In the evolving realm of architecture and design, designers are rising to the challenge of fusing history with contemporary design by creating spaces that honour the past while embracing the present and future. To effectively integrate traditional craftsmanship, spatial compositions, and cultural narratives with contemporary aesthetics, materials, and technologies, a delicate equilibrium is achieved. Designers infuse their works with layers of meaning and significance by skillfully fusing motifs from many ages and cultures. This creates a sense of continuity and evolution. This produces designs that are both classic and pertinent to modern sensibilities, while also celebrating the diversity of cultural heritage and encouraging innovation and originality.

Egyptian architect Yasmina Makram's interior architecture and design studio is renowned for its exceptional ability to seamlessly blend in the rich tapestry of heritage with contemporary elements. The studio holds a portfolio brimming with works that harmoniously blend the past and present, enthralling viewers with narratives that stand the test of time. Their recent retail design project titled Nakhla is an avant-garde jewellery store designed at the heart of the soon-to-be-opened Grand Egyptian Museum. The project's interior design approach incorporates historical narratives into contemporary environments by drawing inspiration from Coptic and Ancient Egyptian origins. A respectful reconstruction of ancient Egyptian architectural techniques was used in the design process to create a place that strikes a balance between heritage and innovation.

At the heart of Nakhla's pavilion lies a tribute to femininity and strength, embodied by the iconic queen Nefertiti. Echoing her regal neckline, the retail space exudes a sense of grace and empowerment, juxtaposing feminine lines with the rugged beauty of temple stone. Speaking on paying homage to Queen Nefertiti in the design, Makram explained her ideology to STIR, “The angularity of the brass frames and the roughness of the raw stones are complemented by the motif of Nefertiti’s neckline, saturating the space with an ethereal air.” The retail design incorporates natural elements that link to the surrounding terrain of the museum. From modern lighting design to earthy textures, every element serves to illuminate Nakhla’s heritage and craftsmanship. As visitors walk through the space, they are surrounded by a beautiful mix of colours and textures, each showcasing Egypt’s diverse culture and history. Overall, this retail store design is an example of an ensemble narrative that blends well within its esteemed setting. In an exclusive conversation with STIR, the lead architect and designer of her eponymous practice, Yasmina Makram, delves into bridging the gap between history and modernity in architectural storytelling.

Aarthi Mohan: In your design practice, you are known for seamlessly merging heritage with contemporary elements. Can you share a specific example from other projects where this fusion played a significant role, and what challenges did it present?

Yasmina Makram: Nakhla’s bespoke pieces draw a strong connection between the family of Coptic Egyptian jewellery designers and their ancestors. Another example where this fusion played a significant role is in the Wadie Saad apartment, located in a heritage building on the island of Zamalek in Cairo. This apartment features many unique artworks by Egyptian artists and carefully merges the building’s classic elements with contemporary pieces. Together with the client, each project becomes a journey of discovery, from concept to completion, the client is guided through the process in which the studio assures a refined execution of the project that respects both the strong design vision and the client’s high ambition.

Aarthi: Given your focus on ancient Egypt and Coptic ancestry, how do you ensure that regional inspiration is consistently woven into your design narratives across various projects?

Yasmina: Regional inspiration is consistently woven into our design narratives, as we find inspiration from nature in our region and from local Egyptian craftsmanship. Ancient Egypt has been a source of inspiration for many thousands of years for many, and we feel grateful that we can draw inspiration from our vast heritage. Geographically, Egypt presents so much inspiration from its natural beauty, the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Nile Valley and deserts that surround us.

Aarthi: Your design approach often involves collaboration, as seen in the Nakhla project. How do you navigate and maintain a balance in the collaborative process to ensure the unique perspectives of each creative contribute to a cohesive vision?

Yasmina: Maintaining a balance in the collaborative process requires a lot of teamwork and a clear understanding of the client’s vision. A respectful approach to the design process began by looking at ancient Egypt’s architectural techniques. For a truly unique experience, the design could not be literal; it is a study of the composition of temples but reimagined in contemporary use. This project shares a collective vision with other creative collaborators, such as lighting designers, artists, and installations.

Aarthi: Commercial spaces often have a different purpose than residential or product design. How do you approach narrative building in commercial spaces, especially when the goal is to tell a story through the design?

Yasmina: Narrative building in commercial spaces solely depends on the project and its purpose. With Nakhla, the goal was to seamlessly blend the shop with the Grand Egyptian Museum’s ethos. Nakhla was inspired by Egyptian heritage, specifically the Pharaonic Era. It felt natural to make the store blend with the Egyptian museum.

Aarthi: The Nakhla project incorporates modern design elements with a solid understanding of ancient processes and materials. Can you discuss a unique instance in your work where you innovatively used materials to achieve a particular design goal?

Yasmina: As many of our projects are based in Egypt, we incorporate the use of elements and materials from our land, as it’s more sustainable. Many materials can be sourced from the Egyptian environment, such as stones. This also allows us to connect deeper with our heritage and homeland. Rough Egyptian limestones were sourced to create the bases of the jewellery design display stands. This ancient material was used to achieve our design goal of seamlessly blending the shop with the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Yasmina: The circulation and axis of ancient Egyptian temples were the starting point of our design, and we knew we wanted that sort of engagement in space. Instead of fighting against the room, YM utilises these angularities to create a flow between each zone. Adhering to the lines set out by the parameters of the space to create cohesive central display units. A sensory experience achieved with modern lines contrasted with earthy texture and a temple-like airiness.

Aarthi: Modern lighting techniques were used to highlight Nakhla’s bespoke pieces in an exhibitive manner. How did you approach the integration of lighting to not only showcase the jewellery but also to enhance the overall atmosphere of the space?

Yasmina: The concept of Nakhla’s lighting is to give the products more exposure, while also maintaining an ambient energy throughout the space. It was imperative to stick to the brand's origins, as Nakhla’s jewellery upholds history to enable a new generation to appreciate craftsmanship. This was achieved with modern lighting techniques illuminating the bespoke pieces in an exhibitive manner and highlighting the brand’s relationship with its cultural origins.

Embarking on a new perspective, Makram’s design philosophy celebrates the rich tapestry of history while embracing the spirit of modern innovation. Through careful attention to detail, collaboration and a deep connection to regional inspiration, her projects exude a sense of timelessness and authenticity. The designer intends to create spaces that honour the past and also captivate the present.