In New Cairo, Egypt, The American University in Cairo (AUC) has broken ground on a roughly 270,000-sf expansion of its campus. The project encompasses two new buildings intended to enhance the physical campus and support AUC’s mission to provide top-tier education and research.
Designed by DLR Group, the AUC campus expansion project includes sustainable, state-of-the-art elements while preserving the character of the New Cairo campus.
The 146,970-sf Extended Education Hub offers classrooms, executive education areas, general spaces, and essential basement support spaces, in addition to rooftop gardens and a 450-seat auditorium. Featuring courtyards and landscaped pathways, the design aims to promote an interactive learning community, drawing inspiration from street bazaars and narrow alleys that open to larger, unexpected social spaces in Cairo.
The Extended Education Hub’s natural elements include a tranquil reflecting pool that provides evaporative cooling. Outside, trellises and canopies create designated areas for outdoor classrooms, gatherings, and leisure.
The 123,795-sf NextGen Student Living and Learning Spaces emphasize holistic student wellness and community building. It enables student connections via cafes, co-working spaces, prayer rooms, music rooms, and spacious living areas. Accommodating 300 beds, the project also features kitchens where students can cook and interact, as well as a garden-level basement. The residential interiors’ neutral palette allows students to express their personal identity through their furnishings, rugs, and art.
“Our design for two new buildings within the expanded AUC campus footprint fosters curiosity and innovative thinking within a cross-cultural environment,” Stu Rothenberger, DLR Group senior principal and global higher education leader, said in a statement. “Integrating sustainable design principles and supporting a stimulating learning environment that extends beyond the four walls of the classroom, this project will have a significant impact on the region and continue AUC’s inspiring legacy of elevating higher education in the world.”
Construction of the two university buildings is slated for completion by the end of 2026.
On the Building Team:
Owner: The American University in Cairo
Design architect: DLR Group
Architect of record, MEP engineer, and structural engineer: EHAF Consulting Engineers
Related Stories
University Buildings | Nov 2, 2022
New Univ. of Calif. Riverside business school building will support hybrid learning
A design-build partnership of Moore Ruble Yudell and McCarthy Building Companies will collaborate on a new business school building at the University of California at Riverside.
School Construction | Oct 31, 2022
Claremont McKenna College science center will foster integrated disciplinary research
The design of the Robert Day Sciences Center at Claremont McKenna College will support “a powerful, multi-disciplinary, computational approach to the grand socio-scientific challenges and opportunities of our time—gene, brain, and climate,” says Hiram E. Chodosh, college president.
University Buildings | Oct 27, 2022
The Collaboratory Building will expand the University of Florida’s School of Design, Construction, and Planning
Design firm Brooks + Scarpa recently broke ground on a new addition to the University of Florida’s School of Design, Construction, and Planning (DCP).
Higher Education | Oct 24, 2022
Wellesley College science complex modernizes facility while preserving architectural heritage
A recently completed expansion and renovation of Wellesley College’s science complex yielded a modernized structure for 21st century STEM education while preserving important historical features.
BAS and Security | Oct 19, 2022
The biggest cybersecurity threats in commercial real estate, and how to mitigate them
Coleman Wolf, Senior Security Systems Consultant with global engineering firm ESD, outlines the top-three cybersecurity threats to commercial and institutional building owners and property managers, and offers advice on how to deter and defend against hackers.
University Buildings | Oct 18, 2022
A carbon-neutral-ready university campus opens in Hong Kong
In early September, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) officially opened its new, KPF-designed campus in Nansha, Guangzhou (GZ).
University Buildings | Oct 7, 2022
Auburn’s new culinary center provides real-world education
The six-story building integrates academic and revenue-generating elements.
| Sep 14, 2022
Indian tribe’s new educational campus supports culturally appropriate education
The Kenaitze Indian Tribe recently opened the Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Campus (Kenai River People’s Learning Place), a new education center in Kenai, Alaska.
University Buildings | Sep 9, 2022
Alan Schlossberg, AIA, LEED AP, joins DesignGroup’s Pittsburgh studio as Regional Practice Leader
Alan Schlossberg, AIA, LEED AP, has joined DesignGroup as a principal of the firm and regional practice leader.
| Sep 2, 2022
New UMass Medical School building enables expanded medical class sizes, research labs
A new nine-story, 350,000 sf biomedical research and education facility under construction at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in Worcester, Mass., will accommodate larger class sizes and extensive lab space.
