“Islamic Style” Secular Architecture in Egypt: 6th October and Al-Shaikh Zayid as Case Studies

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.