Assiut Heritage Trade Fair

Faculty of Fine Arts, Alexandria University in Alexandria

Project idea

Project Statement: Heritage and Commercial Exhibition in the Old Qaisariya District of Assiut City
Objective:
The project aims to save and revive the dying and nearly extinct handicrafts in Assiut city, to instill pride in this heritage, teach it to the younger generations, and spread it worldwide.

Context:
Assiut is rich in traditional crafts that include many significant handicrafts, such as:

Talli Craft: Embroidery with gold and silver threads, worn by many stars and used by global fashion houses like Dior.
Pottery Craft: Assiut houses the oldest pottery in the world from prehistoric times.
Other Crafts: Including leather products, straw crafts, hand weaving, and organic engraving.
Goals:

Reviving Handicrafts: Creating a place where visitors can purchase traditional handmade products.
Teaching Handicrafts: Providing educational opportunities for visitors to learn these crafts, whether for leisure or to gain a skill that could help them start their own business.
Showcasing Production Process: Offering visitors the chance to see the production process of handicrafts firsthand to enhance their understanding and appreciation of these arts.
Expected Outcomes:

Saving handicrafts from extinction.
Raising awareness and enhancing pride in Assiut's craft heritage.
Creating economic opportunities through the teaching and marketing of handicrafts.

Project description

Scope of the Project Solution
Part One:

Exhibitions:
This section includes exhibitions showcasing traditional handicraft products, along with an exhibition for products made in the workshops of current craftsmen.
Part Two:

Restaurants and Food Shops:
This part features restaurants and shops selling traditional foods from the city and Upper Egypt.
Part Three:

Workshops and Shops:
This section houses workshops where handicrafts are made with the presence of craftsmen and workers. It also includes shops where the products made in these workshops are sold.
Part Four:

Educational Section:
This part includes educational workshops for adults and children to learn the crafts and understand their history. It also features a library specialized in books about craft education and their history.

Technical information

Technical Specifications of the Project
Building Materials:

Stone and Glass:
The building is primarily constructed from stone, with most walls consisting of two layers; the outer layer of stone or wooden mashrabiya, and the inner layer of glass to provide maximum natural lighting, reduce heat ingress, and cool the interior environment.
Ventilation System:

Natural Ventilation:
In the exhibition area located below ground level, an English courtyard is used for natural ventilation.
Artificial Ventilation:
The garage is ventilated using an artificial ventilation system.
Structural System:

Cross Slabs and Reinforced Concrete:
The structural system used is cross slabs made of reinforced concrete.

Documentation

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