PHYTOLIXIR

Project idea

PHYTOLIXIR is a hybrid multifunctional industrial complex located in Gharb Suhail, Aswan, that aims to revitalize the region’s traditional floral plant economy through architecture that merges production, cultivation, and public engagement. Rooted in the historical and environmental context of Aswan — once renowned for its rich aromatic and medicinal flora — the project responds to the loss of agricultural knowledge and local botanical practices due to rapid urbanization and tourism-driven development.

Project description

The project is sited in Gharb Suhail, a village known for its proximity to the Nile and cultural significance. At the heart of the facility is a continuous ramp that slices through the building mass, dividing it into two volumes and connecting all levels—from ground-floor industrial zones to first-floor exhibitions and a rooftop market. This ramp serves as both a functional spine and an experiential journey, guiding visitors through the full cycle of floral transformation—from cultivation to distillation to final product.

The scope of the intervention includes:

-Vertical botanical farming towers using palm-fiber substrate as a soil alternative

-Processing units for boiling, drying, and distilling local plants into essential oils and raw materials

-Public exhibition spaces that use AR technology to educate visitors about floral heritage and uses

-A rooftop market for selling plant-based products, perfumes, and floral crafts

-An architectural envelope made of compressed palm waste panels that provide passive insulation and shading

-Cylindrical wind catchers and atria integrated into the building massing to enhance natural ventilation and reduce cooling loads

By reconnecting people with local flora through education, commerce, and production, PHYTOLIXIR serves as a new model for regenerative design, circular economies, and the revival of ecological knowledge.

Technical information

Location: Gharb Suhail, Aswan, Egypt
Project Type: Hybrid Multifunctional Industrial Complex
Site Area: Approx. 9,000 m²
Built-Up Area: Approx. 4,200 m²

-Structural System:

Exposed steel space truss systems for large spans (markets & expo)

Tubular steel support for vertical farming modules

-Envelope System:

Modular façade panels made from compressed palm fiber waste

Double-skin cladding with ventilated air gap

-Sustainability Features:

Cylindrical wind catchers for passive cooling and air circulation

Multi-story atria to enhance natural ventilation through stack effect

Green roofs with thermal mass for rooftop farming and insulation

Vertical farming systems using biodegradable palm-fiber substrate

Low-energy lighting and AR-powered educational interfaces

-Program Components:

Industrial processing zone (boiling, drying, distillation, storage)

Vertical farming towers

Floral exhibitions (AR-enabled)

Rooftop market with product display and community space

Retail & administration

Ramp-based circulation spine connecting all levels