Architectural Discourse and Gender

Analyzing Egyptian Women’s Representation in Architectural and Engineering Periodicals in 20th Century Egypt

Abstract

Architectural magazines serve as valuable historical documents, enriching the narrative of architectural history and informing teaching practices. This paper examines the representation of women in five Egyptian architectural and engineering magazines published throughout the 20th century: al-ʿImara (The Architecture), al-Nashra al-Maʿmarya (The Architectural Bulletin), al-Maʿmar (The Architectural), ʿAlam al-Bena'a (The Construction World), and Majallat al-Muhandisin (The Engineers Magazine), covering the period from monarchy till President Mubarak's era, which had complex shifts toward women's status in society and architectural thought. This study employs discourse analysis, examining both the visual and textual elements of the content in the selected magazines, with particular attention to the language used. It traces how these magazines contributed to shaping the image of women in architecture. Early publications, like al-ʿImara, reinforced male dominance in the field, associating women with domesticity and consumerism. Nevertheless, women resisted these narratives by engaging in writing, art exhibitions, and architectural patronage, though often within constrained frameworks. Publications, such as Majallat al-Muhandisin, aligned with socialist ideologies, presenting women as professionals and maternal figures in line with state-driven modernization efforts. By the late 1960s, however, women’s visibility in professional discourse diminished. The late 70s and early 1980s marked a shift, with a growing number of female architects and increased representation in magazines like ʿAlam al-Benaa. Despite this progress, gender imbalances persisted, as women’s contributions to completed architectural projects were limited and often framed as collaborative efforts with male colleagues. The research highlights the fluctuating representation of women in architecture, shaped by political, cultural, and societal transformations in Egypt.