Rukam Cultural Museum

Cairo University, Faculty of Engineering Architecture Department.

Project idea

Al Alamein, a city on Egypt's northern coast, was known as an empty land between the southern desert of egypt and the Mediterranean sea with badwian arabs living across the city having their own culture and traditions which were and still neglected to this day and getting more worn out by time because it doesn’t cope with the new modern traditions of egypt, espicially that the city is now known for it’s modernization and urbanization movement being the new attraction in egypt. carrying a story woven from ancient settlements, pivotal battles, and a vibrant Badwian culture, Evidence suggests the presence of settlements dating back to alexander the great and even the Pharaonic era, with potential connections to the nearby cities of Marsa Matruh and Alexandria. The city also gained international recognition during World War II, becoming the site of two crucial battles in 1942 and 1943. These battles marked a turning point in the war, impacting the course of history. Following the war, Al Alamein transitioned from a small desert outpost with certain traditions and way of life to a modernizing urbanized city, attracting tourism and development, which act as a threat to the culture and traditions of this city that needs to be preserved, exposed and invested in a way that links the past with the future through a cultural catalyst that acts as a focal point in the new city attracting people from all around the world and serving the people of the city itself instead of making it a seasonal city only.

Project description

A new museum is rising in New Alamein City, Egypt, dedicated to the restoration and exhibition of underwater treasures recovered from the depths of the coasts of Alamein city. This initiative breathes new life into these submerged artifacts, shedding light on past civilizations, trade routes, and cultural practices, offering a unique glimpse into the region's rich maritime history. The museum's focus extends beyond mere preservation. By meticulously restoring these relics and presenting them alongside contextual information, the museum aims to connect visitors to the region's heritage, fostering a deeper appreciation for its cultural legacy and inspiring further research and exploration of Egypt's underwater archaeological potential. By bringing these submerged treasures to light, the museum offers a captivating window into the depths of time, enriching our understanding of the past and shaping our perspectives of the future.

Technical information

The structure of this project is mainly steel trusses and sandwich panels.

Sea water level in Alamein is rising due to climate change effect on the Mediterranean sea. Due to that, the building layering heights is made suitable and compatible with the sea level difference to act as the defense system for the building in water.


Rukam is built to cope with it’s surrounding environment and invest it for energy efficiency and sustainability. Using light colored finishing material with a rough texture that serves the concept, aesthetics and lower the heat gain as well. In addition to an energy generating device on the building roof to gain a fair amount of energy that helps the building to function sustainably during the energy crisis that the world is going through. Also, using the electricity generated by the device to keep the infrastructure working.