cOntrast Studio

CO.D.E. Studio in progress

2011-11-07T04:25:00.000+02:00

Work at CO.D.E. Studio started 5 weeks ago with students from the 2nd year. Contrast Designs' partners Mazin Abdulkarim and Kareem Hammouda have guided two separate groups of students to explore 'patterns' and 'material qualities' as design veichles for spatial and organizational characteristics. Below are some images of the students' work after 5 weeks. More details and updated information can be found on the studio's blog here.

CO.D.E. Studio @ AAST

2011-10-02T04:03:00.002+02:00

This semester CONTRAST Designs partners, Kareem Hammoda and Mazin Abdulkarim will be running a design studio at the AAST in Cairo under the name CO.D.E Studio. The studio is split internally into two units each exploring a separate field of interest. In Unit A, Abdulkarim will be exploring ‘Patterns’ as a device for spatial and material constructs, and will investigate their potential relevance and application within architecture. The investigation will develop a critical understanding of the potentials of patterns and its associated effects. In Unit B, Hammouda will be exploring the tectonic qualities of materials by studying inherent spatial characteristics and organizational patterns through various manipulative experiments to develop an architectural language reflecting the materials hidden potentials and complex reflexes to alteration.

We will be posting more from the studio's work as it progreses.

Alef M.O.A. Nears Completion

2011-09-29T15:26:00.003+02:00

Our fourth major design collaboration with Alef Bookstores, their new branch in Mall of Arabia, is coming to its final stages. After establishing their signature interior design theme in Mirghany, Zamalek, and Le Marche (Alex.) branches, the new branch in MOA (6th of October) adds several new ideas to the bookstore's I.D. theme. Besides the interior design of the branch, CONTRAST Design also fabricated the central light installation 'Pixel Cloud'. We will celebrate the initial opening of the branch next Friday the 30th of Sept. Join us for a special design tour of the branch and its features.

On Cairo's Gated Parks

2011-07-04T03:02:00.000+02:00

This series of images portrays classic cases of gatedness for several of the public green parks of Cairo. The typical metal green fence, used to surround public and green areas around Cairo, physically separates and creates a distinct barrier condition. In some cases, a ticket is charged to enter the park in a desperate move to generate money to cover maintenance costs.

While the lush green grass portrays a tidy and clean image of the chaotic city, the park remains extremely dissociated from the daily perceived image of the city’s users. This dissociation represents the predominant culture of distancing and alienation that has controlled Cairo’s urban development during the last decades. This physical and psychological distancing, clearly defined by the high metal fences, creates large subtractions from the cityscape dissecting and fragmenting the collective perceived image of the city.

Consequently, the public park transforms into a repeller instead of an attractor. This inverted situation of use embraces the fence and the opportunities that are generated by it. Users prefer to use the free perimeter of the park for walking, jogging, sitting, selling, and other activities, while the park remains abandoned. Temporary street vendors utilize (occupy) the fence appropriating it for displaying their merchandise.

@Shubbak : Public Domain Exhibition Participation

2011-06-30T18:51:00.001+02:00

Below is a part of our participation in the "Public Domain: Public and Civic Spaces in the Arab World" exhibition. The exhibition is at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Second Floor Gallery, 66 Portland Place, London, from 12 July to 24 September 2011.

On 12 July, with the opening reception of the exhibition, there will be a talk by leading architects, academics and journalists who will share their insights on public and civic spaces in the region and how the use and design of these spaces are changing. Shahira Fahmy will be talking from Egypt, Bernard Khoury from Lebanon among others.

"For centuries, religious festivals have been at the core of defining Egyptian culture and identity. Due to their yearly repetition and need for appropriate space to occur, they have become a crucial player in the composition of the urban fabric. They are mostly linked to a specific city square or mosque due to its symbolic or iconic importance.

The dual relationship that starts to appear between physical, fixed and dominant entity (the square) and a non-physical, temporary and spiritual entity defines a very apparent, yet reoccurring, transformation in the urban fabric. These photos document and identify the temporary appropriation and transformation occurring during Zain el Abdeen religious festival. A temporary collage of colorful tents that house religious cultural activity, folklore and religious singing and dancing, light installations, flags, decorated textiles and even cradles and swings.

