Interactive Historical Narrative Museum Project

Alexandria University - Faculty of Fine Arts

Project idea

An interactive historical narrative museum that connects visitors with collective memory through an immersive spatial experience, integrating heritage storytelling within the built form inspired by local geological and cultural context.

Project description

The project is a museum designed to narrate historical stories interactively. Located in a site with natural geological formations in the Eastern region near Matrouh, the design concept is based on sada (echo) and interaction, with a structural system using steel frames and a bulk active structural system with retaining walls to maintain the excavated hillside and ground surfaces. The form development responds to the terrain and local context, with exhibition halls, a multi-purpose hall, group therapy and light theater, storage rooms, a library, training corridor, administrative areas, and service facilities. The design employs environmental strategies including cross ventilation using fresh air while courtyards act as thermal chimneys, and water features for evaporative cooling. Materials used include aged plaster with partial erosion and surface peeling to reflect historical layering and the passage of time, along with curtain walls and red brick masonry.

Technical information

Ground floor plan at 1/200 scale, first floor at 1/500, basement floor at 1/500. Sections A-A and B-B at 1/200 scale. North and South elevations at 1/200 scale. Site view at 1/750. Total site area is 35,000 m². Structure system includes steel frame and bulk active structural system with retaining walls. Environmental analysis addresses ventilation, airflow, and evaporative cooling through water features. Zoning includes exhibition zones, rest areas, learning areas, and service areas.