The Practice
Founded in 2010 by architect May El Tabbakh following her return from the United Kingdom, May El Tabbakh Architects was established with a strong dedication to the restoration and conservation of heritage buildings. Rooted in a profound respect for architectural identity and cultural legacy, the practice began with a mission to safeguard historic structures through thoughtful and sensitive interventions.
Over the years, the firm has evolved into a multidisciplinary design practice offering comprehensive architectural services that seamlessly integrate contemporary design approaches with historically conscious methodologies. Each project reflects a careful balance between preservation, innovation, and timeless design.
Working extensively within heritage environments led naturally to a deeper engagement with the spatial and experiential qualities of interiors. This marked the beginning of May El Tabbakh Design Studio — an interior design practice specializing in the conservation, refurbishment, and adaptive transformation of heritage spaces. Alongside its work within historic settings, the studio has developed a strong presence in the contemporary interior design scene, delivering high-end residential and commercial projects distinguished by refined aesthetics, craftsmanship, and contextual sensitivity.
May’s enduring connection with the design culture of the United Kingdom continues to influence the studio’s creative language, inspiring many of its design concepts, products, and spatial experiences.
The studio’s product design division emerged organically through its broader design practice and has since developed into two distinct brands. “Moga” celebrates the spirit of Alexandria through thoughtfully crafted souvenir and lifestyle products inspired by the city’s rich cultural identity. “The Monkey Business” focuses on contemporary furniture and home décor collections that combine character, craftsmanship, and playful sophistication. The Monkey Business showroom is located in 6th of October City.
May El Tabbakh graduated from the faculty of engineering –department of architecture, Alexandria University in 2002. From 2003 to 2005 she became architectural researcher at the Alexandria Preservation Trust. In 2007 May worked in London, UK as a conservation architect till she was awarded the British Chevening scholarship in 2008 to do her MSc degree in Sustainable Heritage from the Bartlett, UCL, 2009.
May El Tabbakh Architects was founded in Alexandria in 2011.
From 2013 to 2016, May participated as speaker in several UNESCO expert assemblies. Her expertise led her to speak on the topic of the built environment of Alexandria in several international conferences, such as at the Modern Heritage Observatory, Regional Networking Meeting, Beirut 2013, and the Union for the Mediterranean, Barcelona in 2014.
May was shortlisted twice as finalist in the Study UK Alumni Award, sub category Entrepreneurial Award, in 2017 & 2019. She was selected to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) by the U.S. Department of State in 2017.
From December 2019 to July 2021, May was consultant and supervisor of the Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center (Alex Med) at the Library of Alexandria.