While the festival is centered in and around the mosque and its plaza, the appropriation extends to include the whole district and floods onto the neighboring streets to cater for the large amounts of visitors. The street becomes an extension of the mosque plaza. The functions are mixed, facades are replaced by new festival façades of colorful fabrics, public becomes private and private becomes public. Pavements become private bedrooms; pedestrian walkways become shops for residents."

Our competition entry for the Serlachius Museum in Finland

2011-06-23T21:53:00.009+02:00

The competition was for a new extension to an existing complex of buildings, the serlachius museum complex, to accomodate a larger amount of displayed art work through temporary and permanent gallery spaces. The competition results were announced a few days ago. We did not win this time, but here is our complete proposal.

SERLACHIUS MUSEUM GŐSTA EXTENSION

Where, in the past, a great idea and the dedicated work of Gustaf Adolf and Gösta Serlachius sent out some leading impulses to the art world of Finland and beyond, the Museum extension building is now to send out new impulses to both of scenes, art and architectural. The old and the new, the past and the present, the then and now are all to be linked together in an innovative manner, creating an extension to the institution that is to be at the centre of the Nordic art scene.

CONCEPT

The volumetric composition of the new building consists of components of different heights that are connected in a whole that consists of individual but well integrated parts. The idea to make a whole out of elements comes as a reference to the present character of the immediate surrounding that could be perceived as an ensemble of architectural and vegetal sedimentations over time. Moreover, the act of densification of mass results with a compact form that is highly advantageous in terms of ecology and therefore sustainability.

This rationale enabled an organizational plan where internal programmatic applications are interwoven on many composition levels, thus allowing spatial synergies of various intensities. Major programmatic strong-points that are catalyst of public presence, apart from the exhibitions spaces, are all oriented towards the southern perimeter of the building where the panoramas over the surrounding landscape are extraordinary.

In the exhibition spaces, the interior is concealed from the exterior thus creating a world of itself. As symmetry, the foyer is largely open and orientated towards the surrounding natural habitat, thus creating a duality of atmospheres that are to be experienced by the museum visitors.

NEW AND OLD –

THE FOYER AS THE HINGE

The new building stands confidently alone where its northern border is parallel to the service road and the building is stretching down over the eastern slope, as far as half the way down to the clean lake bay. Consequently, the museum extension building fully respects the disposition of the existing plants that are found to be one of the greatest values of the immediate context.

Regarding mass distribution, the eastern volume of the building houses the foyer, becoming the central space of the complex aiming to achieve a volumetric balance with the Joenniemi Manor. The height of its grounded brick base volume is respected and the foyer rises up to that point only. By this decision, the “new” demonstrates its respect to the “old” and establishes a dialogue with it.

In order to establish a further relation to the Joenniemi Manor, the eastern wall of the foyer respects and follows its materiality, and is too rendered in brick. Thus, the foyer unites several independent spatial areas and frames them by the two parallel walls made with same material properties. The panorama between them is formed by the nature itself as the southern envelope of the foyer is a massive glass wall that is in direction of the lake. In the mixture of the materiality of the brick together with the massiveness of the walls, and in the contrary to the undisturbed view towards the landscape, the foyer could somehow be perceived as a space that is a hybrid of city and landscape.

ENVELOPE

Apart from glass windows, the rest of the outer surface of the building is made of prefabricated vertical blades made of wood. Their purpose is to ensure a better control of the natural light, but also to establish a better volumetric and material relation to the surrounding context. By the act of distortion of the surface, the necessarily big mass of the building becomes somehow scale-less as its size is hard to compare to the other elements in the landscape. The surface is abstract and created by irregular rhythms and its vibrations are in relation to the constant movement of nature, which is yet another narrative that is to be exploited in establishing a more context sensitive building. The result is a rich and dynamic building whose appearance is contemporary but also “light” enough not to interfere with the existing architectural environment.

