The Shell: Winner: Cairo Design Award 2025 | Architecture & Urban Design

Located in the Fayoum desert near the Valley of the Whales, The Shell - Tzila Camp was one of our greatest challenges. Our goal was to build something that didn't just sit on the sand, but felt as though it grew out of it. Inspired by the ancient fossils of the area, we designed a structure that resembles a natural shell, a ribcage for the desert. We chose to work with wood, a material with soul, using over 3,000 pieces that were all assembled one by one.

Winning the Cairo Design Award 2025 is a significant honor because it recognizes the hard work behind the scenes. Our team worked in the heart of the desert under the burning July sun, without electricity or shortcuts. They poured their hearts into every single detail to ensure this vision became a reality. This award belongs to the hands that built it.

Today, the camp is a place for people to gather, connect, and enjoy the silence of the desert. This award proves that when you design with honesty and respect for nature, the result is something truly special. At Tektōn, we don’t just build structures; we build places where people belong.