Historic Buildings Research Articles

Design of an Electric Vehicle Charging System Consisting of PV and Fuel Cell for Historical and Tourist Regions

One of the most important problems in the widespread use of electric vehicles is the lack of charging infrastructure. Especially in tourist areas where historical buildings are located, the installation of a power grid for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations or generating electrical energy by installing renewable energy production systems such as large-sized PV (photovoltaic) and wind turbines poses a problem because it causes the deterioration of the historical texture. Considering the need for renewable energy sources in the transportation sector, our aim in this study is to model an electric vehicle charging station using PVPS (photovoltaic power system) and FC (fuel cell) power systems by using irradiation and temperature data from historical regions. This designed charging station model performs electric vehicle charging, meeting the energy demand of a house and hydrogen production by feeding the electrolyzer with the surplus energy from producing electrical energy with the PVPS during the daytime. At night, when there is no solar radiation, electric vehicle charging and residential energy demand are met with an FC power system. One of the most important advantages of this system is the use of hydrogen storage instead of a battery system for energy storage and the conversion of hydrogen into electrical energy with an FC. Unlike other studies, in our study, fossil energy sources such as diesel generators are not included for the stable operation of the system. The system in this study may need hydrogen refueling in unfavorable climatic conditions and the energy storage capacity is limited by the hydrogen fuel tank capacity.

Examining approaches to investigating the United Kingdom’s existing building fabric in the pursuit of net zero targets

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyse the potential of existing buildings in the UK to contribute to the net-zero emissions target. Specifically, it aims to address the significant emissions from building fabrics which pose a threat to achieving these targets if not properly addressed. Design/methodology/approach The study, based on a literature review and ten (10) case studies, explored five investigative approaches for evaluating building fabric: thermal imaging, in situ U-value testing, airtightness testing, energy assessment and condensation risk analysis. Cross-case analysis was used to evaluate both case studies using each approach. These methodologies were pivotal in assessing buildings’ existing condition and energy consumption and contributing to the UK’s net-zero ambitions. Findings Findings reveal that incorporating the earlier approaches into the building fabric showed great benefits. Significant temperature regulation issues were identified, energy consumption decreased by 15% after improvements, poor insulation and artistry quality affected the U-values of buildings. Implementing retrofits such as solar panels, air vents, insulation, heat recovery and air-sourced heat pumps significantly improved thermal performance while reducing energy consumption. Pulse technology proved effective in measuring airtightness, even in extremely airtight houses, and high airflow and moisture management were essential in preserving historic building fabric. Originality/value The research stresses the need to understand investigative approaches’ strengths, limitations and synergies for cost-effective energy performance strategies. It emphasizes the urgency of eliminating carbon dioxide (CO2) and greenhouse gas emissions to combat global warming and meet the 1.5° C threshold.

Variations in the physical and mechanical behavior of basalt fiber reinforced NHL mortars exposed to different curing conditions

This paper investigates experimentally the short-term behavior of natural hydraulic lime (NHL) mortars reinforced with ballast fiber for use as structural repair mortars in historic and contemporary buildings. The physical and mechanical properties of mortar mixes reinforced with 0.143–0.215 mm equivalent thick and 12 mm long fibers in volumetric percentages of 1 %, as well as of unreinforced mortars, produced with different compaction methods and cured under different environmental conditions, have been evaluated. A cost-effectiveness analysis has also been carried out to determine the economic impact of these factors in their practical application. It is found that basalt fiber reinforcement provides lower water absorption coefficients and significantly improves the shore hardness, compressive strength, and post-critical flexural behavior of NHL mortars at early ages. Furthermore, it is observed that the compaction procedure can improve the packing density of the mortars providing higher densities, lower water absorption coefficients and higher mechanical strength values. Finally, it is verified that the curing parameters affect unevenly the basalt fiber reinforced NHL mortars and unreinforced NHL mortars, with greater deterioration being observed in the former when sufficient moisture is not ensured. Decreases in hardness, flexural and compressive strength, as well as increases in the water absorption coefficient are important. Consequently, the economic profitability of basalt fiber reinforcement depends on ensuring optimal moisture conditions during curing, especially when the mixes have already lost excess water after the first 2–3 days. The study provides quantitative and qualitative data to determine the appropriate curing parameters for basalt fiber reinforced NHL mortars that are viable in practice for their industrial performance.

