BETWEEN THE LINES

Idea projektu

Location: El Quseir is a historic coastal town on Egypt’s Red Sea, known for its coral-stone architecture, rich heritage, and natural beauty. Once an ancient trade hub, it now welcomes visitors to explore its marine life, local culture, and peaceful atmosphere where the past and future meet by the sea.

location problem: El Quseir has suffered from resources neglection & significant population decline; youth population estimated to decrease to 2,800 by 2030, which has led to a declination of touristic activities; el quseir has the lowest annual tourists rates of 300000 tourist, due to the ignorance of its cultural and ecological treasure in addition to huge pollution of different metals mines and oil leaks from cargo ships in red sea that lead to marine degredation

The Innovative Coastal Destination project envisions an immersive Red Sea experience through a resilient architectural intervention that harmonises with its marine surroundings. Drawing inspiration from the calm, fluid motion of the Red Sea’s waves, the design unfolds across multi-level platforms that respond to the site's ecological dynamics. The architecture becomes a vessel for conservation, education, and exploration, seamlessly integrated into the coastal landscape.

Between the Lines: A sustainable aquarium that reimagines the relationship between architecture and marine life. The project adopts an environmentally resilient design approach, featuring submerged galleries, interactive conservation exhibits, and an advanced AOP (Advanced Oxidation Process) water treatment system. Each spatial experience is carefully curated to deepen public understanding and foster an emotional connection to the Red Sea’s fragile ecosystems.

Core Issue: Marine Degradation in El Quseir. Coastal zones in the Red Sea face increasing threats from oil spills, heavy metal contamination, and urban runoff. These pollutants endanger coral reefs, marine biodiversity, and human communities. This project responds with innovative, context-sensitive architectural strategies aimed at mitigating environmental damage, promoting ecological awareness, and restoring the integrity of the coastal environment.

Popis projektu

The journey begins through a dramatic subterranean entrance—an immersive tunnel that leads into an underwater gallery showcasing aquatic life and marine biodiversity. The project is organised into four integrated zones, each serving a distinct function within a cohesive narrative of exploration, education, and environmental innovation.
Zone 1: Exhibition Gallery
A two-level exhibition space that displays living aquatic species alongside fossilised marine life, offering a layered experience that bridges past and present ecosystems.
Zone 2: Educational & Engagement Hub
A dynamic zone featuring an information centre, library, and interactive workshops focused on coral cultivation and advanced electrochemical oxidation techniques, designed to promote hands-on learning and sustainable practices.
Zone 3: Research & Water Treatment Facility
A two-floor research complex dedicated to marine science and water purification. This zone supports ongoing studies and practical applications of microbial fuel cells and eco-restorative technologies.
Zone 4: Recreational & Dining Space
A tranquil restaurant and lounge area offering panoramic views of the surrounding water, blending leisure with awareness of the marine environment.
The site is sculpted along a descending topography, starting from a +8m elevation and gradually transitioning through +6m, +4m, +2m, and finally to sea level (0m). This terraced contour allows for a seamless spatial flow while enhancing the architectural experience and reinforcing the project's connection to the land and sea.

SOLUTION FOR WATER TREATMENT
Artificial Reef Purifier
A biomimetic coral system designed to restore and protect marine ecosystems by purifying polluted seawater while simultaneously fostering biodiversity. Inspired by natural reef formations, this system is constructed using advanced 3D printing techniques with a robotic arm. The artificial reefs are printed from compressed limestone filament, produced by crushing natural limestone and reforming it into printable material, chosen for its compatibility with marine ecosystems and structural durability.
UV-A rays penetrate the water surface, activating an electrochemical process through embedded carbon-forged electrodes within the reef structures. These electrodes initiate electrocoagulation and oxidation, breaking down harmful pollutants such as oil residues and heavy metals then it is sucked using suction tubes connected to the corals and research facility and water treatment to use metal in forming of gifts and souvineer for the visitors to make them remember el qusier. The system operates entirely on renewable energy, ensuring a low environmental footprint and making it viable for large-scale deployment across various Red Sea coastal zones.
This adaptive, scalable intervention merges ecological function with architectural innovation, offering a sustainable solution that heals marine environments while enhancing underwater exploration and education.

Technické informace

The construction of the building is made from a rib structure from one contour to the other in form of organic lines that mimick the coral lines, made from a steel structure, and covered by a PTFE membrane, and between the ribs is a highly insulated PTFE membrane with a special print that allows light to pass. Ensure closure. The structure is supported by an opposite grid of steel space truss that supports the lines (rib structure).

Dokumentace

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