Modern Coptic
The development of Coptic churches from the 20th to the 21st century
J.Y. Youssef (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
J.M.K. Hanna – Mentor (TU Delft - History, Form & Aesthetics)
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Abstract
This paper researches the evolution of Coptic churches in Cairo from the 20th to the 21st century. It focuses on the political and social dynamics that affect the design and construction process. Through an interdisciplinary approach including archival research, legal and political analysis, on-site analysis and interviews with architects the socio-political dynamics affecting the church construction are explored. The paper is divided into two major parts, the first covering the political dynamic starting from the imperial edict of 1856, all through The church construction and renovation law of 2016. One of the major finds shows a big gap in the legal context whereas from 1934 to 2005, there is little to no legal discourse concerning the church construction giving space to the political and social context to affect the decisions in relation to the design and construction. Leading to the second part, the form development of the Coptic churches in Cairo is explored through a social and architecture lens focusing on contexts that affected the construction of some churches. The research includes case studies from both eras such as St. Mark Cleopatra by Ramses Wissa Wassef and El Karouz church by Maher Andraws.