRINGING PRIDE TO EGYPT

Ideas become part of our culture when they are proven to be successful. Success is often related to pride or recognition that comes back to Egypt. With the recent 60 years of slow downfall, the need for achievement and the feeling of pride in Egypt has been increasing.

The decrease in tourism has also given Egyptians less

BY OFFERING

BY PROMOTING TOURISM

A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

of a reason to feel proud. A big part of the country’s economy relies on the tourism industry, from service jobs to business owners.

A project which reverberates to the outside world, about a community and culture that welcomes citizens of the world and creates a direct line of communication between Egypt and the world would increase tourism in Egypt. Not only by attracting tourists but my improving the quality of their experiences.

The way to attract tourists is to offer a unique experience and a new way to travel.

cairo // EGYPT

TOURIST PROFILE

The Arab Spring has brought

revenues drop to $5.9 billon.

the Islamic era awaits Egypt’s

about an ebb in the Egyptian

Europe remains the largest

visitors. The Mediterranean

tourism industry over the

market for tourists into Egypt

and Red sea offer two different

past three years. In 2010,

and accounts for about 63%

distinct

Egypt had almost 15 million

of tourism. The reason behind

from white sandy beaches to

tourists and counted around

this popularity is the jovial and

beautiful corals and deep-sea

$12.5 billion in revenue. In

good-humored

disposition

diving. For a country with

2014, the number of tourists

of the Egyptian people. A

a lot to offer, the prices are

has dropped to 9.5 million

history that extends from

considered reasonable with

and consequently has seen

the pharaonic civilization to

beautiful weather year round.

seaside

holidays

cairo // EGYPT CURRENT EXPERIENCE OF BEING A TOURIST IN EGYPT

TOURIST BUSES HOTELS BAD HOSTELS TRAVEL PACKAGES (LESS FLEXIBILITY) CLICHE PLAN

ISOLATED EXPERIENCE LIMITED MOVEMENT LANGUAGE BARRIER CULTURAL/SOCIAL BARRIERS LACK OF INFORMATION NO SENSE OF SECURITY

From the moment you land on this mystical and ancient land you are ushered onto a bus, which

The experience of visiting Egypt could be isolated with little or no interaction with the hustle and

becomes your looking glass for the entire country. Through busy streets in an air-conditioned bus

bustle on the streets, and no feeling for the aroma and ambiance of Egypt. Visits are often spent

you gaze upon ancient temples and shrines that have stood 7,000 years in an unimaginative and

being shuttled around through buses from hotels to museums with little movement or mobility

tepid experience. Chain hotels are your place of stay with their lack of authenticity and personalized

and opportunities to experience. Visitors often feel disconnected from the population by language

atmosphere. Hostels for backpacker travels are often poorly managed or deteriorated, as well as

and cultural issues that augment the isolation. This contained experience offers a sense of looming

scattered. The travel experience in Egypt is underwhelming for a country with so much to offer

threat for incoming visitors who often feel uninformed on the country and insecure to wander

and can often be cliched. Travel packages that include bed and breakfast for a relatively cheap

around.

price unfortunately offer minimal experience.

cairo // EGYPT

TOURIST NEEDS

IMMERSED EXPERIENCE LOCAL FRIENDS EYE TO EYE EXPERIENCE CUSTOMIZED TRIP Travel should be centered around the country and experiencing its many sights, smells and tastes catered for tourists of a different palette. An experience where tourists become immersed in Egypt’s culture of arts, literature, music and food, exhibiting a wide range of norms that illustrate this complex culture. An experience where tourists are shuttled from one conversation to another, to the next restaurant or show a dynamic where Egypt is portrayed in a unique light.

A trip that could be tailored for each and every palette to offer not just a hotel, flight and the sights, but an experience of what it is like to be in Egypt.

cairo // EGYPT

THE NEEDS COMBINED

TRAVELLERS NEEDS IMMERSED EXPERIENCE LOCAL FRIENDS EYE TO EYEV EXPERIENCE CUSTOMIZED TRIP

LOCALS

A living space that serves and augments

ACCEPTANCE

Travelers coming to Egypt often spend their time in Egypt riding in a glass bubble oblivious to

OPPORTUNITY

two separate experiences in one, on one hand independence and freedom for locals from societal constraints, and provide an immersed experience for travelers. Locals seek to escape the shackles of Egyptian societal constraints and become exposed to different ideas, cultures and norms.

