Ali Labib Gabr


Ali Labib Gabr was an Egyptian architect who practiced during the second quarter of the 20th century. He was the first Egyptian Dean of the School of Architecture at Cairo University, and is noted for being a leading 'pioneer architect' in designing both workers housing and luxury villas, in particular that of Arab diva Om Kalthoum in the Cairo neighbourhood of Zamalek.

Early life and education

He studied architecture in England at a time when Frank Lloyd Wright was influential and Le Corbusier and Hausmann were still evoked in Paris. Committed to bringing back part of what he had seen, together with Garo Balyan and Max Edrei ; and Antoine Selim Nahas, he was bent on making a difference in Cairo.
He worked between 1920 and 1950.

Buildings

One of his iconic buildings on Tahrir Square has been damaged by fire during the 2011 revolution.