Quantifying the electric service panel capacities of California's residential buildings

This study seeks to quantify the size distribution of existing installed electrical service panels within California's residential buildings, a potentially significant barrier to future decarbonization efforts. A large sample of historical building permit data was collected for municipalities throughout the state, from which permitted panel upgrades were extracted and analyzed. These data were used to develop a method for estimating panel capacities that incorporates information about historical code requirements for panel sizing in new construction with a statewide database of parcel-level building attributes. Overall, we find that 3% of single-family (SF) and 10% of multi-family (MF) properties in California have panels in the smallest size range, which will most likely require upgrades. However, 32% of SF and 59% of MF properties have panels of intermediate size, which will likely require the addition of load management systems to support comprehensive electrification. Future panel upgrade needs are expected to be more acute within disadvantaged communities, where the proportion of SF homes with the smallest-sized panels is 4x that in more affluent neighborhoods. We discuss the implications of these and other results within the context of existing and planned future state policies related to residential electrification.

Revolutionizing cultural heritage preservation: an innovative IoT-based framework for protecting historical buildings

Italy offers a cultural heritage of considerable value that needs to be protected. Indeed, natural deterioration linked to the passage of time affects ancient artifacts and buildings. Sometimes, the deterioration compromises the functionality of cultural assets, pushing them toward decay. In this scenario, effective intervention seems impossible on the various critical points because of the wide variability of factors involved and the wide range of possible treatments. However, the spread of low-cost technologies has led to the possibility of having different devices and sensors able to communicate and interact with each other and humans: the Internet of Things (IoT). In this scenario, the IoT paradigm makes it possible to map reality by defining a coherent virtual representation (Digital Twin), which could help preserve Cultural Heritage. This work introduces an IoT-based system combining monitoring, predictive maintenance, and decision-making regarding the implementable interventions for protecting cultural heritage buildings. For this purpose, deep and machine learning techniques allow for the detection and classification of damages on specific materials. The experimental phase consists of two phases: the first aims to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed architecture, and the second exploits a prototype capable of interacting with expert users. The results of the experimental campaign are promising.

Discontinuum Micromodelling of Unstrengthened and FRCM-Strengthened Masonry Cross-Vaults Subjected to Seismic Excitation

ABSTRACT Many historical buildings employ masonry cross-vaults as flooring systems. The structural response of such cross-vaults to seismic excitation still needs to be fully understood and requires investigation through experimental studies or accurate numerical simulations. This article presents a finite element discontinuum micromodelling technique to simulate a full-scale mortared masonry cross-vault (unstrengthened and subsequently strengthened with textile-reinforced mortar) recently tested on a shake table as part of a blind prediction competition. The numerical technique uses shell elements to model the brick and mortar geometry explicitly within the STKO+OpenSees finite element framework. Both brick and mortar materials are modeled using an advanced damage-plasticity constitutive model, addressing potential convergence issues associated with strain-softening materials through a novel implicit-explicit integration algorithm. The numerical models predicted the failure mechanisms and crack patterns in close agreement with the experimental results. The strengthened model displayed severe cracks spreading across a larger part of the cross-vault, whereas the unstrengthened model exhibited in-plane shear failure along the groin lines. The strengthened vault showed an almost twofold increase in peak ground acceleration capacity, demonstrating the effectiveness of textile-reinforced mortar. The proposed numerical technique will be helpful in the design of effective retrofit measures for heritage structures.

Historical buildings in South Africa

Historical buildings in South Africa

Integration of BIM and GIS Data of a Heritage Building Using FME

BIM and GIS technologies are used in both planning and investment and construction processes. GIS is more often used in the former, where one operates on a macro scale and information about the environment is essential for decision-making. BIM, on the other hand, is increasingly implemented in investment and construction processes (micro scale). The BIM model as a resource of knowledge and information about the construction object is the basis for decision-making, while data from GIS systems are necessary to obtain reliable information about the environment and the prevailing spatial, social or economic conditions. The basic information from GIS systems are attributes related to geographic location (coordinate system, angle to true north, elevation ordinate). Unfortunately, both technologies use different programming paradigms. GIS is mainly a relational database based on multidimensional tables, while BIM uses so-called encapsulation, polyform, hierarchy or instantiation, which enrich semantically stored data. There are many benefits to integrating geospatial data with building object information. The problem of compatibility and interoperability of the two technologies is the subject of many considerations of basic science and the problem of practitioners during application work. Georeferencing of BIM models is conferred in several ways, however, most of them require relatively expensive commercial tools or extensive digital skills or even programming. Rarely, however, are tools such as FME used for data conversion, management and visualization. Thus, the purpose of the present work was to attempt to properly georeference a BIM model of a historic building, located at Constitution Square in Warsaw, in a GIS environment, and then convert the data to shapefile output format using FME software. The results of the experimental work indicate that the BIM data can be embedded quite accurately in the space of a given coordinate system and displayed against various contextual data, but the 3D geometry itself loses its detail and quality. The paper discusses the limitations of the procedure and future research directions.

