Sustainable Architecture and Urban Design Program - SAUD

🌿 SAUD Student Committees – Call for Applications

SAUD Program is opening applications for its Student Committees Community for the current year: 2026
This is an opportunity for motivated students to actively contribute to the program while gaining recognized experience that can be used in applications for scholarship, exchange, internship, and job applications.

✨ What you will gain:
• An official SAUD Certificate subject to one year of active participation
• Practical experience in teamwork, leadership, and professional practice
• Portfolio and CV-enhancing experience
• Priority consideration for future SAUD activities and opportunities, for active and valuable members.

🧩 Available Committees (4 students per committee):
• SAUD Capstone Studio Team (Graduation Project Jury and Organizational Support)
• SAUD Digital Voice (Social Media & Outreach)
• SAUD Visual Lab (Photography, Video Editing, Graphic Design)
• SAUD Space Guardians (Studio & Learning Space Care)
• SAUD Exhibition & Curation Team (Preparation for coming Exhibitions and Events)
• SAUD Community & Wellbeing Team (Recreational and Student Life Activities)

📌 System & Commitment:
• Duration: One year, Renewal is possible upon active and valuable participation.
• Selection is based on application and commitment/leadership and diversity of levels
• Active participation is required to receive the certificate
• Evaluation will be based on responsibility, consistency, and teamwork

If you are passionate about leading change and contributing to SAUD Community beyond the classroom, this is your chance to be part of the program’s growth.

Application Link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgUGDQuipiCbvmdifrdfIKePWaC2V4_Y2WbIGHe3jan7elAw/viewform?usp=send_form

Application open until: January 29th

Program Director and Coordinator:
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein

L4 Ex*****on Design – 4-ARC 421
ACC (Autodesk Construction Cloud)

This semester marked an important step in the Ex*****on Design course by introducing Level 4 students to Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) as part of their professional workflow.

ACC was a new and challenging topic, moving beyond traditional drawings into coordination, cloud collaboration, and ex*****on management. Through focused workshops, we worked to simplify the system and connect it to real ex*****on scenarios, particularly within flooring, ceiling, and internal elevation packages.

Throughout this journey, students developed key skills in ex*****on thinking, technical accuracy, coordination awareness, and digital collaboration. We are proud of how they embraced the challenge and transformed it into a valuable learning experience.

We extend our sincere thanks to
Prof. Dr. Yasser M. ElSayed
Course Coordinator and Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts,
for his continuous guidance and support.

Special thanks to the dedicated teaching staff:
L.A. Mostafa Khaled
T.A. Roaa Mohamed
T.A. Hesham Abdullah

We also sincerely thank
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein
Program Director and Coordinator,
for her ongoing support and commitment.

SAUD proudly celebrates the Urban Purifiers team, who gained international recognition and were invited to present their award-winning project, WASL, at the Jameel Center, The GrEEK Campus, Cairo.

The team was the final winner of the 2025 Jameel C40 Students Reinventing Cities Competition, selected from 31 teams representing universities in Egypt, Italy, and Jordan, and over 170 participating students.

The Urban Purifier team was invited to present their work during the inaugural session of Jameel Center Talks. During the session, the Urban Purifiers shared the journey behind their project: WASL - from research and site analysis to design development - alongside leading architects, including Eng. Kareem Ibrahim, founder of Takween Integrated Community Development and recipient of the 2025 Aga Khan Award, and Eng. Omar Nagati, co-founder of CLUSTER Cairo. The session was led by Nathaniel Daudrich, Head of Product at Community Jameel, in presence of George Richards, Director of Community Jameel.

The winning project WASL reimagines the Southern Gate neighborhood of Amman, Jordan, as a living urban system that prioritizes people, climate, and ecological balance. The project introduces a dynamic eco-pedestrian network supported by bioswales, rain gardens, wetlands, and urban forests, addressing pressing challenges such as water scarcity, urban heat, and environmental degradation, while creating healthier, more connected public spaces.

The Urban Purifiers team:
Mariam Ahmed Ezzat, Sama AbdelGhany, Merna Hany, Clara Medhat, Sara Salah, Jolie Gamal, Donia Hatem, Merna Moataz, and Catrin Medhat. Their achievement reflects the growing role of young designers in shaping the future of cities through innovation, collaboration, and climate-conscious design.

The project was developed as part of the Wastewater Management in Urban Areas course, led and supervised by:
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein whose guidance was central in shaping the project’s integrated, research-driven, and climate-responsive approach.

Sincere thanks are extended to Scene Home for the photographs documenting this experience.

