1st prize : Archtriumph international competition
Herodotus stated that “without the Nile, there is no Egypt, […]. Egypt is the Gift of the Nile […]” We have chosen Water as a symbolic guide for the whole project, aiming to evoke the deepest roots of Egyptian culture and imagine the building itself as an element generated by the river’s life. The vital importance of the river Nile has been transferred and translated into all the main design elements, from an integrated attraction of the landscape or part of a pleasant public space close to the entrances, to a constant flowing detail all over and inside the building to support all the technical cooling systems. The project aims to inspire and express a strong relationship with the natural environment through the use of water which is physically taken and given back to the Nile via a process of closed internal loops. The interior of the library is designed to be a unique and meaningful experience for every visitor. It has been designed without any visual barriers to allow the perception of the whole building from any point and level, reflecting the ancient Egypt concept of cities without defensive walls. The verticality of the design is a clear reference to The City of a Thousand Minarets, where the two towers with their book shelving systems become a magnet for visitors, while the six bridges are a place to rest and contemplate the Egyptian culture in all its glory. Moreover all these architectural elements are physically linked by “the digital library”, a spiral path along the perforated shell that starts from the ancient books and maps’ exposition underground and leads up to the top level auditorium.
