1. ARCHITECTURAL PROPOSAL

The monumental grandeur of the ancient land of Egypt is one of the world’s unique treasures. The Grand Egyptian Museum has a central role to play, both in reflecting that grandeur ? and in embodying it, in a manner and on a scale never seen before. It reaches beyond history, beyond time, claiming a place besides the pyramids for our modern age. It personifies the coming together of our global civilization to celebrate the greatness of ancient Egypt with our 21st century insights and technologies. Here we explore the millennia of human history, rejoice in humanity’s common inheritance and our undying future.
The museum comprises two very deep blue monoliths reflecting the cosmos and its mysteries. Passive, yet impossible to ignore, they seem to draw in energy from the sun and the surrounding desert, a kind of black hole afloat in the silent landscape, barely even making contact with the site. We leave to time and the planet the care of this land’s slow metamorphosis.
The pattern around the facade of the bigger monolith represents the DNA sequence of Ramses II and the one on the smaller monolith that of Tutankhamon.
In fact, in addition to their symbolic value, the roof and facade panels of the two monoliths have the vital practical function of precisely utilizing and controlling natural light.
These timeless buildings are visually connected to the Grand Pyramids of Giza and the whole land of ancient Egypt through a sea of sand. They abide by the same orientation to the cardinal directions in their integration into the site.

1.1. Structural Features
To offer a radical solution to the problem of sand, GEM has a “floating structure”. This makes a telling contrast with the static structure of the pyramids. Levitating above the sea of sand, the museum is thus protected from its ravages. Eternal images of elemental forces. With minimum maintenance, the sand-proof structure and facade (glass = sand) are completely impervious even to violent sand attacks.
The structure is unique in the world.
The monoliths will stand solid above the flow of the desert, with their fireproof precast concrete structures and carbon fiber resin/stainless steel joinery linking each of the PC concrete elements. The two main pillars of each monolith stand on a concrete foundation.
Internally the monoliths are also of precast concrete based on a ‘spine and ribs’ structure, in complete contrast with the exterior but providing the strength to create such pure forms on top of only two pillars. The monoliths have abundant extra space allowing for extension of all zones according to future requirements.
For each monolith three tunnels with a diameter of about 15m are dug with an abrasive shield drill as used in subway construction, starting from the northern slope of the hill. The tunnels are then interconnected to form the underground space. This technology obviates the need for heavy and costly earth works.

1.2. Mechanical & High/Low Voltage Features
Since Giza has virtually no rain throughout the year, the monoliths are ideally situated to utilize solar power. Millions of solar cells are integrated into the roof and facades. These panels generate a large quantity of energy, perhaps sufficient to supply all of GEM's needs with the use of underground storage batteries. All exhibition items are moved through huge elevators between the monoliths and the underground storage. These also operate on solar electricity.
A/C and ventilation systems in the bellies of the monoliths work through a double skin structure drawing natural air convection. The concept is inspired by ages-old Egyptian techniques adapted to this specific climate. Underground, natural ventilation occurs between the pillars and the service tunnel.

2. THE CULTURAL MESSAGE
The museum will be home to more than 100,000 superb artifacts of Egyptian antiquity, a sacred container cradling a priceless cultural inheritance.
The museum itself is designed as a tribute to the enduring genius of the great builders of Ancient Egypt, whose influence continues to inspire today’s architects and engineers.
Here will be a gathering place for people from all over the planet: a unique location where the cultures and concepts of the whole world can meet in creative harmony.
For many, the very word "Egypt" has its own special magic, redolent of adventure and ancient wisdom. The museum's role encompasses an obligation to respond to the craving for adventure and knowledge its visitors will bring.
In the language of millennia, the desert represents a vast sea.
GEM will stand on a mighty sea of sand.
An Architecture of the ages.

3. A RICH CHOICE OF DISPLAY ITINERARIES
Modular/Thematic/Dynamic/Networking/Symbolic/ Flexible/ Conversational
Seen from the ring road, two monoliths soar above the hill: they are The Grand Egyptian Museum. The visitor is then directed towards the museum access grounds.

3.1. The Nile Park
The Nile Park, on the flattest and lowest part of the site is set parallel to the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road. The water flow in the park parallels the traffic flow outside. After parking your car or leaving the bus in a green zone between the water and the road, under the shadow of palm trees and sun dried brick walls angled geometrically "Egyptian style", this is where you discover the life of the Nile. Recreating the atmosphere of the river in times past, the park introduces its unique natural features and mystical cycles.

3.2. The Equipped Park
At the west of the Nile Park, this Park is a place for relaxation and communication for residents and visitors alike. It offers cafes, restaurants, commercial arcades, etc.
From this area you start the ascent to the museum by walking toward the base of the hill, in the shadow of the monoliths.