Program Director and Coordinator
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein

SAUD seniors completed the Graduation Project Research Jury, marking a key milestone in the students’ transition from regional and strategic research to architecture-based graduation project proposals.

During the jury, students presented their evidence-based regional analyses, selected cities and sites, and articulated project directions grounded in Egypt Vision 2030, national development plans, and sustainability priorities.

The discussions focused on validating project relevance, regional impact, architectural program logic, and readiness to move toward architectural design scales.

We congratulate our students on their efforts and look forward to advancing their work toward impactful, well-grounded architectural graduation projects.

Thanks to our esteemed jury members for their time, invaluable insights and feedback, which plays a critical role in ensuring that graduation projects are context-driven, research-informed, and socially and environmentally responsive, setting a strong foundation for the upcoming design phases:
- Eng. Mouaz Abouzaid - A great pleasure to welcome you in our Faculty and Program
- Dr. Bahaa Wagdy
- Dr. Mohamed Elmersawy
- Dr. Alia Amer

Supervised by:
Prof. Dr. Yasser ElSayed
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein
A.L. Sally Hussein

Program Director and Coordinator:
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein

Sustainable Architecture Design 2 (ARC-313) – Level 3 Jury

The Level 3 Jury for Sustainable Architecture Design 2 (ARC-313) marks a key stage in the architectural design process, where students explored the principles of sustainability through the design of a sustainable mixed-use building. The project was located in either Fifth Settlement or Sheikh Zayed City, allowing students to respond to site conditions while maintaining a primary focus on architectural performance and building-scale design strategies.

Throughout the semester, students undertook a comprehensive process of architectural analysis and research, including climate analysis, environmental orientation, functional requirements, and user needs. This analytical groundwork guided the development of design concepts and informed decisions related to massing, spatial organization, structure, and façade design. Each project integrated three main components: a commercial zone including a cinema, a medical tower, and a business tower, requiring a high level of coordination between function, circulation, and architectural form.

The studio emphasized the application of sustainable architectural strategies at the building level, such as passive design approaches, daylighting, natural ventilation, energy-efficient envelopes, and material selection. Students were encouraged to test and refine their ideas through research, iterations, and performance-based thinking, strengthening their ability to translate environmental concepts into architectural solutions.

Course Instructors:
Prof. Dr. Ahmed Yehia
Prof. Dr. Ahmed Saber
Prof. Dr. Osama Abdelhady
Dr. Alia Amer
LA. Adham Yasser
LA. Sara Mohamed
LA. Sally Hussein
TA. Peter Girgis

Special Thanks to Our Honorable Guests:
Prof. Dr. Yasser M. Sayed
Dr. Ahmed Serry
Eng. Sherif Kamel

Program Director and Coordinator:
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein

Level 3 student work from the Cultural Heritage and the City course reflects a critical exploration of the relationship between cultural heritage and urban contexts. The course focused on understanding heritage as a dynamic component of the city, addressing issues of identity, continuity, transformation, and the integration of historic environments within contemporary urban development.

Students engaged with heritage-led urban analysis, conservation principles, and contextual design strategies, examining how cultural, social, and spatial values shape the built environment. The presented projects demonstrate the students’ ability to interpret heritage at multiple scales and translate theoretical and analytical insights into design and urban proposals that respect historical character while responding to present-day urban challenges.

Sincere appreciation is extended to the distinguished jury members, Prof. Dr. Yaser El Sayed, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Saber, Prof. Dr. Eman Fayez, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeina ElZein, for their valuable time, insightful evaluations, and constructive feedback. Special thanks are also due to the students for their dedication, critical thinking, and commitment throughout the course.

Under the supervision of:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sara Mamdouh Elrawy

Program Director and Coordinator:
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein

A Journey Through Architecture and Arts Across Civilizations

Throughout the History of Civilizations and Arts course, students explored how architecture reflects civilization, culture, beliefs, and daily life across history. Moving from early human settlements to major ancient civilizations, they discovered that architecture is not just about buildings, but about how societies understood power, nature, religion, and community.

Over the semester, students examined different civilizations, including Ancient Egypt, Ancient India, Greece, and Rome and Maya Civilization. The course emphasized the connection between belief systems, especially ideas about life, authority, and the afterlife, and the way art and architecture was specific for each civilization.

The final outcomes showcased not only students’ understanding of civilizations history, but also their creativity, analytical thinking, and ability to communicate ideas.