The roof façade is perforated in order to introduce the desired lighting for the exhibition spaces. The system of roof openings consists of single repetitive prefabricated element that allows the desired quality of lighting into the exhibition spaces. The roof is also used as a productive surface as its great floor area is used for planting photovoltaic panels that will ensure a clean and sustainable energy.

LANDSCAPE INTEGRATION

The integration of the building within the highly precious existing landscape was one of the major concerns of the project. Thus, the existing topography is fully respected and the interventions to it are minimal.

The positioning of the building was done carefully and according to the great respect to the existing trees and only few of them are to be relocated in case of construction. As the connection between the Joenniemi Manor and the new building is established at their first floor levels, the museum extension footprint doesn’t disturb the pedestrian path that in the north-south axis is connection between the central square and the lake. The system of pedestrian paths is extended to the eastern side of the site where path finishes at the water border. The bridge that once connected the island with the mainland is to be reconstructed and later integrated in the patchwork of pedestrian routes enabling visitors to enjoy unrestricted movement through the site.

RATIONALITY

The building is rational and efficient in many ways. It is firstly the compact form of the building that makes its ecological footprint highly efficient. In that sense, the mass compactness guarantees an optimal relationship between external surfaces and mass, whiles the very careful use of glazing (apart from foyer), ensures effective thermal comfort and limited dispersion.

The structural system is clear and rather conventional and its simplicity will potentially enable a great reduction of building costs, an issue that is obviously very high in the agendas of the foundation.

Project Authors:

1- Contrast Designs (Egypt)

Kareem Hammouda
Mazin Abdulkarim
Tamer Nader

2- Jovan Ivanovski (Macedonia)

Project Team:
Andrej Prosevski
Goce Tikvarovski
Ivana Topalovska
Loai Nabil
Sara Mitry
Sayed Abdelmohsen

Egymec Office Building completed

2011-06-21T21:44:00.001+02:00

Last week we celebrated the opening of the Egymec Office building in Suez Industrial Zone, which is a part of a larger industrial complex. The company headquarters building establishes a dialogue with its surrounding mountainous desert context with its rough stone monolithic massing.

Project: Egymec Office Building
Client: Egymec Petroleum Services
Construction Completed: June 2010

Architectural Design Team:
Kareem Hammouda
Mazin A.Karim
Tamer Nader
Marwa Gamal
Karim Shoukry

Structural Design:
Eng. Rami Nabil

Electrical Design:
Eng. Ahmed El Deeb

Contrast Designs @ Shubbak

2011-06-17T22:20:00.001+02:00

Contrast Designs will be participating in the upcoming Shubbak: A Window on Contemporary Arab Culture Festival to be held in London. The "Public Domain Exhibition", a photo and film exhibition discussing public anc civic space in the Arab world will take place at the RIBA building between 12 July - 24 September 2011. Contrast Designs will be showing a number of photographs from Cairo that discuss the Cairene public domain. Other contributors include Iwan Baan and Charlie Koolhaas.

More information here

photo by : Contrast Designs

Egymec Office Building nears completion

2011-05-26T02:53:00.000+02:00

more info about the project here

Contrast Designs featured on national news

2011-01-23T16:13:00.000+02:00

Contrast Designs partners were interviewed for the egyptian national news during the press conference and prize ceremony for the Sednaoui Al Khazendar competition. Contrast Designs won an honorable mention in the competition last October. Below is the video of the reportage shown on national news and some photos of the event and the other winning entries.

Also follow us for a full interview live on air Sunday starting 5pm on Nile Culture Channel, where we will discuss our Sednaoui competition entry as well as some of our other projects.

First Prize Winner

Honorable Mention

Contrast Designs interviewed for Magaz magazine

2011-01-02T14:49:00.003+02:00

Magaz magazine's most recent issue no. 305, features Contrast Designs's Mazin abdulkarim in an interview about the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2010. The discussion, moderated by Moataz Faisal, features also italian architect Matteo Fachinelli and revolves around the italian and egyptian pavilions in last year's biennale.

