satellite dishes in north african cities, photographed by manuel alvarez diestro

after many years living in morocco, algeria and egypt, manuel alvarez diestro has dedicated a new photography series to the vernacular architecture of northern africa, and in particular, the satellite dishes that populate the buildings. whether clinging onto façades or proliferating on rooftops, the dishes add another layer to the urban fabric, appearing almost like a parasitic organism that’s become attached to the existing structures.

housing development in algiers

all images © manuel alvarez diestro

when capturing the images, diestro noted that it’s characteristic in northern africa for the buildings to mirror the lives of those who live inside. from the modernist structures of algiers, which were influenced by le corbusier, to the more humble buildings in cairo, the tenants’ attitude of adding more and more screens generates an organic quality to the architecture that it is not seen in other places. this improvisation takes the built environment into new realms of expression, converting the roofs and façades into a celebration of rhythm and as a result, resembling a ‘horror vacui’ artwork. 

building frontal façade in algiers

interplay of satellite dishes in cairo, egypt

view of casablanca’s roofs, morocco

sunset on top of a roof in cairo, egypt

satellite dishes against buildings in cairo, egypt

cairo’s roofs, egypt

le corbusier inspired building in algiers

group of satellite dishes in cairo, egypt

cairo’s skyline with satellite dish in the front

abandoned satellite dish in the black desert, egypt

parabolic façade in algiers

project info:

photography: manuel alvarez diestro

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edited by: lynne myers | designboom