Understanding the Historic Center by Using Network Analysis with Mental Mapping Method: The Case Study of Amasra, Turkey

The history of the Amasra city center dates back 3000 years with its Fortress and City Walls, which are on the UNESCO temporary heritage list, and the important historical buildings around it. However, the ongoing controversy on Amasra’s conservation plan has revealed the difficulties of developing an approach that understands the historic fabric. In this context, the social relations of the urban images in Amasra, which is located on an archeological site and has an urban identity with its historical buildings, need to be analyzed. The aim of this study is to present an evaluation model that analyzes the network map of the places that create the urban image in the historic center of Amasra using visual methods. The urban images that form the historical identity in Amasra were mapped using the mental mapping method and developed using network analysis on the Graph Commons platform. The network analysis includes cluster and centrality metrics, which helps to understand social relationships in the network map according to its algorithm. The main focus area and central actors were explored with the simulation obtained by using this proposed model. The study results showed that the evaluation model is effective in understanding the formation mechanism of the historical center of the social networks between the architectural structures in Amasra. This study contributes to development in terms of enhancing historical identity and revitalizing the city images with tourism by evaluating the spatial structure of Amasra.

Use of Toxic and Allergen Plants in Landscape Arrangements of Urban Historical Areas: The Case of Çeşme Castle (İzmir)

Urban historical areas and buildings are structures that provide important information, culture and tradition transfer from the past to the present. These places are both an effective tourism area and a part of urban life. In addition to the aesthetic, ecological and functional benefits of the plants to be used in urban historical areas, their allergenic and toxic effects should be paid attention. Exposure to plants with toxic effects may cause mild or serious adverse effects on human health. The study was carried out to identify toxic and allergenic plants in the historical area of Çeşme Castle and to make evaluations about the area. Plants were examined on site in the study area and photographs were taken. According to the literature, the allergenic effects, toxic status, toxic parts and active ingredient of the plant species were determined. The data obtained were analysed and as a result of the analyses; 30 plant species, 29 genera and 22 families were identified in the area. Toxic plant species ratio in the area was 53.33 % and allergenic plant species ratio was 36.66 %. According to their forms, toxic plant species ratio was 37.5 % and allergenic plant species ratio was 81.81 %, with the highest proportion found in tree form plant species. Among the identified plants, 5 species have both toxic and allergenic effects. Recommendations have been made regarding the use of poisonous and allergenic plants in the field. Recommendations was made regarding the use of toxic and allergenic plants in the area.

Investigating the standard design and production procedure of heritage mortars for compatible and durable masonry restoration

Historic buildings ensure generational knowledge of past events, milestones, construction developments and evolution of materials, architectural designs, and practices throughout the centuries. It is indisputable that heritage buildings' survival against deterioration factors has proven the use of durable materials for their construction. However, they suffer inevitable decay due to ageing. Therefore, restoring the monuments to their original appearance and strength is always necessary for long-term survival. This paper discusses solutions for the design and development methods of new compatible restoration mortars for the architectural heritage, covering four significant aspects, namely: i) visual analysis of the heritage building in question, ii) experimental analysis of the original mortar samples for their physical, mineralogical and chemical properties, iii) characterization of the potential raw materials (available in the study area) that are close to the original, and iv) assessment of the new mortar durability. The mortars collected from the Castle of Good Hope, an important and ancient colonial edifice in the Western Cape Province (South Africa), were earth (samples SK7 to SK9) and hydraulic lime-based (SK1 to SK6), with 21–38 % porosity. The raw materials used on this monument include feldspar aggregates, possibly from the West Coast (Cape Town) and hydraulic lime for SK1, SK3 and SK5 mortars. For the restoration of the lime mortars (SK1, SK3 and, SK5), a hydrated lime-based mortar with a binder-to-aggregate ratio of 1:3, made of west coast sea sand and 5 % seashell additives, with a porosity of 24 %, has proved to be the most durable. The aesthetics for all the restoration mortars M1 to M9 is difficult to achieve considering the original material ageing factor, thus, the use of color-enhancing pigments is recommended.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Evaluation of Air Quality and Thermo-Hygrometric Conditions for the Conservation of Heritage Manuscripts and Printed Materials in Historic Buildings: A Case Study of the Sala del Dottorato of the University of Perugia as a Model for Heritage Preservation and Occupants’ Comfort

