Technopolis

Arab academy for science and technology

Project idea

Technopolis is designed to be a timeless structure that dynamically evolves with the rapid transformations driven by AI and the burgeoning startup industry. This project embraces current advancements while anticipating future challenges such as the potential obsolescence of traditional office spaces due to remote work, the need to minimize carbon footprints, the rise of virtual spaces and meetings, and the possibility of AI replacing human roles. By incorporating a modular prefabricated system, the building ensures flexibility and sustainability, allowing for seamless adaptation to these evolving demands. Additionally, the center aims to enrich the cultural hub of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, providing a vibrant space for community engagement and technological exploration, while laying the groundwork for Alexandria's development as a smart city.

Project description

The AI Technology and Business Center in Alexandria, Egypt, is an innovative architectural project strategically located adjacent to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, aiming to transform the city into a smart urban hub. This center addresses the challenges posed by AI on business and startup industries through a modular prefabricated system that allows for seamless expansion, relocation, or reduction, ensuring adaptability and sustainability. The facility includes innovation hubs, test labs, robot cloning rooms, and public interaction spaces, creating a vibrant ecosystem for AI enthusiasts, learners, innovators, investors, employees, startups, and corporations. By connecting with the Bibliotheca’s plaza, it forms a unified public space for tech events and summits, fostering community engagement and cultural exchange. This project acts as a catalyst for economic growth, educational advancement, and urban revitalization, positioning Alexandria as a beacon of technological innovation and smart city development.

Technical information

Technopolis comprises three main parts: the public plaza, the podium with its public and private zones, and the plug-in modular office tower cores. Additionally, the project includes underground parking and a data center operating with a Seawater Air Conditioning (SWAC) system. The two tower cores feature a fixed grid of 4.8m x 4.8m steel structure with beams and bracing, into which prefabricated modules can be plugged. These modules are designed for easy replacement, maintenance, or removal, ensuring long-term adaptability. The podium follows the same square structural grid, providing a cohesive and flexible framework for both public and private spaces within the building.