The American University in Cairo launches a 270,000-sf expansion of its campus in New Cairo, Egypt

The Extended Education Hub offers classrooms and a 450-seat auditorium, while the NextGen Student Living and Learning Spaces provide 300 beds plus cafes, co-working spaces, music rooms, and other areas for student wellness and community building.

By Novid Parsi, Contributing Editor | June 28, 2024

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