22-07-2025
Qalawun trays, Ottoman fountain, Islamic stars, over 200 Patterns of Historic Cairo are open for general public - Heritage special
This month marked the launch of an inspiring project: the Patterns of Cairo initiative, implemented by Mogawra – Built Environment Collective, a twin organization combining an NGO and an architecture firm.
Initiated by the Embassy of the Netherlands, the project explores 200 patterns found on monuments in Historic Cairo and the art they continue to inspire.
The two-day exhibition was held in an architectural gem—now home to Founders Spaces villa—off Sheikh Rihan Street in Downtown Cairo. It showcased contemporary designs inspired by the Patterns of Cairo. It also marked the launch of a website dedicated to documenting 200 of these motifs, their history, the monuments that behold them and the narratives of the hands that crafted them.
'The website provides open access to digital files of visual patterns, colour schemes, geometric motifs, online articles, and narratives—from the point of view of the craftspeople who worked on them, or the founders of the buildings. We tell their personal stories,' explained Ehsan Abu Shadi, architect and curator of the exhibition, to Ahram Online.
The exhibition's idea is to show the designers how they can apply such patterns in a contemporary form, she explained while walking us through the exhibition.
From buildings to textiles
Dutch artist Laura Luchtman's textile artworks explore the transformation of traditional patterns through shifts in colour and line. Beginning with the original design at the top, she experiments with colour and form until a new, abstract visual identity emerges—still subtly echoing the original.
Construction art
Cement tiles by Paco Bockelmann were inspired by the urban fabric of Cairo, specifically the tiling of its streets and alleyways. 'Here, patterns begin to form,' said Abu Shadi. 'And the colours are not artificial dyes, but made from construction materials. The red is brick powder; the black is cement mixed with brick powder.'
Wearing heritage
Egyptian researcher and bead artist Dina Hafez presented Changing Tastes, a bead-woven top featuring pastel tones and heritage geometric forms. The piece reimagines beadwork—typically reserved for accessories like bags—as a wearable, fashion-forward garment.
Mohamed Affandi's fountain
Egyptian designer Mohamed ElHaddad drew inspiration from an 18th-century Ottoman fountain once purchased by Mohamed Affandi Zaki Ismail, now housed at the Museum of Islamic Art. His resulting piece, Affandi, is an adjustable seating module and shelf.
The Qalawun trays
Toying with the marvellous patterns found in the Qalawun complex, these trays were hand-designed and crafted by NARENG, the design brand of the Al-Athar LINA initiative—a project based in Cairo's Al-Khalifa district.
Playing with stars
Architect Alyaa Gamal explored the star-shaped motifs of Cairo's traditional wood joinery in her series of coasters, which reveal the fine details of the city's architectural gems.
Puzzle trays
Inspired by the tessellation patterns of the Madrasa of Al-Zaher Baybars, renowned designer Hani Mahfouz created a playful trio of trays that can serve as tableware, centrepieces, or organizers. The pieces were made using traditional tin-smithing techniques commonly found in Ramadan lanterns.
Kum Kul collection
Known for his talli-inspired fashion, designer Mohamed Samy here turns to traditional Egyptian fabrics and Nubian motifs. Kum Kul is a nearly extinct Nubian women's garment, reimagined by Samy in a contemporary design journey.
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