CONTRAST Designs Talk About New Cities in Egypt

2010-11-25T22:04:00.006+02:00

CONTRAST Designs will talk about their ongoing research on the planning of the Egyptian New Cities program. The lecture called "The Architecture of Refuge" will take place at the Syndicate of Engineers, Ramses St.
next Thursday the 2nd of December from 7.30-9.30pm. Other renowned presenters such as Salah Hegab will also present their thoughts in this round Table discussion hosted by the Egyptian Society for Physical Planning. The presentation will coincide with the official launch of the IABR 2009 publication on Cairo called 'Diwan Cairo'. CONTRAST Designs participated among others in this publication that was edited by Dina Shehayeb and Shahira Eissa, and curated by Philip Misselwitz and Can Atlay.

Join us for an interesting evening..!

Sednaoui Al Khazendar Rehabilitation Competition, Honorable Mention Entry

2010-11-21T17:56:00.035+02:00

Here is our complete entry for the Sednaoui ElKhazendar Rehabilitation competition that won us an honorable mention.

“Sednaoui Al Khazendar” building and its surrounding square are interwoven in the diversity of interrelations that are produced by the two historical faces of Cairo. On one hand there is the building itself, comfortably situated in one of the capital’s oldest quarters, thus standing as a silent souvenir of Egypt’s rich history; on the other hand, in the shadows of that very same building, countless numbers of street sellers and buyers, pedestrians, cyclists, bikers, all embodied in the symphony of flowing cars and their horns, have found the dynamic universe of life patterns that we were willing to investigate in our project.
Starting with a long analysis process of the situation we were able to formulate three conceptual lines of intervention that would eventually enable us to give new birth to the Sednaoui Al Khazendar Building and its surrounding area.

Al Khazendar existing situation

Urban Intervention
1. Al Khazendar Urban Walk

In order to improve the accessibility of the building, the project is used as an opportunity to put forward a new model that mostly responds to the needs of the pedestrians. In that sense, the project proposes a solution where traffic is re-routed, thus generating a significant urban territory where the car traffic is prohibited and pedestrian activity promoted. This solution will eliminate existing intersections between the two directions occurring at several points surrounding the square, namely that in front of the Sednaoui building. Thus, the new traffic plan is viewed as a continuous loop that gravitates around the new pedestrian area and continues the traffic flow to and from Attaba square. The new ‘Khazendar Urban Walk’ will provide a vibrant commercial, cultural and recreational pedestrian axis that will accommodate numerous activities and allow for different permanent and temporary festivities.

Al Khazendar Urban Walk

2. Al Khazendar Market

In order to further develop the concept of extension of the pedestrian space, the front square in front of the Al Khazendar building is elevated, extending its surface to an underground plaza that is about to become an interim space, something between an entrance foyer, an event space, and eventually a micro climatic cocoon. Within this space a number of activities become possible, but most importantly to house a vendor market for part of the existing vendors in the area as well as temporary events. This large open space covered by an elevated perforated carpet hovering seamlessly on slender steel columns, becomes an extension to the Khazendar square existing plaza and a representation of the continuous dialogue between the building and its urban surrounding.

Al Khazendar Market

Following the same logic, the redesigned surface that sits on top of this underground, the main ceremonial “plateau” when approaching the building, is intensively (re)developed using spatial elements that promote cultural exchanges in the open air landscape. We decided to construct a new, rather than conserving the present square landscape. The “exploited” square surface design comes from the narrative of self-reflection of the Sednaoui Al Khazendar building into its surrounding landscape. Achieving a certain type of continuity between the vertical and the horizontal, this new landscape endorses again the continuous dialogue between the building and the square. Because of their undoubted qualities, the main conceptual components of the present square, the water and the vegetation, are still present.

Al Khazendar Square

Architectural Intervention
3. Sednaoui House of Arts

The redesign of Sednaoui Al Khazendar building itself goes beyond the purely conservation and preservation issues of creating a frozenly protected built environment. On the contrary, we tried to think of the building more as an open setting that could be inhabited by different programmes that will eventually transform the space into a place where the city and the building are constructed as a single whole. In this newly established unity, the project proposes functional, technological and environmental solutions that would make the Sednaoui Al Khazendar building a very lively and active cultural heritage.

