In Egypt’s arid Western Desert, a quiet revolution in architecture is taking shape. At Royal Herbs Village, a self-sustaining community of eight structures houses 120 people, from workers to engineers, in carbon-neutral homes that stay cool without air conditioning. Accordingly, the project of ECOnsult, a woman-led Egyptian firm, proves that green architecture can be both affordable and transformative.
Founded in 2013 by climate entrepreneur Sarah El Battouty, ECOnsult has spent over a decade challenging the notion that sustainable building is a luxury reserved for the wealthy. “Sustainable design is at the core of what we do, bridging the gap between climate responsiveness, affordability, and accessibility,” El Battouty said in an interview with SceneHome. Her vision has propelled ECOnsult to the forefront of climate innovation, earning accolades from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Ashden, and the World Green Building Council.
The firm’s defining moment came in 2020 with North Africa’s first carbon-neutral residential project, a residential complex that achieved a 10-degree temperature reduction without mechanical cooling. By using local materials, optimizing airflow, and incorporating shaded courtyards, ECOnsult demonstrated that sustainable design could address the practical challenges of extreme climates while reducing environmental impact. The project not only set a new standard for green architecture but also offered a model for climate-responsive development in the region.
As the first Egyptian architect nominated for the prestigious Earthshot Prize, she has become a global advocate for sustainable development. Her work has earned her recognition alongside architectural luminaries like Sir Norman Foster and Francis Kéré, as well as a place among the 100 Most Impactful Women in Climate. A senior advisor to the Egyptian president since 2014 and a UNFCCC Global Ambassador, El Battouty has positioned ECOnsult at the intersection of policy and practice, advocating for greener building standards across Egypt’s corporate and public sectors.
ECOnsult’s portfolio reflects its commitment to innovation and accessibility. From the Pavilion Café in Italy, built using discarded refrigerating casings and waste wood, to Banque Misr’s green-certified branch in Egypt, the firm has shown that sustainability can be both high-impact and cost-effective. Its work on Royal Herbs Village, which includes a cafeteria, clinic, and worship area, earned the MENA region’s first Carbon Neutral certification and the world’s first Green Communities Certification by the World Green Building Council.
For El Battouty, architecture is about more than buildings—it’s about people and progress. “Climate action in the building sector is no longer optional,” she said. “Architecture for better livelihoods is now an integral part of all business growth.”
As global temperatures rise and urban populations grow, ECOnsult’s work offers a blueprint for sustainable development that resonates far beyond Egypt. From rural communities in the desert to corporate boardrooms, the firm is proving that green design can be a catalyst for change, one building at a time.
