This project aims to provide a resilient architectural response to the socio-environmental challenges faced by the traditional boatmaking community in Rasheed, a historic coastal city at the mouth of the Nile Delta in Egypt. Rooted in centuries of maritime heritage, this community now confronts the dual threats of cultural marginalization and rising sea levels.

The scope of this project extends beyond architectural form to address cultural preservation, climate resilience, and social empowerment. It provides a multi-layered solution for the declining boatmaking industry in Rasheed, which is threatened by both socio-economic neglect and rising sea levels.

Architectural Scope:

Design of a mid-rise union building incorporating administrative spaces, public gathering halls, workshops, and a trading platform.

Integration of an underground boat exhibition hall accessed via a mechanical conveyor and boat lift from the adjacent waterfront.

Use of a hybrid structural system including a shear wall core, cantilevered truss boxes, and cable support to elevate and stabilize the form.

Environmental Scope:

Raising the site level to mitigate the impact of coastal flooding and future sea level rise.

Incorporation of underground stormwater storage systems and managed aquifer recharge (MAR) solutions.

Use of sustainable, locally sourced materials such as palm wood and repurposed fishing nets for environmental and cultural integration.

Social Scope:

Empowerment of the boatmakers’ community through dedicated spaces for advocacy, trade, and craftsmanship.

Strengthening cultural identity by embedding traditional marine heritage within a contemporary civic institution.

Creating a resilient, functional, and inclusive urban landmark that fosters visibility and economic opportunity.

Project Name: The Helm – Union Building for Rasheed’s Boatmakers
Location: Rasheed (Rosetta), Egypt
Site Area: 19,000 m²
Built-up Area: 9,500 m² (approx. 50% site coverage)
Building Typology: Mid-rise civic and commercial union building

Structural Systems:

Basement & Underground Exhibition: Waffle slab system for wide column-free spans.

Lower Floors (Workshops & Trading Hall): Flat slab system for efficient load distribution and spatial flexibility.

Main Tower (Union Offices & Public Spaces): Steel cantilevered box truss system supported by a central reinforced concrete shear wall core.

Cable Structure: High-tensile steel cables suspend cantilevered volumes, reducing lateral forces and providing visual lightness.

Envelope & Shading:

Locally sourced palm wood louvers and wooden shading platforms.

Recycled fishing net mesh (polyethylene/nylon) to diffuse sunlight and allow ventilation.

Double-glazed low-E glass for thermal insulation and glare control.

Sustainability Features:

Site Elevation: Entire building platform raised to mitigate future sea level rise.

Stormwater Management: Modular underground water storage and Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems.

Ventilation Strategy: Cross-ventilation and shading devices reduce cooling load.

Material Strategy: Use of local and reused materials to reduce embodied carbon.

Special Features:

Boat Transfer System: Marine-accessible mechanical conveyor and boat elevator for direct access to underground exhibition.

Public Realm Design: Outdoor plaza, water pathways, and green landscaping with indigenous flora.

Accessibility: Barrier-free design with ramps, elevators, and inclusive public facilities.