In the project design methodology and analysis, the evaluation of the building qualities came at the first place. What we were able to realize immediately is that the most specific element of the building itself is its structural system. For us, the steel columns and beams are much more than simple construction elements onto which the facades are erected as an envelope. Firstly, we would rather like to see this three-dimensional grid as a conceptual framework that provides every user with a familiar orientation in the overall space. Furthermore, in those abstractly formulated cubicles we were able to foresee a spatial model upon which we would be able to propose a new flexible programmatic content, responsible for the rehabilitation of the building.

While the initial brief called to transform the building into a commercial center (mall), it was our intention to rethink and challenge what it could really offer in terms of new programme. This new programme promotes a space for the craftsman artist, the one who once played an important role in the society but whose labour is now drowned in the tons of low quality goods that due to global economy arrive from China, filling over to the streets of Cairo in countless numbers. Rather than this, the Al Khazendar building will accommodate a variety of creative people, who will there work, exchange, exhibit, and certainly put on the market the high quality manufactured goods they produce.

Rehabilitation Diagrams

The spatio-programmatic modules are about to be integrated in the previously mentioned, structural and orientation grid that is actually the milestone of identity of the Al Khazendar building. The distribution of these flexible modules is done according to the logic of compatibility and balance of the solid and void spaces. In that sense, the modules are not only populated in the building in order to create the highest possible programmatic density, but instead, the “empty” space that has been left between them is equally important as in public space the void is the active part. While this empty space acts as a catalyst for artistic innovation and creativity, providing new possibilities for exhibition and display areas into a larger volume, the voids between the artisan modules are inhabited with some supporting programmes such as meeting spaces, cafes, rentable display areas, musical performance areas, etc. Maintaining its significance as the central volumetric element of the building, the Sednaoui atrium will be place for continuous temporary events and exhibitions, and shall remain in a state of constant flux and transformation. On the other hand, the roof of the building is to become glazed, a concept of materiality that will provide much higher quality of natural lighting in the interior of the building, simultaneously providing a greater energetic efficiency but also an unprecedented atmosphere. This roof is then complimented by several recreational activities taking place on it, from temporary exhibition opening and events to permanent restaurants and cafes.

Al Khazendar Building interior

Site Layout

Basement Floor Plan

Ground Floor Plan

Mezzanine Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

Third Floor Plan

Lomgitudinal Section A-A

Cross Section B-B

Front Elevation

Project Team:
Tamer Nader
Kareem Hammouda
Mazin A.Karim
Jovan Ivanovski
Radwa Al Fayoumi
Sayed A.Mohsen
Loai Nabil
Hussein Farid
Mahmoud Al Fadali

CONTRAST Designs wins Honorable mention in 'Sednaoui Al Khazendar' Competition

2010-10-20T23:39:00.015+02:00

We just received the news that we won an honorable mention in the ‘Sednaoui Al khazendar’ Rehabilitation Competition in Cairo organized by the NOUH. Our proposal was based on a careful analysis of the site restrictions, realization of its potentials and problems, and a contemporary interpretation of new programmatic elements.

More details about the project soon. For now here are some images.

Project Team:
Tamer Nader
Kareem Hammouda
Mazin A.Karim
Jovan Ivanovski
Radwa Al Fayoumi
Sayed A.Mohsen
Loai Nabil
Hussein Farid
Mahmoud Al Fadali

CONTRAST Designs in MAGAZ

2010-08-16T01:43:00.004+02:00

CONTRAST Designs is featured in the new edition of MAGAZ magazine for August 2010 with their interior design for ALEF Bookstores - Mirghany Branch. For more info about this project check our previous post http://contrast-designs.blogspot.com/2009/07/alef-bookstores-nears-completion.html

AA City Cultures

2010-08-16T01:26:00.004+02:00

CONTRAST Designs partner, Mazin A.Karim, was recently featured in the new publication by the AA City Cultures Research Cluster, edited by Marina Lathouri and Ryan Dillon. His 'position' on the city discusses several ideas on the 'new city'. The publication also contains 'positions' by Theo Spyropoulos from the DRL, Chris Lee & Sam Jacoby also from the AA, and renowned professor and historian Peter Carl.

