Nexus innovation Hub for machine learning strategies & digital transformation techniques

Helwan University in Zamalek, Department of Architecture of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Cairo

Project idea

Project’s scope
Creating an innovation Hub in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning, fostering young talents & ideas in the field and linking them with market giants & big companies
Concept & ideation:
The design concept is to create a smart Flexible building which can host various activities and offer pleasant spaces for learning, working & innovating.

Project description

Masterplan:
Focusing on creating a sustainable campus, the design proposal features a heavily landscaped master plan, as well as a focus on walkable, bike-friendly circulation throughout the campus.
The ambition of the project is to amplify and maximize potentials of the given location and transform it into a hub of exchange and events. Outdoor space has an inherent character of accessibility and extroversion, which allows for cross germination of ideas across disciplines. Our proposal is to saturate our site with urban furniture to create a new hub of activity and vitalize the knowledge city in the new administrative capital.
Sustainability:
The Nexus innovation Hub Design was created to foster tech education, research, and a public forum for community outreach. The project is the first of its kind in Egypt to set a new standard for sustainability–demonstrating that Living Buildings are possible in even the most challenging climates.
Roofing: we added to the design a “photovoltaic integrated canopy skin” that drapes over the buildings like a tent. The canopy skin will allow for the generation of renewable energy on the site, and regulates "indoor climate, air quality and sound. “Also, for the flat roofs of the building, we added planted areas where you can grow everything from low grasses and herbs to trees and shrubs in order to reduce the building’s cooling energy consumption and to improve the air quality.
Spaces: The ground floor of the building is dedicated to the building's commercial functions, Shops, training centre and service centre around the reception, which acts as a focal point within the complex. The building is bisected by a "green street" to offer a pleasant environment for staff to enjoy at lunchtimes and in breaks. While the upper floors foster administrative offices & technical offices bisected by various break areas, outdoor gyms and public seating areas.
Façades: The sinuous direction of the façade corresponds to the solar orientation: it maximizes north-facing opening for natural light and views, while minimizing exposure on the sunny sides. This sustainable facade system reduces the overall energy consumption of the building without any moving parts or complicated technology. The external facades are composed of brick, but the facades facing the green street are glass. These inward-facing facades step back on the upper floors, increasing the sense of openness within the green street. Above, walkways connect the upper floors of the building to enhance the connections within the office complex. The digital media façade aims to become a virtual space for exchange and communication with both visitors and locals. It is designed to promote information transmission, social interaction, and play-oriented experiences.
Plaza: Similar to components of a computer chip, the plaza is filled with diverse furniture that provide varying degrees of interactions and tasks to be carried out. Students are imagined like electrons or bits of information - they circulate and exchange to form a complex network of greater intelligence.

Technical information

Project Title: Nexus innovation hub
Project Site Location (City, Country): The new administrative capital, Egypt
Project coordinates on google maps: 30.031964992443697, 31.714076504958822
Project Function: Mixed Use (educational / administrative / commercial)