Rialto Center: Film School and Cinema

Project idea

Architecture and film, two types of arts combine together to tell a story with a unique experience. They both document history and influence the viewer for a better city image.

Alexandria has been experiencing a loss of its cultural heritage, which is diminishing the city's unique identity. Alexandria has a rich cinematic history, influenced generations of filmmakers, was as a vital center for film in the Arab world ,and many don't know that cinema in Egypt started in Alexandria ,yet the quality of movies in has dropped significantly. Also, the continuous destruction of historic buildings has raised concerns in the community, leading to efforts to protect what remains. The center advocates for preserving, safeguarding, highlight ,and revitalizing cultural intangible heritage by repurposing old structures (Adaptive Reuse).

“Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Alexandria,"
The cinema has become seen as a human heritage, not only a part of the history of human creative art.

Project description

To raise awareness about the importance of Alexandria's cinematic intangible heritage as a vital component of Egypt's cultural identity.

1-Public awareness and engagement:
Showcase a unique opportunity for both visitors and professionals to indulge in the unparalleled experience of viewing films that have garnered prestigious awards, yet remain elusive in mainstream distribution channels.

2-Bridging the gap:
Visitors are invited to explore and walk through the intangible heritage of Alexandria through various interactive forms.

3-Supporting the talents:
In order to maintain both the past and the present, a system is set for the knowledge to be carried on through workshops and talks for the talented people.

4-Restoration and preservation:
To document and archive oral histories, anecdotes, and memories related to Alexandria's cinematic traditions before they are lost.

Technical information

-Rialto Cinema built in the 1930s, the movie theatre enchanted the audience with films of the golden cinema era during a time when people dressed up in their evening gowns and enjoyed the glamour and magic of cinema.
-Its unique Art Deco style made it an exemplary architectural cinema.
-Was owned by a Greek resident of Alexandria who sold it to a real estate developer, who stated he would renovate and continue to operate the cinema. However, 90% of it was demolished to make way for a shopping Centre around 2013 that was never completed and now left the remaining undemolished 10% without use.

Philosophy:
1-Respecting and emphasize the remaining walls of the demolished structure and using it as Architecture Palimpsest is Art Deco style. Where the interactive exhibition takes place.

2-Entrance Definition: Entrance is in the same place as the original Rialto Cinema entrance where it connects both masses together. Public entrance from the main street and the private entrance from the secondary street. With abstraction of Art Deco style in its elevation.

3-Public mass contains the exhibition, cinemas, library, and souvenir shop. It is in the same place where the old cinema was which emphasizes the idea of revivalism.

4-Private mass contains the filmmaking school and restoration which acts as a extension to the public mass.

(by doing so we reflect now yet linking the past)

Elevation Design: New contemporary design with respect to the historical fabric surrounding context.

The light ,minimalist material, and design is to respect the surrounding context without new identity to the surrounding.

Respecting the surrounding module and datum

Polycarbonate material is used all over the building to seamlessly merge all masses together into one and it is also used as an environmental treatment.