For more information and to get a copy of these articles visit www.aacitycultures.tumblr.com

+20 Egypt Design opens in the historic district of Cairo

2010-06-05T01:50:00.007+03:00

The +20 Egypt Design event launched last night with an unexpected success. The official opening of the 1st design week event was conducted by ministers of culture and industry (below with Contrast Designs' '2ashayer'). Contrast's lighting units are showing at Sabil El-Selehdar under the 'Crafting Light' exhibition organized by Rhimal. The two lighting units, '2ashayer' and 'linea', investiagate the potential of reusing waste building materials, and challenge misconceptions about what we are capable of contributing to a sustainable future.

The event continues from 3-7 June from 6-10 pm. If you are visiting, make sure you dont miss Dina Shoukry @ suhaymi house, our friend Daniel Dendra @ suhaymi house, Nedal Badr's 'muqarnasat', Leila Selim's 'dispute you label' installation, and the 2nd KYME exhibition @ Moheb Hall.

And finally, thanx to our dedicated project team : Kareem Shoukry & Meral Omar.

Alef Bookstores in Zamalek opens its doors...

2010-05-27T17:03:00.003+03:00

Alef Bookstores celebrated the soft opening of their most recent branch in Zamalek (the heart of arts and culture), Cairo. The interior design theme is a continuation of the andalusian style that characterizes the bookstore chain. The branch, designed by CONTRAST Designs, stretches over 2 floors connected together with a central wooden staircase spiraling inside an illuminated glass cube. Thebranch includes new experiences for Alef's lovers, Alef Cafe, internet corner, and a big section for art books.

Project: Alef Bookstores Zamalek
Address: 2 Taha Hussein St., Zamalek
Construction Completed: May 2010
Project Team:
Kareem Hammouda
Mazin Abdulkarim
Tamer Nader
Meral Omar
Nermeen Elazzami

CONTRAST Designs exhibits @ +20 Design Week

2010-05-27T16:17:00.003+03:00

Accompanying the upcoming Furnex exhibition (3-7 June), the first Cairo design week will be held under the title (+20). CONTRAST Designs will exhibit their new lighting unit series named "RADش".

More details about the opening soon !

Think Geometry

2010-02-15T01:33:00.006+02:00

Alef Bookstores launched its second branch inside the campus of Ain Shams University college of law. The small book outlet, designed by CONTRAST Designs, is a continuation of the collaboration with alef bookstores team and an extension to the design ideas and concepts that distinguish alef.

In the ASU branch, we worked extensively with the idea of treating the space as a 3d geometrical volume. Axis of movement, lines of sight, and organization of display units all follow a clear geometrically balanced heirarchy.

Project: Alef Bookstores Ain Shams University
Client: Alef Bookstores
Construction Completed: December 2009
Team:
Kareem Hammouda
Mazin A.Karim
Tamer Nader
Marwa Gamal

Lecture on contemporary egyptian architecture @ IUS

2009-12-07T15:33:00.006+02:00

Contrast Designs partner Mazin A. Karim was invited for a guest lecture at the International University of Sarajevo. The lecture titled 'Contested Situations / Opposed Realities' briefly exposed realities about contemporary architecture and urban design in Egypt, and Cairo in specific. This was followed by related student work from the Arab Academy of Science and Technology (AAST), and from Contrast Studio.

Contrast Designs invited critic @ IUS

2009-12-06T22:13:00.003+02:00

Contrast Designs partner Mazin A.Karim was invited as guest critic for midterm reviews at the International University of Sarajevo, in Bosnia. The reviews included undergraduate 2nd year students design studio projects.

Contrast Studio joins School of the Future Competition Jury

2009-11-13T20:45:00.005+02:00

Contrast Studio partner and co-founder Mazin A.Karim was invited as a jury member for the 'school of the future' competition for Magaz magazine. The jury met over 2 days discussing and selecting 3 winning projects.

