ArchCairo
The Department of Architectural Engineering, now known as ARCHCAIRO, is a foundational academic division within the Faculty of Engineering at Cairo University. Its history traces back to the early 19th century when Madrasat El-Mohandeskhana (The School of Engineering) was established in 1816 by Muhammad Ali Pasha, marking the beginning of modern engineering education in Egypt. This institution, which included architecture as one of its key disciplines, laid the foundation for Egypt’s commitment to the built environment as both a scientific and cultural pursuit.
After the closure of Madrasat El-Mohandeskhana in 1854, there was a hiatus in formal engineering education. However, in 1866, under the reign of Khedive Ismail, a new engineering school was established, which included both irrigation and architectural engineering. This institution eventually evolved into the Royal School of Engineering in the early 20th century.
In 1935, the Royal School of Engineering became part of the newly established Egyptian University, which later became King Fuad I University in 1940, and finally Cairo University in 1953. Over these years, architectural education expanded within the Faculty of Engineering, responding to Egypt’s urban development, cultural transformations, and technological advancements. Today, ArchCairo stands as a vital center for architectural education, research, and public engagement. It continues the legacy of rigorous technical training, critical inquiry, and cultural reflection, fostering a tradition of student-led publications and exhibitions that engage with global and local architectural concerns.
Cairo Digest
Building on this intellectual dynamism, Cairo Digest was established in late 2024 as a biannual publication under the umbrella of ARCHCAIRO. Rooted in the department’s long-standing tradition of academic-driven initiatives, Cairo Digest serves not just as a record of academic work but as a platform for critical thought and creative exploration. It documents and celebrates the achievements of students and faculty, while inviting broader dialogues on architecture, urbanism, design education, and the role of academia in shaping our collective environments.
Cairo Digest extends the mission of ARCHCAIRO beyond the studio and lecture hall, offering insights into the evolving relationship between architecture and society. The publication reflects the department’s commitment to both local and global conversations, providing a space for scholars, practitioners, and students to engage with issues that transcend disciplinary boundaries. Rooted in Cairo yet resonating beyond it, Cairo Digest is more than just a magazine; it’s a platform that connects past and present, scholarship and practice, local questions and global discourses.
Fundamentals, the first issue of Cairo Digest, was edited, designed, and art-directed by Ibrahim Elhadidi, Lecturer at the Department of Architectural Engineering, Cairo University (ARCHCAIRO). Ibrahim also developed the publication’s visual identity and logo.
The issue was produced with the support of teaching assistants from the Department of Architecture, Cairo University: Fady Philip, Moataz Hassanein, Ereny Samir, Eman Mostafa, and Yasmeen Ibrahim.
Website design by Moataz Hassanein, Assistant Lecturer, Department of Architecture, Cairo University.