auc was originally established in tahrir square in downtown cairo. the 7.8-acre tahrir square campus was developed around the khairy pasha palace. built in the neo-mamluk style, the palace inspired an architectural style that has been replicated throughout cairo. ewart hall was established in 1928, named for william dana ewart, the father of an american visitor to the campus, who made a gift of $100,000 towards the cost of construction on the condition that she remain anonymous. the structure was designed by a. st. john diament, abutting the south side of the palace. the central portion of the building houses an auditorium large enough to seat 1,200, as well as classrooms, offices and exhibition galleries. the school's continued growth required additional space, and in 1932, a new building was dedicated to house the school of oriental studies. east of ewart hall, the building featured oriental hall, an auditorium and reception room built and decorated in an adaptation of traditional styles, yet responsive to the architectural style of its own time.