The 187-meter Cairo Tower remains the most prominent structural achievement of Naoum Shebib, serving as a testament to his expertise in reinforced concrete design. Completed in 1961 on Gezira Island, the tower utilized eight million mosaic lozenges to mimic the form of a lotus flower, standing as the tallest structure in Egypt and North Africa at the time of its inauguration.
Professional Formation and Practice
Born in Cairo in 1915, Shebib pursued formal training at Cairo University, graduating with honors in architectural engineering in 1937. He later expanded his technical qualifications with postgraduate diplomas in soil mechanics and engineering in 1954, followed by structural engineering in 1956. Between 1941 and 1970, he maintained a multifaceted practice in Cairo, operating simultaneously as an architect, structural engineer, and contractor.
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Shebib pioneered specific structural methodologies, most notably a patented concrete dome technique. In 1946, he constructed the roof for the Ali Baba Movie Theater in the Boulaq district by pouring concrete onto a ground-level mould and hoisting the set structure 12 meters into position using jacks. He frequently employed thin concrete shell vaults and mushroom structural supports across various residential, commercial, and religious projects, including the Saint Thérèse Church in 1948 and Saint Catherine's Church in 1950.
Major Institutional Commissions
Beyond his work on tall structures, Shebib acted as the lead architect and engineer for significant institutional buildings. The Al-Ahram Building, completed in 1968, serves as the headquarters for the newspaper of the same name. Spanning 30,000 square meters, the facility integrates printing, editorial, and administrative functions. His portfolio also includes the Thabet-Thabet Building, also known as the Belmont Building, constructed in Garden City in 1958, alongside various factories and schools.
Later Years
After nearly three decades of active practice in the Egyptian construction sector, Shebib relocated to Canada in 1971. He resided there with his family until his death in 1985 at the age of 70 in Montreal.
Fast facts
- Born: 1915, Cairo
- Died: 1985, Montreal
- Education: Cairo University
- Notable Work: Cairo Tower
- Field: Modernist architecture and structural engineering
- Key Innovation: Ground-poured concrete dome lifting technology
Questions readers ask
What design influence shaped the Cairo Tower?
The tower is designed with Pharaonic influence, specifically resembling a tall lotus flower decorated with eight million mosaic lozenges.
Did Shebib work exclusively in Egypt?
No, while his major professional career took place in Egypt between 1941 and 1970, he relocated to Canada in 1971 where he remained until his death.
Achievements
- Notable work: Cairo Tower
- Trained at Cairo University
