AquaNexus

Project idea

The idea of this project stems from the urgent issue of water scarcity in Al Quseir, a coastal city that faces limited access to fresh water. The project was inspired by the need to develop sustainable water solutions and harness the potential of the blue economy in the region. It addresses the necessity to create a new space where scientists, engineers, and the public can come together to explore innovative water desalination and hydropower technologies. The center also raises awareness about marine conservation and promotes circular resource use, including brine reuse through algae farming.

Project description

This project consists of the following parts. The main area is the Research and Innovation Hub, which includes laboratories dedicated to water desalination, hydropower generation, and algae cultivation. Additional components of the center include public exhibition galleries, interactive VR experiences about marine ecosystems and water technologies, administration offices, a production unit for coral reef capsules and algae-based products, outdoor experimental spaces, and an educational promenade.

Technical information

The structure of the building combines a system of cross-bracing trusses on steel pipes, tension cables, and reinforced concrete flat slabs to create open, flexible interior spaces while ensuring structural stability and resilience against coastal winds.

The façade is composed of double-glazed high-performance glass panels and wooden shading louvers, designed to maximize natural daylight penetration while minimizing solar heat gain and controlling interior temperatures.

In addition, the building integrates an innovative humid-air water collection system using Raschel mesh, which captures moisture from the air to supplement the building’s water supply.

Water technologies within the center include reverse osmosis desalination units, supported by hydropower turbines that recover energy from the brine flow, enhancing overall system efficiency. The brine output is repurposed through photobioreactors and open raceway ponds to cultivate algae, which serve multiple purposes: research, bio-product development, and educational displays for public awareness.