MIYAWAKEYA, An Urban Lung in the Heart of Al Azbakeya

Project idea

Centered on the revolutionary Miyawaki Forest Method, this project introduces a vital urban lung to AL Azbakeya in Cairo, by architecturally mirroring Al Azbakeya Garden in front of it. Built in a point of high pollution due to high traffic, the buildings comes as a filter for the air, and as a contrasting vista to provide a green spot in the context. The project's core are three Miyawaki Forests which act as seeds for the building form, and the heart of this new urban lung. The seeds planted into the ground create a ripple effect that forms the dynamic wave form of the building.

Project description

The project consists of Public use space in the ground and first floors, and residential apartments in the upper floors, with a mix of studio apartments, 2 bedroom apartments, and duplex. The user experience on the inside is carefully designed so that through any point in the building, at least one of the Miyawaki Forests would be visible for the users.

Technical information

The building is constructed using a system of steel frames that supports the floor slabs, and on top of it a shell structure made from space trusses, that rest on concrete pillars, which then transforms the load from the shell to the pillars to the ground. The shell is covered with system panels of GFRC panels with a finish of PV cells, and glazing.