Qatari Diar Egypt Transforms Aisha Fahmy Palace with 'Pearl Reimagined

Aisha Fahmy Palace is turning heads in Zamalek during the third edition of Cairo Design Week, coming alive with installations that explore the concept of “in betweens”. Between past and present, nature and structure, light and shadow. Stepping into the mansion's garden, visitors are immediately immersed in the spatial experience created by Qatari Diar Egypt.

Inside the historic halls of Aisha Fahmy Palace, Qatari Diar Egypt unveils “Pearl Reimagined,” an immersive pavilion celebrating the legacy of connection, value, and artistry. For centuries, pearls were more than ornaments; they were currency, vessels of memory, and connectors of trade. Qatari Diar Egypt’s pavilion translates this heritage into space, each layer evoking the centuries-old exchange of goods, ideas, and craftsmanship that once flowed along Egypt’s waterways, much like the Nile carried stories between cities and civilizations.

At the heart of the installation, the shell-like pavilion curves gracefully around its core, offering both protection and openness. Its fluid, layered borders mimic the geometry of a natural shell, with subtle translucence and ridges that catch the light like nacre. Acting as both boundary and embrace, it forms a sculptural sanctuary that shields what lies within while sparking the curiosity of visitors outside, inviting them to explore its inner radiance.

Through “Pearl Reimagined,” Qatari Diar Egypt invites visitors to witness how design can transcend form, becoming a living expression of community, creativity, and evolution. The installation creates a dialogue between heritage and contemporary architecture, highlighting the way material, light, and space converge to shape perception.