ReefGenesis

Cairo University, Faculty of Engineering Architecture Department.

Project idea

This project is located in the city of Quseir where there are hundreds of coral species , one of the cleanest waters on earth, stones and minerals everywhere. Despite being rich in natural resources the city is being deserted due to the severe pollutants in the environment, the city of Quseir used to be one of the leading exporters of phosphate, the lack of sustainable practices led to the toxic byproducts polluting the soil ruining its fertility and cohesion, the water and bleaching over 50% of the corals, as well as the air and giving respiratory problems to the more vulnerable of the locals. the stagnation of the main economic base (coral tourism) caused a stagnation in the job market as well, making the city uninhabitable.

Project description

The project “Reef genesis” is a marine biomimic innovation & community resilience center. This project aims to be a beacon of hope and resilience against contamination and climate change through adaptive resilience.
The center aims to address these issues by designing a biomimic project using nature and local elements in order to heal the city, as well as a community conservation hub in order to raise awareness to reduce future contamination from unsustainable practices to revive the economic base (coral tourism), and improve quality of life.
By incorporating biomimic techniques inspired from termite mounds to reduce energy, electric and carbon consumption, as well as bioremediation ones through the usage of fungi and native plants to leech heavy metal contaminants from surroundings, this research center aspires to revive the city.
As the project is centered on a mountainous terrain, the project is divided into 3 levels, with each level proposing a solution to each of the problems. Each level discusses the relevant problem on both the architectural and the urban level and links both for a complete experience to the users. Each level denotes a different zone and different circulation, as well as a different level of access through the space. The first level introduces the main entrance to the project as well as discuss soil bioremediation through: 1.an exhibition with interactive fungi chambers, 2.continued outdoor garden of local plants and trees capable of contaminant-leeching. This level is an open public space.
the second level discusses water bioremediation, through: 1. an underground level of the exhibition for coral displays and holograms as well as a linked outdoor coral aquarium showcasing the research center's effort in artificially raising modified corals. 2. a controlled access to some parts of the research center to allow for community engagement. This level is semi-open to the public.
The third and lowest level discusses air bioremediation, this level is closed to the public via the terrain, and has a separate side entrance for the researchers. This level manufactures the "breathing towers" through the recycling of bleached corals and metal-rich fungi. The fungi collects the metals from the water via the usage of a detachable unit of the research center with nets.

Technical information

The construction of the building depended mainly on concrete to provide thermal stability, the interior structure is waffle slab structure, and the exterior is space truss structure with reinforced concrete cladding. the lightweight framework is made of treated wood to allow for mycelium roots to grow. the usage of plants and fungi on the grid, allows it to grow in the direction with the most sun glare, providing an added layer of thermal insulation.
The moss towers are made of coral stone that is locally made within the project from recycling bleach corals, which also frees up space for new coral growth.