Homegrown Handover Projects Crafts Homes From the Ground Up

In a world where concrete structures dominate skylines and sprawl relentlessly across the earth, there's something profoundly grounding about discovering a humble home - its walls formed from undulating waves of red, crafted from the very soil beneath it. This is the vision at the heart of Handover Projects, an Egyptian design and build practice dedicated to reshaping the construction field through earth-built structures that embody warmth, sustainability and a deep connection to humanity.

Beyond its aesthetic allure, building with earth carries a timeless essence that transforms spaces into something almost ethereal. It's not a new technique; it's one with roots stretching back to ancient civilizations. In our fast-paced, modern world, this method has been quietly making its way back, reminding us of the importance of slowing down and reconnecting with the earth beneath our feet. But its resurgence requires intentional effort, a deliberate push to bring its rich history and natural beauty back to the forefront of contemporary design.

In this SceneHome interview, we sit down with Radwa Rostom, civil engineer and founder of Handover Projects, to explore their remarkable journey. From their origins and the challenges they’ve faced, to their mission of spreading awareness and education, Radwa sheds light on how Handover Projects is touching lives, reshaping perspectives and debunking myths about building with mud.

How did your unique experiences and background guide your vision for integrating sustainability and human-centred design into your work?

I studied Civil Engineering at Ain Shams University, and the word 'sustainability' was never part of our vocabulary. Still, it lingered in the back of my mind. I was always intrigued by the idea of recycling and using waste materials, but it never occurred to me that this could intersect with my field of study.

During my studies, I actively participated in community work and volunteered in underprivileged areas. It always struck me how inhumane some of these living conditions were, especially the houses and living spaces. I often wondered, 'What are we really doing?' I felt a strong urge to use my expertise to make a difference, and I thought, at some point in my life, I would find a way to help through my field.

Because of my passion for community service, I even considered working with NGOs after graduation instead of pursuing a career in the construction industry. But, with some advice from my family, I decided to give the construction field a shot. That’s when everything clicked. I realised there are so many alternative ways to build - approaches that aren’t necessarily modern but are far more relevant to our context.

As the founder of Handover Projects, what inspired your focus on sustainable and human-centered design?

The idea to start Handover Projects happened almost by chance. While studying sustainability through online courses, I came across a fellowship program in Germany focused on ideas with social impact. I applied, got accepted and that’s what initiated Handover’s very first rammed-earth house.

I moved to Germany for two months, where they helped us develop our ideas, refine our branding and plan for implementation. The program required participants to return to their home countries and create a prototype within 10 months. For me, that meant building something tangible.

The fellowship didn’t provide funding, they simply monitored the process. But even with the challenges, it was the push I needed to start. Driven by this challenge, I returned to the same site where I used to volunteer during my university days and began searching for a house to build.

Sustainable building practices often face resistance, but also offer unique rewards. What’s been the most rewarding part of breaking through those barriers and seeing people embrace alternative construction methods?

Interestingly enough, one of the main challenges we faced was the widespread belief that building with earth was unreliable. People would often say things like, “Oh, but the house will fall down when it rains,” or, “I want a house with reinforced concrete like the rich people.” It took a lot of effort to debunk these misconceptions.

When we were working on our very first project, El Ezba, the community there was convinced that the house wouldn’t last. One day, while we were on site, it started pouring rain. Suddenly, everyone in the neighbourhood came out, watching the house, fully expecting it to collapse. I think this moment was actually a turning point because, to their surprise, the house stood its ground. The community started cheering - they couldn’t believe it had survived!

These misconceptions aren’t limited to one group of clients. Whether we’re working on private commercial projects or community-focused initiatives, we still get questions about the reliability of our building methods. It’s not about education levels or background - it’s simply because this approach to construction isn’t widely understood or embraced yet.

Looking ahead, how do you envision the integration of sustainable building techniques like rammed earth into Egypt’s mainstream construction practices?

When I first encountered the challenge of the lack of institutions in Egypt teaching earth construction, I realised I had to seek knowledge elsewhere. So, I travelled to India, immersing myself in the techniques of rammed earth construction. This experience not only expanded my understanding but also sparked the creation of one of Handover’s core pillars: our commitment to education.

Today, through my teaching roles at the German University in Cairo and Nile University, and through the workshops we run at Handover Projects, we aim to make sustainable building methods more accessible to both students and professionals. It’s not just about sharing knowledge. It’s about shaping a future where these techniques are integrated into the mainstream.

