The Mashrabiya Project

The mashrabiya originated in the ancient world. As a scalable latticed window screen, whose intricate geometries developed with the spread of Islam, it provided ventilation, shade, and privacy to buildings. Today, as restoration efforts revive centuries-old architecture across Cairo and an interest in craft is rekindled by a global maker movement, the wood-turned mashrabiya are not only poignant metaphors for artists, architects, and writers but also sources of inspiration for nascent wood artisans. This publication, the first dedicated to the study of the mashrabiya, connects a culturally specific craft with contemporary artistic practice. Through photographs conveying the beauty and artistry of these wooden structures as well as contemporary works by leading artists, the complex beauty and meaning of the mashrabiya are brought to life.