Great Epyptian Museum, Cairo, EG

The design for this new Museum for Cairo provides the space to house the treasures of the Egyptian cultural heritage. The building, situated on desert plateau, is itself a permanent monument. The expression of the material and spatial experience, combined with the craftsmanship, make it a worthy showcase for the unique Egyptian treasures. The reception of sunlight into the treasure chambers plays an entirely unique role. Colossal hollow stone columns, clad with reflective material on the inside, catch and manipulate the light and transfer it into the domed halls. The spaces between the columns are reserved for exhibition halls, stairs and services. This enables a rich and diverse coherence of spaces and routes. The floor above the dome is an open exhibition space between a forest of lighting shafts. Enormous curtains of coloured glass contain the building on both sides. From the richly shaded car park, visitors reach the entrance square, which provides access across long waterfalls or with fast shuttles to the open-air exhibitions. On this square, the visitors stand under lighting slits that moderate the strong sunlight into shafts.


Architect: Herman Zeinstra
Team: H. Zeinstra, J. Rombouts, I. Vogels, P. Cannon
Number: 0221
Status: Not build
Year: 2002 - 2002
Client: Cairo