Gate of Cairo — Preserving Identity Through Transformation is an immersive cultural exhibition project proposed for New Fustat, Cairo, Egypt. The project aims to celebrate Cairo's rich architectural heritage by transforming its history into a contemporary experience that connects the past, present, and future.
Inspired by the concept "The Revolution of Motifs Through the Eras," the design explores how architectural patterns, forms, and cultural symbols have evolved throughout Cairo's history. Rather than simply recreating historical styles, the project reinterprets them through contemporary interior architecture, combining heritage-inspired details with modern materials, lighting, and interactive experiences.
The visitor journey is designed as a symbolic passage through time, beginning with an introduction to Cairo's architectural identity and continuing through exhibition spaces inspired by the Coptic, Fatimid, Mamluk, Ottoman, Khedival, and contemporary periods. Each space expresses its historical character through architectural details, atmosphere, and immersive storytelling.
A central feature of the experience is the Cultural Identity Passport, which allows visitors to symbolically travel through Cairo's architectural eras, collecting a unique stamp representing each historical period. This interactive element transforms the exhibition into a personal journey of discovery, encouraging visitors to engage with the city's heritage and carry a memory of their experience.
The project also integrates cultural gathering spaces, hospitality areas, and a unified visual identity inspired by Cairo's architecture, traditional craftsmanship, and geometric motifs. Together, these elements create a cohesive connection between the interior spaces, exhibition experience, and branding.
Ultimately, Gate of Cairo reflects the belief that preserving heritage is not simply about remembering the past, but about transforming it into meaningful experiences that inspire future generations.
2026
Gate of Cairo is an unbuilt interior architecture graduation project proposed for New Fustat, Cairo, Egypt. The project was developed using an existing architectural floor plan as a reference, with a complete interior redesign and selected exterior modifications to reflect the project's cultural identity.
The design includes a reception area, Coptic Hall, Islamic Hall, Khedival Hall, Contemporary Interactive Hall, multipurpose hall, cultural retail spaces, hospitality facilities, and an outdoor courtyard.
The interior combines heritage-inspired architectural elements with contemporary materials, including marble, microcement, textured wall finishes, and decorative geometric patterns. The lighting design integrates natural daylight, concealed LED lighting, and exhibition-focused illumination to create different atmospheres throughout the visitor journey.
Interactive projections, digital displays, and immersive installations bring Cairo's architectural history to life. The project also includes detailed interior plans, lighting layouts, architectural sections, and technical drawings.
A unified branding identity connects the interior spaces, exhibition graphics, and selected exterior elements, creating a cohesive cultural experience.
Project: Gate of Cairo — Preserving Identity Through Transformation
Project Designer: Marina Bassem Hansser Makar
Role: Interior Architecture Designer — Concept Development, Interior Design, Exhibition Design, Cultural Branding, and Selected Exterior Modifications
University: Modern Sciences and Arts University (MSA), Egypt
Department: Interior Architecture Design
Project Type: Individual Graduation Project (2026)
Supervised by: Prof. Dr. Khaled Hawas, Prof. Dr. Hoda Madkour, Prof. Dr.Amany Mashhor , Prof. Dr. Ola Hesham , Dr. Tarek Fouad
Marina Bassem
