Contextual Design for New Additions in Historical Complexes (Cairo University Campus)

Saied Abd El- Hay Ghoname, Marmar; Abu Sari Muhammed Haroun, Seham; Muhammed Abbas El -Zafarany, Abbas

doi:10.21608/erj.2022.273118

Contextual Design for New Additions in Historical Complexes (Cairo University Campus)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Architect at EEC& Urban Design Researcher

² Department of Urban Design, Faculty of Urban & Regional Planning, Cairo University

10.21608/erj.2022.273118

Abstract

The addition of ancient buildings and sites is an established phenomenon as old as
architecture itself. It was a familiar phenomenon in ancient Egyptian architecture and
Islamic architecture history. For example, the Temple of Hatshepsut was added to the
Temple of Mentuhotep III site in Deir El-Bahari, and the Karnak Temple witnessed
a series of additions to the original site built more than a thousand years ago. Egypt
includes historical sites that are still alive and functioning, such as the Al-Azhar
Mosque. In addition, it has heritage complexes from modern histories, such as Cairo
University and the Egyptian Parliament. Therefore, it requires the knowledge of
adding a new building to historical sites.
The research discusses the issue of adding a new building to a historical site and
presents its causes and problems. It also discusses the distinctive design approaches,
strategies, and theories involved in adding a new building to a historical site. The
research also documents and analyzes the layers of additions to the Cairo University
campus, which witnessed a series of additions to its buildings and open spaces that
spanned over a century and included additions of modern and postmodern styles to
its original buildings, which were of the neoclassical style.

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