Postmodern Architecture in Egyptian Public buildings: Negotiating Identity and Modernity | ||
| Engineering Research Journal (Shoubra) | ||
| Volume 54, Issue 2, April 2025, Pages 179-188 PDF (932.16 K) | ||
| Document Type: Research articles | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/erjsh.2025.381689.1420 | ||
| Author | ||
| Hanaa Ahmed Elsabbagh* | ||
| Architectural Engineering, faculty of Engineering, Giza Engineering Institute, Giza, Egypt. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Abstract. In the face of growing cultural uniformity and globalization, postmodern design frequently serves as a tool for regional affirmation and symbolic resistance. This paper examines the localized application of postmodern architectural principles in Egypt through a comparative analysis of two prominent case studies: the Cairo Opera House and the Smart Village office buildings. The research aims to evaluate how postmodern design contributes to cultural identity, spatial symbolism, and user engagement in distinct functional contexts cultural and administrative. A structured framework of analysis was developed based on four axes: historic referencing, contextual and environmental adaptation, symbolism and semiotic expression, and user-centered experience. The study employed a mixed-methods methodology, including architectural documentation review, site observation, semi-structured interviews, and user surveys with purposively selected participants (employees and visitors). Results indicate that the Cairo Opera House utilizes overt symbolic references such as Islamic motifs and spatial hierarchies to reinforce national and cultural identity. In contrast, the Smart Village demonstrates a subtler postmodern approach, emphasizing environmental integration and corporate symbolism. Despite typological differences, both cases reveal a contextual adaptation of postmodernism that balances tradition and modernity. The study identifies a critical gap in evaluating the user perception of symbolic elements and recommends implementing post-occupancy evaluations, culturally responsive design policies, and identity-oriented architectural frameworks for contemporary Egyptian architecture. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Postmodern Architecture; User Acceptance; Historical Features; Aesthetics Perception; Functional Response | ||
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