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 | Aug 5, 2016
How to design the best dining facilities for Millennial students
Location, visibility, and adaptability are three important ideas to keep in mind when designing campus dining spaces, writes Gresham Smith and Partners’ Patrick Gilbert.
University Buildings | Jul 22, 2016
Fast-growing UC Merced will double in size by 2020
The state’s Board of Regents has approved a $1.34 billion plan that would add nearly 1.2 million sf of new space.
University Buildings | Jul 6, 2016
University housing of the future will blend life and study
Universities across the country are striving to meet the demand of on-campus housing. VOA's Steve Siegle examines what students and universities desire in campus living, and how designers can respond.
University Buildings | Jun 13, 2016
Renovated Drexel University academic building will welcome students with front porch
A large screen sets a living room vibe for the Philadelphia academic building. Plans call for 9,000 sf of common space on the inside and a new quad on the outside.
University Buildings | Jun 13, 2016
Universities infuse tech features into learning, living, and shopping spaces
Virtual learning rooms, gaming stations, and self-check-out kiosks are among the perks—and necessities—that have all become commonplace in college campus design.
Office Buildings | Jun 10, 2016
Form4 designs curved roofs for project at Stanford Research Park
Fabricated of painted recycled aluminum, the wavy roofs at the Innovation Curve campus will symbolize the R&D process and make four buildings more sustainable.
University Buildings | Jun 9, 2016
Designing for interdisciplinary communication in university buildings
Bringing people together remains the main objective when designing academic projects. SRG Design Principal Kent Duffy encourages interaction and discovery with a variety of approaches.
Building Team Awards | May 31, 2016
Gonzaga's new student center is a bustling social hub
Retail mall features, comfortable furniture, and floor-to-ceiling glass add vibrancy to the new John J. Hemmingson Center.
University Buildings | May 26, 2016
U. of Chicago approves Diller Scofidio + Renfro design for new campus building
With a two-story base and 165-foot tower, the Rubenstein Forum will have room for informal meetings, lectures, and other university events.
University Buildings | Apr 27, 2016
SmithGroupJJR’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Building named 2016 Lab of the Year
Sustainable features like chilled beams and solar screens help the University of Illinois research facility use 50% less energy than minimum building energy efficiency standards.