The Sala del Dottorato (Hall of Graduates) is a magnificent library in the University of Perugia which plays the double role of providing optimal conservation of valuable books and manuscripts while also hosting important events. This double role is closely connected to contrasting indoor microclimatic conditions. This paper presents the results of a multidisciplinary study, begun in 2019, which investigates optimal conditions for the conservation of volumes by monitoring thermo-hygrometric and air quality parameters. The study describes the current conditions of the Hall (in terms of air temperature, relative humidity and concentration of CO2), highlighting critical aspects, defining strategies for their mitigation and control, and outlining future developments. Improvement measures relate to the installation of a permanent monitoring system with alarm settings and data storage, technical interventions on the windows, and the restoration of several volumes. The paper shows the importance of monitoring as an instrument of control in real time and provides guidelines for management to be implemented according to indoor microclimatic conditions.

Assessment of the Renovation Need, Material Authenticity, and the Cultural and Environmental Value of Historic Apartment Building Neighbourhoods

Preserving the built heritage, maintaining the original exteriors of historic apartment buildings, and achieving today’s living standards and ambitious environmental objectives require a multidisciplinary approach encompassing cultural, economic, legal, social, environmental and historical factors. This study aims to assess the need for renovation and the cultural and environmental value of historic apartment buildings. Architects, conservators and civil engineers have been involved to evaluate the authenticity of materials and forms, their technical condition and suitability to the historic urban milieu across 19 building components. Our findings reveal significant replacement activities in various elements such as roof coverings, roof eaves, façades, stairwell windows, stairwells, exterior doors, and window and frame distribution, with a particular focus on materials rather than geometry. Notably, there is often a lack of original materials of the windows. When comparing materials and geometries, we observed a higher frequency of material replacement. While the immediate need for intervention may not be urgent, many historic apartment buildings are at risk of imminent material deterioration, necessitating timely renovation. The deep renovation approach, which extends the service life, enhances energy efficiency and indoor climate and restores the exterior aesthetics, offers a threefold benefit. However, aligning the current reconstruction requirements with the preservation of milieu values may remain ambiguous, leading homeowners to resist or overlook these obligations. Consequently, a culture of step-by-step (staged) renovation emerges, contributing to an eclectic appearance of the historically valuable area and promoting the use of inappropriate materials. In conclusion, this research emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to building renovation, which yields architecturally superior and technically sustainable outcomes. The current study underscores the necessity for a shift in the authorized heritage discourse in Estonia. Rather than primarily imposing restrictive measures on construction and renovation projects, the focus should pivot towards effective communication of historical values. It is crucial to provide support and guidance (not restrictions) to building owners, designers and builders in this regard.

Towards Decreasing Encroachments on Conserved Historic Buildings, Users Participation as an Approach: The Case of Youth Center- Sebastia

This paper examines what, why, and how users’ behavior can cause encroachments on historic buildings after conservation. It also introduces users’ participation in the conservation process as an approach to containing these encroachments. With this aim, this paper reviews the literature and extracts three approaches to user participation in the conservation process, which are social-benefits, economic-benefits, as well as emotional-needs. To examine the possible role of each approach in containing the negative practices by users, the youth center in Sebastia, Palestine has been analyzed as a case study in which the process of the encroachment of the users of these types of buildings and the reasons behind them have been studied. In addition to the former, this paper presents the users’ role in the deterioration of historic value and the visual appearance of the building within the short period of conservation. Based on this analysis, it was found that the encroachments have manifested in different forms, such as unsystematic interventions, sporadic neglect, and vandalism. Such intrusions on these structures are a direct result of not involving users in the conservation process. Thus, the paper discusses involving users in the former process to limit harmful practices using suitable approaches including users.

