The Home of Shadows #4 competition Honorable mention winner - Hesham Muhammad Younis Hassan Ahmed

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winner of our The Home of Shadows #4 competition – Hesham Muhammad Younis Hassan Ahmed from Egypt!

Hesham Muhammad Younis Hassan Ahmed

Please tell us about your company (when it was founded, where it is based, how many employees, etc) Alternatively, if you do not have a company, please give us some insights on your own professional/academia background.

Younis Architects is a boutique architecture & interior designer based in Alexandria, Egypt. The studio was founded in 2019 just when the Corona Virus did hit with one remote employee, now the studio has 14 employees ranging from Architects, Interior designers, and graphic designers.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where the company/ individuals have been Involved?

Our focus is on small to medium-scale projects where meticulous design impacts lives on a micro-scale and where human experience takes center stage. Our studio focuses mainly in the following typologies

A- Residential : Single & Multi-Family.
B- Hospitality : F&B and Boutique Hotels.
C- Commercial : Retail Stores & Workspaces.

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of an architect in your society?

Personally speaking, my heart beats for design that genuinely connects with people. In our market, beautiful and well thought of spaces often feel out of reach, and design is -mostly- commercially driven, we’re on a mission to change that story. I’ve intentionally structured our studio to bring a deeper level of care, creativity, and craftsmanship to a wider family of clients, believing that exceptional design can be more accessible and that it’s all about shaping the user’s daily moments and truly enriching their lives.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

I believe that architectural competitions are one of the best ways to hone your skills, challenge yourself, and explore without boundaries. This belief extends deeply to our incredible team as well—the very soul of our studio. I am passionate about nurturing their creativity, providing them with engaging projects, and giving them the space to explore new design narratives, something that becomes much easier through participation in architectural competitions. This approach helps our team thrive and, in turn, infuses every client project with fresh thinking and truly distinctive outcomes.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture competitions?

I understand that joining competitions might feel like leaving your comfort zone - and it kind of is - and that is good, if you want to build your skills the fast way, join a competition.