In your experience, what are the most significant barriers to integrating sustainable and human-centered design in mainstream construction, and how do you navigate them?

The challenges we face are as interdisciplinary as our work. Many are technical, such as adhering to building codes. For example, with compressed earth, we must follow the load-bearing code, which limits us to building only two floors. If we need to go higher, we must explore alternative structural solutions, like using a skeleton frame with rammed earth or stone walls.

Rammed earth walls are made by compressing layers of earth, which means we need to plan all infrastructure before construction begins. Once the walls are poured, we can't dig for ducts or make alterations without damaging the structure's aesthetic and integrity.

Another challenge is addressing misconceptions about these materials. We make sure to educate users that while rammed earth requires special treatment due to its natural composition, it’s incredibly durable and easy to maintain. For example, we apply organic oils and glue to the exterior for protection, which is both cost-effective and sustainable. Additionally, as per Egyptian code, we ensure that roofs protrude to protect walls from rainwater, and sometimes we even build small stone platforms to keep the walls isolated from underground moisture.

Though these challenges exist, they’re always manageable. Our approach to research and development is project-based - each new project brings its own set of challenges, which kickstart our ongoing innovation and refinement.

Could you elaborate on how your participatory design methodology shapes the integration of community input throughout the construction process, and how it ultimately influences the functionality and sustainability of the living spaces you create?

Engaging the community is at the core of what we do. When I look at Greater Cairo, I’m often struck by the number of social housing projects that have failed or been altered in ways they were never intended to be. The fact that this remains a recent and ongoing issue still surprises me. For our social projects, we don’t just build - we collaborate with NGOs already deeply embedded in the community, ensuring that every step of the process reflects the needs and voices of those who will live in these spaces.

But it’s not just about the people we’re building for, it’s also about the people who are building. In every project, we rely on new craftsmen. We don’t simply employ them- we teach them, empower them and work alongside them. Through workshops and hands-on training, we’re passing on valuable skills and knowledge. So now, what began as a small initiative has evolved into a growing network of craftsmen.

How do you see the role of knowledge sharing and communal dialogue in shaping more inclusive and impactful design practices?

Knowledge transfer, at its core, is a dialogue - a dynamic exchange, not a one-way street. While we bring our expertise to the table, we also leave with newfound wisdom from the communities we collaborate with. One example of that would be the St. Catherine’s Wadi Gharba Community Center project. We spent a week embedded within the community, learning from them as much as we taught. We organised a workshop for students, during which the community shared their traditional techniques, like building roofs with palm fronds and working with stone, that had been passed down over generations.

On our end, we had reimagined the entire process. Instead of traditional plans, we built physical models to illustrate the spaces. Then, we listened. Not just to the adults, but to the children who would use the spaces. Their insights reshaped our design, guiding us to a more intuitive, human-centred approach.

This wasn’t just about building structures, it was about building connections. What began as a collaboration between architects and craftsmen became a mutual exchange of knowledge, where all involved, us included, were both students and teachers.

As you continue to grow, how do you ensure that your commitment to social responsibility and purpose-driven work remains central to your mission, even as the company evolves?

Our growth has been slow but steady, driven more by impact than expansion. From the very start, social responsibility and making a difference have been at the heart of Handover Projects. Even now, when we hire new team members, we prioritize their alignment with our mission over technical expertise alone. We look for people who understand that joining us means working for a higher cause. This is especially important because our workflow and processes are unconventional and not always steady - it takes a shared sense of purpose to navigate this path together.

How do you balance the financial side of your business with your commitment to social projects?

Our commercial work is rooted in a human-driven philosophy. We aimed to craft a business model that allows us to engage in as many social projects as possible. This balance is achieved through our commercial side, which provides financial stability, enabling us to work on impactful social initiatives with narrower profit margins. But our motivation goes beyond profit - we're passionate about expanding the use of alternative building methods like rammed earth, stone, and compressed earth blocks. In order for these techniques to gain traction, we need the broader construction and development sectors to recognise them as viable alternatives to more conventional methods. It's about opening up new possibilities for sustainable and ethical construction practices.

It's also important to note that rammed earth isn’t always cheaper - it can actually be more costly at times and certainly requires more time to work with. That’s why we now promote it not just as a building material, but as an aesthetic addition. We explore its use in products, landscaping, and furniture, finding alternative ways to strengthen its presence in the market.

Photography Credit: Handover Projects