Eng. Raef Fahmy: The Architect Behind the Samaya Residence Master Plan

When Nile Stone Urban Development chose an architect for its first project, it went to one of Egypt’s most experienced design offices. Eng. Raef Fahmy, founder and chairman of Raef Fahmi Architects, supervised the master plan of Samaya Residence in October Gardens. This article looks at his career, his ideas about architecture, and how those ideas shaped Samaya.

Three decades of Egyptian architecture

Raef Fahmy graduated from the Faculty of Engineering at Ain Shams University and started his career in architecture in 1986. In 1991 he founded Raef Fahmi Architects, which he still leads as chairman, according to his profile on Zak World of Façades.

The same profile notes that:

• His firm has designed projects for public and private clients in Egypt and abroad.
• Developments he worked on have won international awards in global competitions.
• He is a visiting lecturer at the American University in Cairo, where he teaches architectural design theories and methods.
• He was selected for the Architecture Committee of the Supreme Council of Culture, which helps shape regulations for Egypt’s built environment and urban development.

Developers continue to trust the firm with large projects. In November 2023, Invest-Gate reported that Times Developments partnered with Raef Fahmi Architects on T.HUB, a EGP 2 billion commercial and administrative project of six buildings in New Cairo. The developer’s CEO called the firm “a leading regional consultant”.

His design philosophy

Raef Fahmy has spoken publicly about how cities and homes should be designed. In a 2019 round table on architecture and sustainable development, reported by Amwal Al Ghad, he set out ideas that run through his work:

Sustainability is more than solar panels

He described sustainability as having connected economic, social, material and environmental sides. He also argued that green architecture needs a national system, not just a few green buildings, and that a shift from private cars to public transport would make a whole city greener.

Homes should serve generations

He said residential projects should serve more than one generation and grow with their residents. A neighborhood that pushes young people away, he warned, loses spending and investment value over time.

Design for Egypt’s climate and culture

He noted that Egypt’s climate is mild for most of the year and that people prefer open spaces. He also stressed understanding the culture and housing needs of clients, so that projects fit the people who will live in them.

Mix uses, keep life close

He called for residential, commercial and other uses to sit close together, even within a single project, instead of being separated.

Projects must also work financially

He pointed out that a developer needs a profitable project to fund the next one. Good design has to be realistic.

How these ideas shaped Samaya

In September 2025, Invest-Gate reported that Nile Stone assigned the full architectural design of Samaya to Raef Fahmi Architects. Nile Stone CEO Omar Abo Algoud said the choice reflected a shared vision of combining modern design with local character. He pointed to the firm’s experience with community- and sustainability-focused projects and its people-centered approach. Raef Fahmy said the project reflects Nile Stone’s aim of balancing design excellence with quality of life.

You can see his principles in the plan:

• Open space first. Only 20% of the land is built. 80% is green space, landscaping and water features. This matches his view that Egyptians prefer open spaces in a mild climate.
• Low density. Just 16 buildings on the whole site, for wider views and more privacy.
• Life close to home. A mall, a mosque, a kids’ area and pools inside the compound, in line with his call for mixed uses within one project. Property Plus also lists offices, a medical center, a co-working space and EV charging (Property Plus).
• Homes for every stage of life. Studios to 4-bedroom units from 52 to 213 m², plus ground-floor units with private gardens. A young couple and a growing family can both find a home here, which echoes his idea of projects that serve generations.
• Flexible layouts. Invest-Gate reported that the design allows flexible unit layouts so residents can customize their homes.

At the launch, Raef Fahmy summed up the approach in one line, quoted by Property Plus: each unit was designed to be “a spacious home, not just an apartment”. The design uses panoramic facades for natural light and open views, and the gardens follow a calm Asian landscape style.

Why the architect matters to buyers

A building’s design decides how it feels to live in for decades: the light in the morning, the view from the balcony, the walk to the mosque or the kids’ park. An experienced architect also designs for maintenance, cost and long-term value. That is why Nile Stone made design a priority from the first day. Learn more about the people behind this choice in our article on the founders of Nile Stone, and about the official approval of the plan in our article on Ministerial Decree 1491.

See the design for yourself

Browse the renders in our Image Gallery and watch the walkthroughs in our Video Gallery or on our YouTube channel. To visit our sales office or ask about units, contact us or call 01033339017.

Read next: Samaya Residence October Gardens: the complete guide to location, master plan, units and amenities.

Sources

• Zak World of Façades: Raef Fahmi speaker profile
• Amwal Al Ghad: Raef Fahmy on green architecture and sustainable development (26 Oct 2019, Arabic)
• Invest-Gate: Times Developments partners with Raef Fahmi Architects (1 Nov 2023)
• Invest-Gate: Nilestone assigns design of Samaya to Raef Fahmi Architects (2 Sep 2025)
• Property Plus: Launch of Samaya Residence (Dec 2025, Arabic)