The International Architectural Design Competition The design of the museum was undertaken by architects of international stature. It was an open invitation to architects and consultants from around the world to engage in a challenging act of creative design that stipulated a unique architecture for the long anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum. Neighboring a timeless wonder, the Giza Pyramids, the new museum is to pay homage to eternal Ancient Egyptian monuments, treasures, and history. A strong visual linkage between the new museum site and the pyramids themselves suggested architectural choices that would not waste the possibility of establishing a kind of formal dialogue. The design project aims to establish a state-of-the-art museum complex providing facilities and access to a broad range of information. The museum complex furnishes all its visitors with a uniquely enjoyable, educational and cultural experience. Architects were challenged to design a new museum spacious enough to accommodate the vast collections and allow visitors to 'navigate' along the many routes potentially offered by a modern museum. An evocative thematic and cultural sensitive approach to display would be necessarily put within the context of the exhibited artifacts. Organization of the Architectural Competition On 7th of January 2002, the Ministry of Culture initiated an international architecture competition. The competition was open to all architects or teams led by architects who have the right to exercise the profession of architect in their own country, or in their country of residence. The announcement was published in most local newspapers and journal, selected prestigious international architectural journals, circular newsletter by UIA to 160 member countries, and an internet website and e-mail circular messages. At the end of announcement and registration period, 2227 architects from 103 countries applied and registered in this competition. The Architectural Design Competition was divided into two stages. The first stage of the Competition consisted of a preliminary conceptual proposal, generally outlining and illustrating the approach to the design theme. From 7th May to 17th of August 2002 more than 1550 international architects and firms submitted their conceptual designs from about 83 countries. The jury convened from 12th of October to 17th of October 2002 and selected only 20 designs to pass on to the second stage of the competition. The second stage of the Competition consisted of a preliminary design to be built on site and respond to the requirements. From 17th December 2002 to 17th of March 2003 the selected 20 architects and firms submitted their designs on scheduled time. The jury convened from 27th of April to 2nd of May 2003, and selected only winning designs. The competition was completed on June 2nd by selecting the winning design scheme and where detailed design work and construction to follow thereafter. The Ministry of Culture should be able to contract the first prize winner for actual construction. Prizes and action following the Competition Selected competitors of the first stage having submitted a project in the second stage were paid each, a reimbursement, of US$ 10,000, excluding taxation. A total of US $ 700,000 (before taxation) was awarded to the entrants submitting prize-winning designs as follows: First prize: US $ 250,000. Second prize: US $ 150,000. Third prize: US $ 100,000. The remaining US $ 200,000 was divided among the entrants awarded a Special Mention as follows: High Honorable Mention (three designs) US $ 40,000 each Honorable Mention (four designs) US $ 20,000 each Museum’s Program and Design The functional areas and spatial sectors have been identified with reference to the various activities corresponding to the requirements of users and staff, and to fulfill the objectives of the project. The total area of the development (indoor – outdoor) is estimated to cover 424000 square meters. The area allocation of the functional areas and spatial sectors is as follows:
The new museum complex is extremely flexible and suitable for permanent and temporary exhibitions with an attendance up to 15,000 visitors per day. It contains a library, a research center, restoration laboratories, a public square with shops (particularly a specialized museum gift shop), cafes and restaurants, an open air museum and parking facilities. |