MARAKEZ proudly announces its sponsorship of The Local Show (TLS), a YouTube-based docu-series created by Egyptian-American designer Ramzi Makram-Ebeid, directed by Sherif Nakhla . The series, now in its first season, spotlights Egypt’s architectural landmarks through 4 locations that embody contextual, conscientious, and community-driven designs. Through architect-led storytelling, The Local Show bridges design and humanity, celebrating the essence of Egypt’s built heritage.
The launch event of The Local Exhibit at Villa M, Powered by MARAKEZ, took place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Villa M in Zamalek. Co-curated by Ramzi Makram-Ebeid and Malak Shenouda, the exhibit highlights each landmark’s historical and contemporary significance through the works of photographers Yehia El-Alaily and Essam Arafa, alongside carefully selected archival content.The event brought The Local Show’s narrative to life through an immersive, sensory experience that celebrates Egypt’s creativity across architecture, art, food, and culture.
Season 1 of The Local Show focuses on Egypt and highlights four iconic architectural sites, Basuna Mosque, St. Mary’s Church, Bayt Yakan, and Bayt al-Razzaz. Through 7 episodes, TLS narrates the story of these landmarks through the voices of renowned architects and designers, including Waleed Arafa, Ikram Mounir Nosshi, Ramses Ikram Nosshi,. Sherif Morgan, Youssef Ragheb, Alaa El Habashi, and Omniya Abdel Barr. Their insights show the importance of sustainability, functionality, community and cultural preservation in contemporary Egyptian design.
MARAKEZ’s sponsorship of The Local Show reinforces its commitment to supporting cultural and creative dialogue within Egypt’s design and architectural landscape. The partnership reflects MARAKEZ’s broader mission to foster spaces and narratives that connect people, place, and purpose, bridging real estate development with authentic cultural storytelling.
Dasha Badrawi, Executive Vice Chairman of MARAKEZ, stated: “We are proud to support The Local Show as it sheds light on Egypt’s architectural treasures and the creative minds shaping them. This partnership aligns with MARAKEZ’s vision of nurturing community-driven innovative developments that celebrate culture, creativity, and identity.”
Produced by Ramzi Makram-Ebeid, Founder of Human Nature Design, The Local Show presents a layered ecosystem that appeals to a wide audience, from architects, designers, and cultural practitioners to students, academics, and design enthusiasts. By showcasing authentic local stories through a contemporary lens, the series strengthens cultural appreciation and design awareness across generations.
The event featured panel discussions and an exhibition in collaboration with leading architects, including Waleed Arafa, Ramzi Makram-Ebeid, and Sherif Nakhla, moderated by Sarah Sarofim, Ramzi Makram-Ebeid, creator of The Local Show, commented: “Design and architecture have always been a central passion in my life. Creating The Local Show was a way to share that love – creating an educational and immersive experience for our viewers. Our partnership with Marakez marks a step forward in championing context-driven, conscientious design that honors community, heritage, functionality and sustainability.”
Through this partnership, MARAKEZ continues to position itself as a leading real estate developer and as a curator of modern Egyptian lifestyle and design culture. By sponsoring The Local Show, MARAKEZ reaffirms its commitment to investing in Egypt’s creative ecosystem, supporting initiatives that elevate design innovation and cultural authenticity.