SAILAN

Soha Elgohary

Project idea

The project proposes a Visitor Center in Rashid City that aims to revitalize tourism and strengthen the connection between visitors and the city's rich cultural heritage. Rashid possesses significant historical and architectural value, containing numerous Islamic monuments and a unique waterfront setting at the meeting point of the Nile River and the Mediterranean Sea. Despite these potentials, the city remains underutilized as a tourist destination. The project seeks to create an immersive architectural experience that introduces visitors to Rashid's history, traditions, and identity while encouraging cultural exchange and sustainable tourism development. Through the integration of heritage interpretation, public spaces, and waterfront activities, the center acts as a gateway to explore and understand the city.

Project description

The project consists of a multifunctional visitor center designed to serve both tourists and the local community. The facility includes reception and orientation spaces, permanent and temporary exhibition areas, interactive heritage displays, cultural and educational spaces, multipurpose halls, administrative offices, retail and souvenir areas, food and beverage facilities, and outdoor public spaces connected to the waterfront. The design creates a sequential visitor journey that guides users through the history, culture, and traditions of Rashid while providing recreational, educational, and social experiences. The project also enhances pedestrian connectivity between the city and the waterfront, creating an active public destination that supports tourism and local economic development.

Technical information

The building is designed using a reinforced concrete structural system consisting primarily of flat slabs supported by reinforced concrete columns and cores. Long-span and cantilevered volumes are achieved through a combination of steel box trusses integrated with the reinforced concrete structural core. The project incorporates sustainable design strategies, including natural daylighting, passive shading systems, optimized building orientation, energy-efficient envelope materials, and the use of local and durable construction materials. Large glazed curtain walls maximize visual connectivity with the surrounding landscape and waterfront while ensuring thermal comfort through high-performance glazing systems. The design complies with accessibility, safety, and environmental considerations to provide an inclusive and sustainable visitor experience.