Hana Siri

Egypt's first female architect who pioneered modernist design in post-colonial Africa

Hana Siri (1905-1978) broke barriers as the first female architect in Egypt and a leading figure in North African modernism. After studying architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris (1927-1932), she returned to Cairo to design the iconic Faculty of Sciences building at Cairo University (1943), which became a symbol of post-colonial architectural independence. Her designs blended traditional Islamic motifs with modernist principles, creating a unique architectural language for the region. Despite facing severe gender discrimination, she completed over 80 projects including the first women's cooperative housing complex in Alexandria (1950) and the Sudan National Museum (1962). Her 1958 manifesto Architecture Without Borders argued for socially responsible design that respected cultural heritage. Siri's work inspired generations of African architects and influenced the design of the African Union headquarters. She was posthumously honored with the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2003. Read more here