From Japanese to cairene houses: A contribution to the design of socially responsible housing in Egypt

Abstract

This article represents a contribution to social and spatial problems of low-income housing units in Egypt. It is an illustrated product of work previously accomplished in several separate studies. In this article, I attempt to offer more tangible solutions and architectural drawings inspired by ideas from traditional Cairene homes and traditional small-scale urban Japanese residences (to which I was exposed during my research in Japan) in light of surveys conducted among housing-unit residents in Egypt. The article first takes a brief look at the history of the emergence of apartments and housing units in Egypt. Second, it explores examples of small-scale apartments and housing units attempting to incorporate traditional patterns and elements into their design. Third, it proposes a 70m2 unit plan showing architectural and structural modules, a suggested combination of four units, and proposed spatial organizations and architectural solutions for unit interiors: entrance zone, guestroom, living and sleeping zones, prayer area, washing and ablution area, kitchen, bathroom and guest toilet, and doors and partitions, while incorporating a suggested latticework device that has been proposed and discussed in detail in my previous studies. � 2014 Intellect Ltd.