Nawaa

Shorouk Academy

Project idea

The idea of this project is to create a steam school that connects heritage and innovation, allowing students to engage deeply with the cultural identity of Al-Tor. “Nawaa” acts as a nucleus of knowledge, where modern educational spaces are interwoven with Bedouin architectural elements and storytelling pathways. The design aims to celebrate the past while preparing students to build sustainable futures rooted in cultural understanding.

Project description

The project consists of a central educational complex featuring classrooms, interactive heritage labs, dormitories, exhibition spaces, and shaded courtyards. Inspired by the lens of a telescope, the school's central atrium anchors a radial layout that symbolically and physically links students to the surrounding landscape and to Jabal Al-Tor. The experience is enriched by a “heritage pathway” that runs throughout the school, blending digital storytelling with traditional architecture to immerse users in Sinai’s identity.

Technical information

The construction uses local materials such as limestone, recycled glass, and wood to ensure sustainability and harmony with the desert environment. The building employs passive cooling strategies including proper orientation, mashrabiya screens, shading elements, and natural ventilation. The school’s layout also incorporates green roofs, wind corridors, and energy-efficient systems adapted to the harsh climate of Sinai, creating a low-impact and culturally resonant educational space.

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