“ The reason why the Universe is eternal is that it does not live for itself; it gives life to others as it transforms” – Lao Tzu
Design Concept
The roof design draws from the spatial logic of the Giza pyramids. By mapping their positions, I set anchor points that generate three conic roof forms with aligned light openings, creating a mysterious, curated interior and a new landmark that bridges ancient history with a speculative future
Sacred Sequence
The morphology begins by extracting the coordinates of the three pyramids and treating them as anchor nodes. I lift these points and connect through an interpolated curve, which becomes the primary driver for mass scaling and the modulation of light and spatial ambience.
The same logic applies to the market area, where the curve defines both the circulation pathway and the overall spatial journey, guiding movement and shaping the experiential sequence throughout the space.
Form Discovery
Roof
Starting from a set of nodes, the roof form is generated through a conic lifting process driven by Kangaroo physics. Each point is influenced by concentric target circles that pull the surface upward, shaping a lightweight, triangulated mesh.
A curve interpolated through the three main nodes becomes the key driver of the system. It controls how each panel shifts away from the curve and how the triangular faces scale, producing varied openings and changing light qualities across the roof.
While the surface reads as light and continuous, it still requires structure. The central curve is therefore transformed into a series of 2D trusses with vertical supports, grounding the generative form in a clear structural logic.
Market
The market below follows the same parametric logic. I pull a triangulated ground grid using the same interpolated curve, generating scaled triangular fields. Then I culled smallest triangles. While the remaining ones merge to form smoother, more human-scaled spaces.
These unified shapes are extruded three meters to create the market shops. Above them, the original triangles reappear as seating platforms, stepped elements, and planted surfaces. This introduced variation in height and activity and creating a layered public experience.
Iterations
Because the coordinates of the three pyramid points remain fully parametric. They can be shifted, rotated, or scaled to generate new interpolation curves. Each variation produces a distinct roof iteration with its own spatial character. Which can then be translated directly into the market layout, maintaining a continuous design logic across scales.
Traveler’s View
Celestial View
Spatial Slice
Sacred Geometry
A spatial slice reveals the dialogue between the floating roof and the market below. On the ground, the market moves in a lively, seemingly chaotic rhythm, while above, the roof offers a calm, stress-free space for celestial gazing. Stairs act as connectors, bridging the energetic activity below with the serene rooftop experience, creating a layered journey through the project.
A top view of the market
Inner Realm
Conclusion
Through the fusion of ancient geometry and futuristic computation. The project reimagines Bab El Louk as a space that honors Cairo’s past. While projecting forward into a new architectural language.