COMMUNITY OF SAME

the sounds and smells around them, isolated from Egypt and the Egyptians. A living space could

INDEPENDENCE

culture. Interaction will allow travelers the opportunity to

COMMUNITY OF SAME

create a community with different travelers coming and going, exposing themselves to a different

make friendships, as well as get local recommandations for customized experiences. The space is not merely a living accommodation but a community, a social hub fusing both Egyptian locals and travelers to meet, communicate and exchange ideas, and share experiences.

project // SITE C E N T R A L// CSITE AIRO project F A S T

F A C T S

project // SITE project SITE C O N N E C // TIO NS F A S T

F A C T S

project // SITE

F A S T F A C T S POTENTIAL PLOT

project // SITE SITE IMAGES: NILE

project // SITE SITE IMAGES: HOUSES

project // PROGRAM HOME ACTIVITES

As an approach to the program the basic activities undergone in a home were isolated. One activity can occupy a single space, or a collective of actvities can define a space. Playing with program and activities one can learn about privacy and intimacy vs sharing and exposing. In a culture like Egypt where isolating certain activities is a strong part of the culture, this step is necessary in order to redefine spaces and their use. To redefine which specific activities cannot be shared in order to abide by the social and legal laws of Egypt.

project // PROGRAM SPACE REQUIREMENTS

PRIVATE

ACTIVITY

ka ka , pipi

TOOLS

PER PERSON

being inti mate

Brushing Teeth

0.3

WASH BASIN

Washing Hands

0.3

WASH BASIN

Washing Feet

0.2

FOOT TUB

Combing Hair

0.2

MIRROR + SHELF

Putting Make-Up

0.2

MIRROR + SHELF

Reading

1.1

CHAIR

Browsing the web

1.2

TABLE + CHAIR

Putting Shoes On

1.2

CHAIR

Cooking

16.0

KITCHEN

On the left is a first conceptual

Making Coffee

0.4

TABLE

idea of how to move from

Smoking

0.5

OUTDOOR SPACE

private spaces to public spaces

Listening to Music

0.8

CHAIR + TABLE

with gradiation of space sizes.

Meditating

1.0

SPACE

Eating

0.7

TABLE + CHAIR

Showering

1.0

SHOWER

(Kaka, Pipi‌)

1.0

TOILET

Watching TV

2.3

TABLE + CHAIR + 2M IN BETWEEN

Being intimate

3.6

BED

Washing Clothes

1.0

WASHER

Drying clothes

1.0

DRYER + DRYING RACK

Ironing Clothes

1.4

IRON TABLE

showering sleeping brushing te eth washing hands washing fe et co mbing hair putt ing make -up medita ting making ca lls washing cl ot hes dr ying cl ot hes ir oning cl ot hes

viget.com

putt ing shoes on reading

10 people

writing br owsing the web working

M2

+ stud

ying

making co ffee c ooking

Working and Studying 0.7

TABLE + CHAIR

Washing Dishes

1.4

SINK

Writing

0.5

TABLE + CHAIR

wat ching tv

Making calls

0.8

CHAIR

smoking

Smoking Shisha

0.8

CHAIR + SHISHA

smoking shisha

Sleeping

1.8

BED

washing dishes eating listening

to music

PUBLIC

project // PROGRAM SPACE SHUFFLING

working

sleeping DRESSING

private

things

SHOWERING

EATING LIVING

COOKING

HOSTING

HOSTING DRESSING

SHOWERING

HOS TING

sleeping

LIVING EATING COOKIN G

private

things

workingEATING LIVING

COOKING

living

eating cooking

host ing

private

DRESSING things

SHOWERING

working

sleeping

private

working

private

things

working

things

showering dressing s leepin

sleeping

DRESSING

SHOWERING

hosting

livin g cooking

g

eating

project // PROGRAM REFERENCES

Wooden House

Eames House

Moriyama House

Atelier House

Maison À Bordeaux

Kunsthaus Bregenz

I thought of making an ultimate wooden architecture. It was conceived by just mindlessly stacking 350mm square.

