Competition Brief

The process of preparing the conditions and requirements for this museum project is quite elaborate and exhaustive.  In 1992 President Hosny Mubarak issued a presidential decree to allocate a suitable and large area of land for the museum complex, thus marking the time for this national project.  Egyptian Minister of Culture Farouk Hosny initiated the idea of building the largest museum in the world adequate enough to house the national collection of ancient Egyptian monuments and treasures.

Scholars, experts, and professionals from Egypt and from different countries collaborated together in various task forces in order to complete a well-rounded study for the implementation of the museum. They carefully examined all facets of the project, outlining action plans for the display of collections and their inventory. The programmatic and functional requirements were elaborated upon in such a manner that reflects a well-articulated set of strategic objectives and goals.  The deliberations of these task forces were culminated in the production of an in-depth feasibility study. 

For the last two years, in cooperation with UNESCO and UIA, experts and professionals prepared the competition brief and documents.  The results were quite impressive.  It suffices to indicate that the brief portrays a clear and precise idea, conveyed to all professionals of how this museum is meant to be.  Moreover, for any professional who has not visited Egypt, the documentation in the brief, covers all technical aspects essential to design the project.

The competition brief consists of 283 pages of high quality color, a hard cover and bookcase.  It is designed in such a manner that allows architects to start thinking about their design concepts from the day they study this brief.  It contains information regarding the following:

  • Preface: objectives, philosophy, third millennium approach.
  • General Context: historical background, General information, site and location.
  • Display of Collection: Itinerary plans, Chronological routs, Hyper-textual Routs, Visits Paths, Themes of display.
  • Site and Environment: the urban context, transport aspects, access system, planning aspects, environmental data (rain, wind, sun, dunes, etc.)
  • Muse logical Aspects: functions of all sections, 21st century concept, draft flow diagram, information system, special needs, personnel and administration.
  • Rules of the Competition, general provision, 1st stage, 2nd stage, prizes, timetable.
  • Technical Requirements, spatial and functional model, activities and relationships, floor area required, detailed floor areas, architectural requirements, special technical requirements, regulations and standards.
  • Collection Samples: thematic documentation.
  • Chronological Table of Ancient Egypt.
  • Complementary to this brief, competitors will receive a CD-Rom (PC and MAC platforms), which contains:

Images of the site (tiff format)

3D model (tiff format)

Maps of the site (dwg and dxf format – AutoCad R.14.  The background image is in tiff format)

Rules of the competition (pdf format)

 

 

Since the announcement of competition worldwide, we have received many requests from architects asking to receive the competition brief, or to just have a look at it.  In order to give a fair chance and equal time to proceed with the competition to all competitors from around the world, the UIA has requested a period of 90 days for registration and for transfer of fees to the bank.  After the 90 days (clearly specified in the announcement as April 7, 2002) all correctly registered participants will receive the brief and documents by express mail or courier to their exact address.  Accordingly, we cannot disclose information from the brief to anyone who may get an early start over others.

Finally, we are confidant that architects from around the world, who decide to join in this worldwide challenge, will utilize the best of their abilities to bring into realization a bold, imaginative and creative design concept that fits to stand by the Great Pyramids of Giza.

 

With best of luck to all competitors.