Supervised by:
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein
Dr. Ali Khaled Elewa

Program Director and Coordinator:
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein

Level 1 students finalized the Technical Writing for Research course jury. Over the semester, we witnessed real growth in their research thinking, technical writing, and communication skills.

Students tackled sustainability university-related challenges through group research, delivered clear presentations, designed strong scientific posters, and submitted well-structured reports. Their commitment, teamwork, and professionalism truly stood out.

Thanks to our juror Dr. Sara Sabahy for her constructive feedback and insights.

Well done to an impressive group of emerging researchers!

Supervised by:
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein
A.L. Yasmine ElTouny

Program Director and Coordinator:
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein

SAUD level 2 students completing an international collaboration with the University of Farser Valley UFV in Canada.

The Principles of Sustainable and Environmental Design course is led by Dr. Zeina ElZein and the collaboration is led by Dr. Cherie Ens, Chair of Bachelor of Regional and Community Planning, University of Farser Valley UFV in Canada.

Level 2 SAUD Students, worked with their partners from the UFV on critical water management issues affecting two vital ecosystems; the Nile River in Egypt and the Fraser Valley River in Canada, from an urban and architecture perspective.

Students experienced an exchange of culture, knowledge and expertise across continents Creating a series of compelling awareness posters to educate the community, Hosting engaging water social activities in both regions, bridging science and public outreach.

​This partnership is a testament to the power of academic teamwork in achieving global goals.

Course Supervised by:
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein

A.L. Adham Yasser
T.A. Roaa Mohamed

Program Director and Coordinator:
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein

Greater Cairo Nile Corniche | Group Posters
As part of the final submission for level 3 students in the Sustainable Urban Design course, students presented a series of urban design posters illustrating their analytical frameworks, design strategies, and sustainable development visions for the Greater Cairo Nile Corniche.

Each group’s poster reflects an in-depth exploration of the study areas Zamalek, Imbaba, and Rod El-Farag addressing visual, social, functional, perceptual, and environmental dimensions. The posters effectively communicate context-responsive urban interventions, spatial strategies, and sustainability-driven concepts that respond to the distinct character of each urban zone.

This stage of the project highlights students’ ability to translate complex urban research into clear and professional visual narratives, demonstrating skills in urban analysis, diagramming, conceptual clarity, and architectural representation. Collectively, the posters present integrated proposals aimed at enhancing Nile waterfront accessibility, strengthening public and green spaces, encouraging mixed-use development, and supporting social inclusion and economic opportunities.
The project aligns with the objectives of Egypt Vision 2030, contributing to the creation of sustainable, livable, and resilient urban environments along one of Cairo’s most significant waterfront corridors.

Course Professor & Supervisor:
Prof. Dr. Eman Faiez Bassily

Teaching Staff:
LA. Yara Nabil
LA. Adham Yasser
TA. Peter Girgis
TA. Habiba Ashraf

Program Director and Coordinator:
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein

L4 Ex*****on Design 4 - ARC 421
Workshops for Flooring, Ceiling, and Internal Elevations

As part of enhancing student integration with doctors and T.A.s, students actively participated in the teaching process through real-life case studies and engaging, fun competitions. This interactive approach created a dynamic learning environment and strengthened practical understanding.

Many thanks for the guidance and continuous support of our great Professor
Dr. Yasser M. ElSayed, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, and proudly the coordinator of this course.

Special thanks to the dedicated staff:
L.A. Mostafa Khaled
T.A. Roaa Mohamed
T.A. Hesham Abdullah

Program Director and Coordinator:
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein

Level 4 students work from the Contemporary Architecture course demonstrates an integrated exploration of digital innovation, advanced form generation, and environmentally responsive design.

The course introduced students to computational and performance-driven architectural paradigms, including parametric, evolutionary, and motion-based design approaches, alongside concepts such as blob architecture, topological space, and adaptive architectural systems.

In parallel, the course emphasized holistic eco-resilient and human-centered strategies, incorporating sponge, green, vernacular, and biophilic architecture as frameworks for sustainability, resilience, and human well-being. The presented projects reflect the students’ ability to translate contemporary architectural theory and computational methods into coherent design proposals adaptable to diverse contexts.

Sincere appreciation is extended to the distinguished jury member, Dr. Bahaa Wagdy, for his valuable time, insightful evaluations, and constructive feedback. Special thanks are also due to the students for their dedication and creative commitment throughout the course.

Under the supervision of:
Assoc. Prof. Sara Mamdouh Elrawy

Program Director and Coordinator:
Assoc. Prof. Zeina ElZein