Bloom reef

Project idea

Bloom Reef is a marine science museum and research hub located in El Quseir, on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. The project is designed to protect and regenerate coral reefs—an essential source of biodiversity, food security, and tourism for the region. By integrating architecture with environmental education and scientific research, the project aims to raise awareness, promote participation, and contribute directly to coral reef restoration.The core idea revolves around transforming the traditional museum experience into a narrative and experiential journey. Visitors engage in stages of awareness, exploration, education, and hands-on participation. The architectural form and landscape are deeply integrated with the coastal environment, using sustainable materials and shading systems to ensure environmental performance and comfort.

Project description

Bloom Reef is a project that aspires to protect and regenerate coral reefs in the region by guiding visitors through an immersive awareness journey. The experience begins in the first exhibition—a dark, quiet space representing a world without coral reefs. The dim lighting and atmosphere reflect the emptiness of marine life without these vital ecosystems.
The journey then transitions into the main exhibition, where light becomes dominant, bursting in vibrant coral-inspired colors. This space highlights the beauty and ecological importance of coral reefs. Visitors learn how artificial reef units can enhance coral productivity and support marine biodiversity.
The experience concludes with a participatory zone, where individuals are invited to engage directly in reef restoration by helping to deploy artificial coral units and understanding how to preserve natural reefs.
Alongside the visitor journey, the research center plays an active role in this mission. It includes dedicated spaces for reef observation, marine monitoring, and specialized laboratories for coral farming and rehabilitation—eventually returning restored corals back to the sea.

Technical information

The architectural language of Bloom Reef is designed to reflect both its environmental goals and its narrative identity. The building utilizes a palette of locally sourced, sustainable materials, including stone blocks inspired by traditional Quseir architecture and reinforced concrete for structural stability. These materials offer thermal mass and durability while respecting the site’s coastal character.

A key feature of the project is its parametric double-skin façade, designed for both environmental performance and visual storytelling. The outer layer consists of a perforated shading screen, developed using parametric design tools to optimize solar protection based on orientation and sun angles throughout the year. This skin acts as a thermal buffer and adds aesthetic complexity to the form.

To reflect the vibrant marine identity of the coral reef, the shading elements are finished in tinted colors drawn from coral reef palettes—subtle gradients of pinks, reds, and oranges—creating an ever-changing visual experience as light passes through the façade. These colors not only enhance the sensory environment but also reinforce the educational narrative of marine biodiversity.

Together, the materiality, shading strategies, and façade detailing create a responsive architectural envelope that supports thermal comfort, energy performance, and symbolic connection to the natural reef ecosystem.