Vibroacoustic characterization of a chamber music concert room in the context of the urban texture

The integrated interpretation of the tangible and intangible dimensions of cultural heritage assets is challenging, since much of the required information is often lost or difficult to find. In particular, when coming to the functional planning of historic spaces or archaeological sites, documental or archival sources are scarce or even absent. Consequently, to support the interpretation of these functional design and planning elements, which are related to the life of communities that inhabited those areas, quantitative methods, such as a physical characterization of site-specific environmental variables, may assume a great relevance, like in the case of the vibro-acoustic properties conceived for specific uses or performances, as theatres, cathedrals or other public spaces. With this goal in mind, we have started a pilot experimental activity, aiming at characterizing the vibroacoustic fingerprint, i.e. the vibro-acoustic site-specific features, of a historic building private chamber music concert room, located in the centre of Napoli (South Italy). This work, based on the integration of different sensors and modelling tools, has allowed to observe the site-specific vibroacoustic features not only in relation to the geometric features of the space, but also in relation to the surrounding urban landscape morphology. Consequently, the results have evidenced the presence of a site-specific vibroacoustic fingerprint, related to how the structure and the surrounding urban morphology were planned. The applied integration of a unifying model, previously validated in the literature, and of broadband vibroacoustic measures, has allowed to evidence some quantitative elements, that, characterizing the interaction between spaces and the people living them, constitute a possible basis for interpreting the heritage intangible components (design according to functional and/or symbolic purposes) in relation to different structural urbanistic and architectural elements (tangible heritage).

Assessing the behavior of historic masonry buildings to tornadic events: A comparative study of code-based analysis and point cloud based simulation

During the Midwest Tornado outbreak in December 2021, the historic downtown of Mayfield, Kentucky was heavily impacted. Employing digital documentation, numerical analysis, and on-site wind speed estimations, this study evaluates the behavior of the impacted historic masonry buildings. It explores the structural damages and stress distributions observed in historic masonry buildings impacted by tornadoes, comparing them to predictions made by the ASCE 7–22 standard for tornado loads. Through this investigation, it becomes evident that the stress distribution and damages produced by the on-site tornado wind speeds were significantly different than those derived from the ASCE 7–22 standard. The current standard does not account for most historic structures, typically classified as Risk Category.II. Based on the results of this research, even when these structures are treated as Risk Category III, the stresses estimated by the standard are much lower than the ones experienced on-site. This disparity raises critical questions for preservationists evaluating similar masonry structures in tornado-prone regions. Historic preservation emphasizes minimal intervention, so understanding and addressing the specific vulnerabilities of historic masonry structures to tornadoes is crucial. The analysis in this study identified uplift forces on the roof and high stresses on windward walls as primary causes of damage in these structures, which aligned with the observed collapse mechanisms. Preservationists can use these insights to develop targeted retrofitting strategies that address these vulnerabilities while minimizing impact on the historic fabric. Recognizing these nuances and their impact on structural behavior is crucial for safeguarding the resilience and significance of historic civil structures. Thus, this study lays the groundwork for developing evidence-based, preservation-sensitive guidelines for mitigating tornado damage to irreplaceable historic masonry structures.

Evaluating the attractiveness of architectural destinations with content analysis method and artificial intelligence: the case of Ankara

ABSTRACT Determining the attractiveness of architectural destinations is important in revealing why visitors prefer these places. The study will help to identify the positive and negative aspects of buildings in terms of tourism in a wide scope and will also guide architects and designers in building design. From this point of view, the sample area of this study was determined as the city of Ankara. Ankara is a potential tourism destination as it is both the country’s capital and home to many historical buildings that shed light on the Republican era. The study method is based on content analysis of the comments of domestic and foreign tourists on architectural structures in the city on Tripadvisor, one of the leading digital travel platforms. The study is limited to eight (8) architectural structures. By analyzing the comments on the travel platform, the prominent themes in the attractiveness elements of architectural structures were identified. Although the numerical values obtained with artificial intelligence are different, the prominent contents are the same. The ability of artificial intelligence to interpret and analyze concepts constitutes an important method for qualitative analysis. As a result, the study found that the most attractive elements of architectural destinations for visitors are historical, cultural, and architectural values.