1.1. The Monoliths

BENEATH THE GROUND
After traversing a cutting in the hill along a path intermittently in light and shadow, the visitor penetrates to the sanctuary - an entrance hall top-lit by an inverted glass cone filling up with sand blown in by the desert wind, which drips to the ground right at his feet, like an hourglass marking the passage of time. This is a solemn moment.
Images and information are conveyed to visitors via the cone through a system of millions of cells built onto the glass surface. From this point all areas can be accessed fast and easily. Information, General Services and Commercial areas are organized around it on three levels. From here, visitors are led towards the two monoliths through huge elevator shafts wafting them swiftly up to the permanent exhibition/special exhibition/conservation area/administrative and commercial areas on the eastern shaft and the temporary exhibition/scientific research and training area/recreation area on the western shaft. Before ascending to the monoliths, you walk through the huge underground Archeological Main Storage areas, with a direct view of the system for preparing, circulating and distributing display items. The south areas of both underground tunnels house all machine rooms, management, fire and security system facilities.

THE MAJOR MONOLITH
The central 'time tunnel' (Time Axis Space), itself a vital component of the exhibition layout, organizes the flow of visitors to different time zones. Visitors arrive from the elevator shaft at the middle of the 450m tunnel with a view to the other end. They are directed along a slope towards the beginning of the exhibition. From this point on they can move freely throughout the exhibition spaces. The time travel begins. Each time zone has its own holographic exhibition space (showing the collections of other museums around the world -- a truly global concept).

The five theme zones (each of which affords ample redundant space to allow exhibits to be freely rearranged or supplemented) run alongside the central ‘time tunnel’, maintaining a coherent unity of theme throughout the exhibition area and giving visitors unparalleled liberty to progress chronologically or according to individual interest. They are organically linked throughout the length of the monolith by elevators, escalators, stairs, slopes and bridges. This access system supports the concept of the GEM as a hyper-textual arena.
The Conservation Area extends along the length of the Time Axis Space, maintaining a visual connection throughout the visitor's itinerary.
All exhibits are displayed respectfully, in a suitable context rather than en masse. Consequently, even the Permanent Exhibition Area will see a gradual circulation of many of the display items. Five huge elevators are provided to facilitate the vertical transportation this involves.

Permanent Exhibition Area : levels 2, 3 & 4 full length except south ends
Conservation Area : level 1 full length east except south end
Special Exhibition Area: level 1 half length west except south end
Office Area : level 1 half length west except south end
Relaxation Area: levels 1, 2, 3 & 4.south ends.

THE MINOR MONOLITH
The Temporary Exhibition Area is a highly flexible space at the south end on levels 1 and 2. It can be connected directly to the Permanent Exhibition Area through access and communication tubes depending on the program. It can be accessed directly from the northern elevator shaft and through the east and west structural corridors of the monolith. The Scientific Research and Training Area is fully independent and detached from the Temporary Museum. This is an area local residents can also use freely. The Conference Hall has a very flexible movable floor system allowing different layouts. The Recreation Area on the third floor also has a direct connection to the Major Monolith.
Temporary Exhibitions: levels 1 and 2 south
Scientific Research and Training Area: levels 1' and 2' north
Recreation Area: level 3' north

Security, Safety, Crime Prevention, Anti-Terrorist Planning:
Both monoliths and the underground areas are securized and linked directly to the ground level with emergency stairs at regulatory intervals.

1.2. The Open Air Exhibition Area
This extends the area of the Permanent Exhibition. Situated to the east of the Major Monolith, it is linked with it by many elevators at different time zone sectors.

3.5. The Theme Park
On the top of the hill, another natural basin is filled with water creating a pond connected to the south of the main building. A rich green theme park like an oasis is created there. This is where the visitors of the Permanent Exhibition and Temporary Exhibition exit, after having made use of restaurants, cafes, terraces and commercial facilities with a view to the pyramids situated at the southernmost end of the Major Monolith. (Alternatively they can exit through the northern elevator shafts and the underground entrance hall).

3.6. The Dunal Park
This park is also on the way back after exiting the monoliths, down a very gentle slope towards the Nile Park. The landscaping makes use of existing geographical features. Outdoor exhibitions can be arranged with large-sized exhibits sometimes half buried in the sand, just as Napoleon’s scientists discovered them two centuries ago. A place to inspire visitor’s spirit of discovery and adventure.

3.7. Service Access
The main service road to the monoliths is a tunnel connecting the basement to the road on the south west. Servicing of the Park zones is done through camouflaged access roads.