Abstract:
This paper is a sequel to a study paper which discussed the “Islamic Style”
architecture in Egypt using the buildings of 6th October and Zayid cities as case
studies. The first study analyzed the residential examples. In this paper the non-
residential secular buildings were analyzed, while the religious buildings will be
the topic of a third forthcoming study. The secular non-residential buildings found
were a very small number (twelve only) and have been categorized into commercial,
public and educational. No one dominant or clear Islamic style has been noted, and
out of seven contemporary styles of architecture we know of only three were noted
in our case studies: eclectic (two), neo-Islamic (three) and the dominating Modern
Simplified Islamic (seven), yet we find great variations in each style and no
consensus on the vocabulary used or details. The study suggests four reasons for
using the Islamic styles in those types: expected patron/owners’ image, design
intent, need for differentiation, nostalgia and creating a marketable image. It is also
noted that in all of the examples recorded with one exception, the Islamic styles or
principles were limited to the facades but were not reflected in the layout. Only one
example echoed an Islamic urban pattern for its layout in addition to its façade
detailing. The situation can be described as chaotic fraught with eclectic styles, with
borrowings and re-interpretations of details from different eras and countries, with
no clear dominant “style” emerging or even beginning to evolve. No specific style
or detail dominated. This eclecticism and chaos is most probably a reflection of the
lack of familiarity of the historical styles by the designers, with exceptions of some
successful interpretations. Once again, our analysis shows that the lack of identity and style in contemporary Egyptian architecture continues in the secular examples,
with no Contemporary Egyptian style of architecture, Islamic or otherwise,
emerging or forthcoming.
