The courtyard as a measured void
Repetition, open sky, shadow and the fountain house make the apparently empty centre active.
Element index
Room, screen,
surface, earth.
Four architectural readings at different scales. They are not a survey of all Egyptian building traditions; they are precise starting points.
Mashrabiya: the filtered boundary
Look at density, projection and shadow before reducing carved wood to ornament.
The painted Nubian facade
Colour is part of a specific house and community, not a catalogue of motifs detached from owners.
Shali and the weathered wall
Kersheef, palm wood, salt and repair make material change part of the architecture.
Use the notes carefully
A public exterior is not unlimited access.
Private houses, sacred spaces and fragile historic fabric require restraint. Current opening rules and on-site boundaries take precedence over an article or photograph.
Read the respectful photography guide