Lumber is extremely versatile. In an ordinary wooden architecture, lumber is effectively differentiated according to functions in various localities precisely because it is so versatile. Columns, beams, foundations, exterior walls, interior walls, ceilings, floorings, insulations, furnishings, stairs, window frames, meaning all. However, I thought if lumber is indeed so versatile then why not create architecture by one rule that fulfills all of these functions. I envisioned the creation of new spatiality that preserves primitive conditions of a harmonious entity before various functions and roles differentiated. There are no separations of floor, wall, and ceiling here. A place that one thought was a floor becomes a chair, a ceiling, a wall from various positions. The floor levels are relative and spatiality is perceived differently according to one’s position. Here, people are distributed three-dimensionally in the space. This is a place like an amorphous landscape with a new experience of various senses of distances. Inhabitants discover, rather than being prescribed, various functionalities in these convolutions.

In this house activities will be of a more general nature to be shared with more people and more things. It will also be used as a returning place for relaxation and recreation through reading and music and work - a place of reviving and refilling, a place to be alone for preparation of work,and with matters and concerns of personal choosing.

A place for the kind of relaxed privacy necessary for the development and preparation of ideas to be continued in professionalwork centers. The occupant will need space used elastically where many or few people can be accomodated within the areas appropriate to such needs. Intimate conversation, groups in discussion, the use of a projection machine for amusement and education, and facilities for the self-indulgent hobbies, i.e cooking and the entertainment of very close friends.

There are more than ten volumes on the site each accommodating different requirements. These volumes are independent from one another and are scattered across the site creating a series of connected individual gardens, open to the surroundings.

This group of individually proportioned buildings establishes an independent landscape and atmosphere all its own.

Instead of conventional floors, it consists of five, vertically stacked layers of space used in various combinations to delineate human-scaled, functional areas.

Though staggered in section, the project is essentially one room that contains places of different heights and character, explains Fujimoto.

Straddling the line between nature and artifice, Atelier/House was not tailored exclusively to the client's needs. Instead, Fujimoto expects his brother to make accommodations to the house. It is precisely this paradox of integrating accidental places and architecture that motivates Fujimoto.

Instead of complying with an overriding order, most of Fujimoto's works are compilations of local relationships between one functional zone and its neighbors.

The heart of the house is a 3x3.5m elevator platform that moves freely between the three floors, becoming part of the living space or kitchen or transforming itself into an intimate office space, and granting access to books, artwork, and the wine cellar.

The movement of the elevator continuously changes the achitecture of the house. A machine is its heart.

The buildings structure is minimalist and reductive in the sense that only three walls support the museum and all of its floor plates. The three concrete walls enclose the gallery spaces and section off the circulation spaces to the perimeter of the building creating a building of seclusion and openness all in one.

by Sou Fujimoto

by Charles & Ray Eames

by Ryue Nishizawa

by Sou Fujimoto

by Rem Koolhaas

by Peter Zumthor

project // DESIGN APPROACH

ENTER

SLEEP

ENTER

SLEEP

WASH

LIVE

WORK

COOK & EAT RELAX

PROGRAM

WASH

LIVE

WORK

COOK & EAT RELAX

PROGRAM SHUFFLE

WALL FIXATIONS

IMMEDIATE CIRCULATION

CIRCULATION SHUFFLE

project // DESIGN MODULAR COLLECTIVE

ENTER

SLEEP

WASH

LIVE

WORK

COOK & EAT RELAX

WALL THAT EXPANDS HORIZONTALLY

FIXED ENVELOPE

FLOOR THAT EXPANDS HORIZONTALLY

The rules of the complex are that there are opposing fixed walls which formalize the “public” space of the house, what these fixed walls provide are sliding partitions which will allow the house to adapt to the users needs. With this, the architecture of the house as well as the zoning will constantly be changing. The moving of the slab allows the users to share their space of isolate their space depending on the the activities they prefer to share vs the actitivities they prefer to isolate. By extending new spaces are created.

project // DESIGN VISUALIZATION

project // DESIGN F A S T

F A C T S

project // DESIGN FV IAS US ATL I ZF AAT ICO TN S

project // DESIGN FV IAS US ATL I ZF AAT ICO TN S

project // DESIGN F A S T

F A C T S

project // DESIGN F A S T

F A C T S

project // DESIGN F A S T

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