A contemporary vision of the Interior design of Architecture and Arts Academic Institutions in Egypt
Published in Social Sciences and Arts & Humanities
Why designing architecture schools became more than creating classrooms
Whenever people think about architecture and art academies, the conversation usually revolves around the curriculum, the faculty, or the projects students produce. But the more I explored these institutions, the more I realized that one important element is often overlooked: the interior environment where creativity actually happens.
That realization became the starting point of this research.
Looking beyond the building itself
Most educational buildings are designed to meet functional requirements—classrooms, lecture halls, workshops, and circulation spaces. Yet architecture and art students don't simply attend lectures. They sketch, build models, exhibit their work, collaborate with others, and spend long hours inside studios.
I wanted to understand whether the interior spaces of these academies truly support the creative process, or simply provide a place to study.
Discovering that creativity can be designed
As I analyzed architecture and art academies in Egypt, one pattern became increasingly clear.
Many buildings perform their educational function, but their interior environments receive far less attention than they deserve. Issues such as circulation, lighting, furniture, acoustics, color, material selection, and exhibition areas directly influence how students learn, communicate, and develop creative ideas.
Learning from successful design principles
Rather than focusing only on architectural form, I examined the elements that shape the interior experience.
Ceiling design affects both lighting and spatial perception. Color influences comfort and visual clarity. Lighting determines how students present drawings and models. Materials and textures contribute to both functionality and atmosphere, while acoustics help create environments that support concentration and discussion. Even movement through the building becomes part of the learning experience when circulation is carefully planned.
Comparing existing spaces with future possibilities
One of the most revealing parts of this research was comparing existing educational spaces with contemporary design approaches.
The analysis showed that many current academies suffer from outdated interiors, inefficient layouts, insufficient exhibition areas, and limited flexibility. At the same time, international examples demonstrated how modern educational environments integrate technology, adaptable furniture, and collaborative spaces without sacrificing functionality.
What actually supports creative learning
Throughout the research, several principles appeared consistently:
Flexible spaces that adapt to different teaching methods.
Comfortable furniture designed around human scale.
Balanced natural and artificial lighting.
Clear circulation that encourages interaction.
Exhibition areas where students can display their work.
Interior materials and colors that inspire creativity rather than distract from it.
Technology integrated naturally into the learning environment.
The goal isn't simply creating attractive interiors—it's creating spaces that actively contribute to education.
Turning research into practical design proposals
Perhaps the most rewarding part of this research was moving beyond identifying problems toward proposing solutions.
The design recommendations combined contemporary interior design strategies with elements inspired by Egyptian architectural heritage, while also exploring parametric design as a way to create flexible furniture, dynamic ceilings, and adaptable learning spaces. The objective wasn't to imitate international trends, but to create educational environments that reflect local identity while supporting modern teaching methods.
Where I'd like to take this next
This research focused on architecture and art academies in Egypt, but the questions extend far beyond a single building type.
As design education continues to evolve, I'm interested in exploring how interior architecture can create more collaborative, technology-driven, and student-centered learning environments without losing their cultural identity.
Because after studying these educational spaces, one conclusion became impossible to ignore:
Great architects and designers are shaped not only by what they learn—but also by the spaces in which they learn.
Personal Data
§ Name: Sahar Ezz EL Arab Ramadan Said .
§ Position: Associated professor in Architecture department,
in Higher Technology Institute in 10th of Ramadan.
§ Department: Architecture Department.
§ Contact: saharezz_1@hotmail.com .
§ Mobile No: 01152262151 .
Specilization
§ General Specialization: Decor department.
§ Specific Field : Interior Architecture .
Academic Positions.
· Associated professor in Architecture department in Higher Technology Institute in 10 th of Ramadan (Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from first term in 2019 till this date 16-12-2021 .
· Lecture in Architecture department in El Shorouk High Institute of Engineering (Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from 2017 - 2019.
· Lecture in Architecture department in Tebes High Institute of Engineering ( Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from 2014-2017.
Activites and Experiences.
1-Participated in many Exhibitions in Interior Architecture in the Faculty of Fine Arts 2020 -2021 (IN Zamelk in big halls in the faculty).
2-Shared in competition of furniture for Governorates of Egypt that was organized by Ministry of War Production in 2018 for making economy and multiuse furniture in Asmart Buildings followed to the government.
Research Interests.
-Lights- Desgin of Interior studios.
- Utilizing the techniques of Interior architectural elements of Mamluk architecture in modern architecture
BIO
§ DR Sahar Ezz EL Arab received her PHD in Décor Department (Interior Architecture) from Faculty of Fine Arts (Alexandria University in 2013.