Automatic Removal of Non-Architectural Elements in 3D Models of Historic Buildings with Language Embedded Radiance Fields

Neural radiance fields have emerged as a dominant paradigm for creating complex 3D environments incorporating synthetic novel views. However, 3D object removal applications utilizing neural radiance fields have lagged behind in effectiveness, particularly when open set queries are necessary for determining the relevant objects. One such application area is in architectural heritage preservation, where the automatic removal of non-architectural objects from 3D environments is necessary for many downstream tasks. Furthermore, when modeling occupied buildings, it is crucial for modeling techniques to be privacy preserving by default; this also motivates the removal of non-architectural elements. In this paper, we propose a pipeline for the automatic creation of cleaned, architectural structure only point clouds utilizing a language embedded radiance field (LERF) with a specific application toward generating suitable point clouds for the structural integrity assessment of occupied buildings. We then validated the efficacy of our approach on the rooms of the historic Sion hospital, a national historic monument in Valais, Switzerland. By using our automatic removal pipeline on the point clouds of rooms filled with furniture, we decreased the average earth mover’s distance (EMD) to the ground truth point clouds of the physically emptied rooms by 31 percent. The success of our research points the way toward new paradigms in architectural modeling and cultural preservation.

Парки-пам’ятки садово-паркового мистецтва Вінниччини як об’єкти історико-культурного туризму

The purpose of the article is a comprehensive analysis of the study of parks as monuments of landscape art in Vinnytsia region. Attention is focused on historical and cultural tourism, the purpose of which is to visit places related to history and historical heritage, which includes such objects as palace and park ensembles, historical buildings, and natural monuments of the native land. The research methodology is based on the principles of historicism, scientific objectivity, and systematicity. The purpose and objectives of the study led to the use of general scientific and special historical methods. The former include the methods of analysis and synthesis (of historical facts and sources), comparison and generalization in drawing conclusions. Among the historical methods is the chronological method, which allowed us to study the process of development of landscape gardening in Ukraine and in Vinnytsia region in chronological order. We also used the following methods: regional (which allowed us to trace the regional peculiarities of the region), problematic-chronological, comparative-historical. The scientific novelty of the study is that the information about parks as monuments of landscape gardening art of Vinnytsia region is comprehensively systematized. The main objects of garden and park tourism of national and local importance are characterized. Conclusions. Parks adorn the Vinnytsia land, have great natural, historical, scientific, educational, recreational, tourist and aesthetic significance, and are an integral part of the cultural heritage of our people. For this reason, they should be considered as important objects of tourist activity in the region. The article covers the history of the parks: Antopilskyi, Verkhivskyi, Nemerchenskyi, Nemyrovskyi, Obodivskyi, Tyvrivskyi, Cherniatynskyi, Pecherskyi and Tulchynskyi. Each of these parks-monuments of landscape art has its own past, associated with historical events, prominent personalities who visited it, legends and stories. The parks have preserved valuable plantings and architectural and artistic monuments that are important not only historically but also have a certain significance for contemporary practice. The main purpose of parks-monuments of landscape art is to preserve, maintain and restore park landscape compositions, as well as to conduct excursions and public recreation. Their territories can also be used for scientific research. They combine environmental protection functions with historical, tourist, cultural, and aesthetic ones. That is why they deserve special attention, care, maintenance and protection.

Exploring the creative city in post-revolutionary Downtown Cairo: On coworking spaces and neoliberal strategies in New Egypt

ABSTRACT This paper examines the remaking of Downtown Cairo in the post-revolutionary era through real-estate’s adoption of the creative city approach using a neoliberal strategy of adaptive reuse for historical buildings. Through mapping a new narrative of coworking spaces in Downtown Cairo and carrying out spatial and observational analyses of Consoleya coworking space as a case study, the paper situates and theorizes spatial practices of the creative city and explores the subject formation of the entrepreneurial citizen as a neoliberal strategy to pacify Downtown Cairo. The analysis draws on the work of Harvey’s entrepreneurial urbanism, Bourdieu’s social construct of capital, and Foucault’s subject formation to demonstrate coworking spaces’ monetization of Downtown Cairo, generation of class privileges and exercise of control through an entertaining atmosphere of co-creation. The case study epitomizes New Egypt’s neoliberal era of soft control recurring in the ongoing urban regeneration projects of Downtown Cairo.