The redbrick, tumbledown post office on Al Gomhoriya Street in Maghagha, though humble and quaint, has stood for decades as an enduring symbol of the Upper Egyptian city’s identity. Despite its disheveled state, the building remains a vibrant hub for Maghaghans. Here, locals send and receive post, purchase stamps, and cash their pensions. Located on the outskirts of Al Minya governorate, Maghagha has been one of Egypt’s most important agricultural centers since the time of the ancient Egyptians. The city has a rich cultural heritage with traditional customs, cuisine, and celebration, and its people are known for their warm hospitality. The post office’s story is that of Maghagha itself, says Moaz Abouzaid, founder and lead designer of Verform, an Egyptian boutique design studio. With offices in Dubai, Istanbul, and Milan, Verform is on a mission to revitalize the past and integrate it into the present. Under Abouzaid’s leadership, the firm set out on a journey to renovate the historic Maghagha post office. The biggest challenge, however, was figuring out how to breathe life into the dilapidated structure without compromising its storied history. From the verdant fields that surrounded Maghagha to…
Renovation of the Iconic Maghagha Post Office Breathes Life Into a Once-Dilapidated Structure
October 25, 2023