§ worked as lecture in Teba Institute of Engineering (teaching Interior Architecture subjects in Architecture department) from 2014-2017&
shared in Control tasks in Teba Academy from 2014-2017.
§ moved to El Shorouk Institute of Engineering (teaching Interior Architecture subjects in Architecture department) from 2017 – 2019.
§ had many certifications in quality from Quality Assurance Authority In El Shorouk Academy in 2017-2018-2019, also worked as assistant director in Quality committee from 2017-2019, and an internal examiner in Quality of all departments in El Shorouk Academy in 2019.
§ works till this date 16-12-2021 in Higher Technology in 10th of Ramadan (teaching Interior Architecture subjects in Architecture department) as Associated professor and Department Quality Coordinator.
§ worked as Quality Coordinator in Higher Technology in 10th of Ramadan2020-2021, as prepared with her quality teams The ministry's annual file for the department, and all courses files of the department`s subjects
§ working in preparing the department program to Nars2018.
§ Worked as main responsible in control committee last second term and summer term last year 2020-2021in Higher Technology in 10th of Ramadan.
Qualifications.
§ 2013 phd degree in Decor department - Interior Architecture.
(The balancing between human behavior and residential interior spaces). faculty of Fine Arts (Alexandria University)
§ 2003 Master degree in Decor department - Interior Architecture. (Islamic Architecture and its effect on Interior architecture of modern house) .
faculty of Fine Arts (Helwan University) .
§ 1997 B.SC in Decor department - Interior Architecture. faculty of Fine Arts (Helwan University ) .
Academic Positions.
· Associated professor in Architecture department in Higher Technology Institute in 10 th of Ramadan (Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from first term in 2019 till this date 16-12-2021 .
· Lecture in Architecture department in El Shorouk High Institute of Engineering (Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from 2017 - 2019.
· Lecture in Architecture department in Tebes High Institute of Engineering ( Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from 2014-2017.
Activites and Experiences.
1-Participated in many Exhibitions in Interior Architecture in the Faculty of Fine Arts 2020 -2021 (IN Zamelk in big halls in the faculty).
2-Shared in competition of furniture for Governorates of Egypt that was organized by Ministry of War Production in 2018 for making economy and multiuse furniture in Asmart Buildings followed to the government.
Research Interests.
-Lights- Desgin of Interior studios.
- Utilizing the techniques of Interior architectural elements of Mamluk architecture in modern architecture
Publication (The most important researches )
1-The balance between subjective and objective in Interior design: In July 2016,(International Design Journal ),folder 6 .
2-Design Solutions for administration buildings: In July 2017, (International Design Journal ), folder 7 .
3-Using lights to enhance performance in studios of Interior design: In 2018 ,(Fourth Research Youth Conference ), Arts, Tourism and Antiquities Sector.
4-Utilizing the techniques of Interior architectural elements of Mamluk architecture in modern architecture : In 28-30 April 2018 ,(The third international conference for creativity and development in architecture, heritage, arts and literature - Alexandria ).
5-Standards for evaluating the compatibility of interior design of residential buildings With its inhabitants in terms of (mental health - physical)As goals for sustainability: In 13-15 December 2018,( First International Conference on Sustainability )- Environmental Efficiency for a Better Living.
6-Using Lights in the age of Globalization to achieve new aims in studios of Interior design: In 2018, International Conference of Innovation and Development in Architecture ,Arts and Literature – (International Design Journal ), folder 7 .
7-Grids as important elements for Good Design : In27 -28 February 2018, (First Scientific Conference of the Faculty of Applied Arts - October University).
8-Acontemporary vision of the Interior design of Architecture and Arts Academic Institutions in Egypt : In26 July 2020,( International Design Journal) .
9-Finding a correlation between the Interior Design and the Urban Character :2020 ,(Journal of AL Azhar University Engineering sector ).
10-Necessarry Consideration for drawing halls in Interior design studios: January 2021 ,( Journal of Architecture, Arts and Human Sciences published by the Arab Society for Islamic Civilization and Arts)).
11-Lights only to make a creative design:2020,1th ICEE2020 ( 1st International Conference on Engineering Education Present and Future 2020 )-Assuit university.
12-Guide for longevity and flexibility in Interior architecture ,Published: 28 April 2025,Volume 2, article number 46, (2025)-Springer Nature,Discover cities Journal
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44327-025-00066-2
13-A Special Equation between Visual Lightness and the Luxurious Impression of Interior Architecture through the New Classic,September 10, 2024,(Engineering and Technology journal )Online ISSN : 2456-3358
https://everant.org/index.php/etj/article/view/1527
14-Sustainable Development Interaction between Humans and the Interior Architecture:September 23, 2024,(Engineering and Technology journal ),Online ISSN : 2456-3358
https://everant.org/index.php/etj/article/view/1514
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