OWest Apartments Plot B01

Location: Cairo, Egypt
Scope: Residential
Area: 6,700sqm
Stage: Competition
Client: Orascom DH
Architect: Studio Seilern Architects

Studio Seilern Architects were invited to participate in a Call for Ideas and concept design for residential building B01 on the Cairo OWest development.

These multi-family dwellings are integrated within a loose assembly of buildings, organising themselves around a communal green space, a pedestrian plaza and high street. The intent of the masterplan is to have a variety of sizes of buildings and designs, to bring a richness and diversity of languages to the development.

SSA were asked to develop building B01, one of the larger multi-family units. Sited between the communal green space and the pedestrian high street and park, the building benefits from uninterrupted open views. When massing the two options, we demonstrated that the two smaller buildings would yield a better N:G efficiency, and create more window frontage, resulting in a better plan for the units. In order to comply with the masterplan vision of having different size blocks, we developed a scheme that combined two smaller blocks, designed to look like a single larger building.

Our concept hinged on the wish to give a garden to each unit, as well as maximise the sense of privacy by avoiding the typical overlooking balconies. The strong emphasis between interior and exterior spaces guided the design, where inhabitants can enjoy the views of the park beyond while sitting on an enlarged terrace that is tucked in to create the maximum amount of privacy. Every apartment benefits from an extensively greened terrace as a series of floating gardens, which decorate and soften the facades. The materials used, such as stone, wood, or exposed concrete are noble and simple, whilst the plants are allowed to colour and enrich the composition of the buildings, giving it a more whimsical and playful appearance within its landscape.