The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Hidden among the quiet greenery of Mansouria, just a short drive from Giza, lies one of the most intriguing architectural projects to emerge from Egypt this year. Designed by Dar Arafa Architecture, the Mansouria Art Centre isn’t your typical gallery space; it’s an architectural love letter to art, heritage, and sustainability.

A Museum with a Soul

The centre is being built as a personal museum and creative hub for a renowned Egyptian artist and scholar of Arabic art and design, whose name is yet to be announced. The idea is simple but powerful: to create a space where the artist’s life’s work can live, breathe, and continue to inspire. Alongside the exhibition spaces, the centre will feature small studios and open-air courtyards where young artists can work, connect, and learn.

Reinventing the Brick

At first glance, the building’s rosy brick façade feels timeless, something you’d expect to find rising from the Egyptian soil itself. But behind its calm appearance is a fascinating story of upcycling and innovation. The entire structure is made from re-fired local brick, created from construction waste and strengthened through an eco-friendly process. The architects decided to leave the brick exposed, letting its natural colour and texture speak for themselves. The result? A raw, grounded beauty that doesn’t need to hide behind plaster or paint.

Sustainable by Design

Dar Arafa’s design treats sustainability as part of the architecture, not an accessory. The roof incorporates solar panels into the structure, while the walls utilise perforated brick screens that filter light throughout the day, bathing the interiors in warm, shifting patterns of sunlight. Every detail feels carefully considered, balanced, and in harmony with the surrounding landscape.

Blending the Past with the Future

As with many of Waleed Arafa’s projects, from the acclaimed Basuna Mosque to the Citadel Pavilion, this building sits at the crossroads of heritage and experimentation. Its proportions draw on Arabic geometry and calligraphic rhythm, yet its construction methods push for a more sustainable architectural future.