The conservation project of the Zawiya and Sabil Farag Ibn Barquq was made possible with funding by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Grant No. 263-G-00-93-00089-00 and administered by Egyptian Antiquities Project (EAP) of the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE). A trial trench was dug in the Zawia-Sabil Sultan Farag Ibn Barquq, Cairo, to investigate the causes of significant floor subsidence, particularly in the sabil room. Excavated between September 24-30, 1998, the trench measured 120x130 cm. It aimed to assess the soil and foundation conditions beneath the floors.The findings revealed that the subsidence resulted from the shrinking of loose, uncompacted fill directly under the floor. This layer consisted of dark, loose soil with limestone rubble, organic material, and numerous cavities. The fill was originally deposited in the 1920s when the building was relocated to its current site, raising the floors above the street grade. It had no historical value and was likely affected by fluctuations in the water table caused by faulty and updated sewage systems. When the water table rose, the fill expanded, filling cavities, but it subsequently shrank as the water table receded, exacerbated by organic decomposition.The underlying foundation layer was solidly built and compact, showing no cracks, deformation, or signs of instability. The subsidence was unrelated to the original underground cistern, which is outside the building's current footprint. The study concluded that replacing the loose fill with stable, inorganic material could resolve the issue. The conservation work at the Zawiya and Sabil Farag ibn Barquq, conducted between 2000 and 2005 under the direction of Hoda Abdel Hamid, was a comprehensive effort to restore and adapt the historic monument, originally built in 1408. The conservation project brought together a diverse team of architects, conservators, engineers, and community liaisons to restore and adapt the monument for modern use. It unfolded in several stages, starting with architectural documentation and a condition assessment led by Dr. Salih Lamei and his team from the Center for Conservation and Preservation of Islamic Cultural Heritage. They created detailed drawings and conducted historical analyses, which were crucial for the conservation planning process. Experts such as John Griswold and Prof. Ian Hodkinson were engaged to develop conservation strategies for stone and wooden elements. Addressing the complexities of working within a densely populated urban environment, community liaison consultant Ahmed Abou El-Yazeid facilitated cooperation with local vendors to ensure minimal disruption while safeguarding the integrity of the site. From 2000 to 2005, conservation work progressed under the direction of Hoda Abdel Hamid, focusing on both structural stabilization and fine conservation. Specialists, including Kevin Cain and Philippe Martinez, employed laser-scanning technology to document the monument, while Mahmoud El-Toukhi oversaw stone masonry restoration, staircase repairs, and interior excavations. Structural interventions included waterproofing measures implemented by Italian specialists Mauricio Tonini and David Daflume from the COMER firm, preventing further deterioration. Attention then shifted to the aesthetic and decorative elements, with Lotfi Khaled Hassan leading the cleaning and consolidation of polychromatic marble and stone inlays, and the wood conservation expert Erico Peintner restoring the prayer hall and sabil room ceilings. Conservation work on the Zawiya and Sabil Farag ibn Barquq was made possible with the support of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (formerly the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities).
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