AUC freshman Malak Hashem is drawn to architecture that balances beauty, sustainability and community impact
Supported by the newly established Kerr Family Scholarship for undergraduate students, freshman Malak Hashem is beginning her path toward becoming an architect focused on sustainability and community impact.
“We have a lot of global challenges, like pollution and the use of nonrenewable resources,” Hashem said. “I chose architecture because it allows me to respond to these issues. My current interest is in sustainability and net-zero buildings. I hope that, with my knowledge, I can help communities adopt these methods to create a stable and sustainable environment.”
Hashem’s interest in architecture grew from a lifelong passion for drawing, crafting and sculpting. While studying historical art, she became drawn to the geometry of Islamic architecture and the grandeur of Baroque ceilings. That balance between beauty and function ultimately led her to architecture — a discipline she believes “can’t be replaced by AI because humans are the only ones capable of true creativity.”
“I want to use sustainable energy in my future buildings to help reduce the impact of the water crisis."
AUC’s New Cairo campus has reinforced that belief. Designed with sustainability in mind, the low-lying, Andalusian-inspired buildings integrate shaded courtyards, windcatchers and recirculated water systems that reduce energy use and minimize waste amid Egypt’s water scarcity. Summer winds are guided through the campus to cool interior spaces, limiting reliance on air conditioning.
For Hashem, the campus serves as a living example of the principles she hopes to apply in her own work. “I want to use sustainable energy in my future buildings to help reduce the impact of the water crisis,” she said.
On a campus built to encourage connection and environmental awareness, Hashem has found a like-minded community. Conversations with senior architecture students have sparked her excitement for upcoming theory courses, where she will explore the historical and philosophical intentions behind architectural forms. AUC’s Core Curriculum has also shaped her perspective. Courses in rhetoric and composition introduced her to the study of beauty beyond aesthetics.
“I learned that beauty is a deeply rooted concept in every aspect of life,” Hashem said. “It’s not about appearances or social media trends.” As she looks ahead, Hashem is intentionally taking courses across disciplines — including business, psychology and sociology — to develop as both an architect and global citizen. “I won’t stop at my undergraduate degree,” she said. “I want to continue my studies so that one day, I can build communities that are both beautiful and sustainable.”