The jury also included Johannes Kister (Germany), Daniel Dendra (Germany), Farouk Al-Gohary (Cairo), Ayman Wanas (Cairo), Aly Gabr (Cairo), Tarek Naga (LA & Cairo), Ahmed Mito (Cairo).

HTW Chur visits Contrast Studio

2009-10-20T23:28:00.005+02:00

A group of 30 students from the HTW Chur in Switzerland visited Contrast Studio last week with their professors Daniel Walser and Placido Perez. They were given a quick brief of our studio space and previous projects by studio partner Kareem Nabil. Then discussions went on between the swiss students and our own team.

Many thanks to the HTW Chur studio and to our own studio team (Marwa, Nermeen, Meral & Karim) for organizing this event.

Nasser Museum Results Announced

2009-10-04T21:28:00.003+02:00

Earlier this year Contrast teamed up with EGI for the competition to design the new Nasser Museum in Cairo.

The ministry of culture announced the winners recently...
http://gem.gov.eg/gamal_abd-nasser/index2.htm

Unfortunately our scheme was not selected as one of the winners, but was selected as one of the finalists. Finalists projects including our proposal are on show till the 15th of October at the GEM site.

Here are some images of our scheme.

Sneak Preview of Screen Table

2009-08-04T14:47:00.003+03:00

Here is a sneak preview of our Screen Table prototype.

Contrast Designs for Araek (www.araek.com)

Screen Table Description (http://contrast-designs.blogspot.com/2009/07/screen-table.html)

the Screen Table

2009-07-17T22:41:00.003+03:00

During a long product design workshop, cOntrast teamed up with japanese designer Shinishiro Ogata http://www.simplicity.co.jp/index10_e.html to design a number of furniture pieces for the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milano 2009. The work was exhibited in the egyptian booth under the theme Kyme. Unfortunately our Screen Table was never finished on time for the salone.

The Screen Table is a response to our contemporary dynamic and fast lifestyle. A table, seat, lap tray, lighting unit... its a compact everyday home unit. An accumulation of layers of egyptian history, abstracted patterns and materials... the screen table is a furniture piece with a story behind it... and its history embedded within it.

Many thanks go to our design team Anais Mikellian & Aicha Mansour

cOntrast submits entry for the Nasser Museum

2009-07-11T06:40:00.007+03:00

Contrast Studio teamed up with EGI in the recent architectural competition to design a museum for the egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser. The competition, initiated by the ministry of culture, targeted to transform the president's house into a museum that would accomodate his personal belongings as well as a large number of other related exhibits, that are considered to be part of the egyptian political history.

Sneak preview of our proposal coming soon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamal_Abdel_Nasser

Results are expected by late September 2009.

Alef Bookstores nears completion

2009-07-11T06:21:00.003+03:00

Alef Bookstores celebrated their soft opening last week in their first branch at 132 ElMerghany st, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt. Since February 2009 Contrast Studio has been working on the interior design concept and theme of the bookstore chain. This is only the first branch of the chain which will soon expand to cover many districts of Cairo battling against Diwan and el Shorouk bookstores.

Contrast would like to thank everybody who worked with them on this project, and contributed to its realization.

Contrast Studio at the AA

2009-07-11T06:02:00.004+03:00

During the first 3 weeks of June, Mazin A. Karim was invited to take part of the AA visiting teachers program in London, to lecture about the academic work at the AAST, where he teaches with his partner Kareem Hammouda. The workshop included 10 other participants from Lebanon, US, Canada, Turkey, Greece, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador.

http://www.aaschool.ac.uk/

Contrast Studio INTRO

2009-07-11T05:54:00.002+03:00

cOntrast designs is a multi-disciplinary design studio practicing in the fields of architecture, planning and interior design. It was founded in 2006 by 3 architects practicing in Cairo, Kareem Hammouda, Mazin A.Karim, and Tamer Nader.

Besides producing contemporary architecture and urbanism , they also focus on cultural analysis , critical investigations and the production of ideas. Their work has been exhibited internationally and most recently at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2009, Milan, and at the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2008.