Round 2 of Dialogue with the Nile asked architecture students to design a floating market on the Nile. 65 entries were submitted and the jury selected 24 Finalists; the places and awards stay sealed until the closing ceremony.

What is awarded

  • First Place — EGP 30,000
  • Second Place — EGP 15,000
  • Third Place — EGP 5,000
  • Environmental & Sustainability Award
  • Elme3margy Award
  • 2 Special Mentions and 4 Honorable Mentions

The Dialogue with the Nile Prize

Designed for the idea that rose above the rest. One project takes it home on ceremony night.

The Elme3margy Award

One more surprise lands on ceremony day: a special award by Elme3margy, the platform of architect and content creator Bahaa Maher, who presents it on stage.

The results are announced live on Saturday, 26 September 2026 at Cairo Venue, Gabalaya St., Zamalek (doors at 6:00 PM), and published on this site right after the announcement.

Who decides

Every place and award is decided by the seven-member jury — Prof. Gasser Gamil, Dr. Heba El-Dessouky, Dr. Omar El Hosseny, Samer El Sayary, Adam Dayem, Hans-Petter Bjørnådal and Nathália Vilela — against the five criteria published in the brief: concept clarity and narrative (25%), spatial and architectural innovation (25%), integration with the Nile context (15%), feasibility and sustainability (15%) and presentation quality (20%). The jury’s decision is final.

Environmental & Sustainability Award

The brief asked every team for a short structural and environmental concept on the board, and for service pods for maintenance, utilities and waste, and it gave feasibility and sustainability 15% of the evaluation. This award recognises the project that carried that question furthest: a market that lives on the water without weighing on the river.

The mentions

Beyond the three places, the jury gives 2 Special Mentions and 4 Honorable Mentions to projects that caught its attention for an idea, a risk taken or the quality of the presentation; all are announced on stage before the top places. Winners and selected teams receive certificates.

Bahaa Maher and El Me3margy

El Me3margy is the show of architect and content creator Bahaa Maher on Al Nahar, bringing architecture to a wider audience. At the ceremony Bahaa leads panel 3 with Samar Helmy and Mahmoud Azouz, on turning a concept into an experience that can be built and operated, and then presents the award that carries his show’s name.