Reminiscing Humane Alexandria

Design Problem:

Reminiscing Humane Alexandria is a project that allows people to experience the humane language of ancient Alexandria.  The ancient urban fabric used to respect the human scale by applying a modular grid for the city. This grid facilitated the street networks besides encouraging the integration of green spaces in between the buildings. However, the urban fabric has significantly changed over the years due to the increased population which resulted in having a highly urbanized city that prioritized the cars over the humans. Therefore, the site analysis focused on analyzing the identity of Alexandria which emphasizes on the relationship of people with beach fronts and performing arts. Sadly, this identity was lost over the years. Even on the micro level , Kouta Land , which is rich in value in terms of arts and location, is left unutilized and impermeable for the neighborhood. In addition to this, it has no dialogue with the surrounding context although it is visually connected to the beachfront, Alexandria university and Alexandria library. Moreover, the surrounding streets are completely unsafe for the people making it difficult to access the beach front which is the only public space left for the people due to ruining the community assets.

Design Approach:

Consequently, the main concept of the project is to develop a subconscious dialogue between people of Alexandria and the essence of the place they live in by creating a place that allows them to experience a glimpse of the past. This can be done by expanding from the present situation of Kouta Land, and revive the art of performance in Alexandria by creating a performing arts center in order to reconnect people with their culture in a humane environment ; hence, developing a sense of belonging to their place.

In order to create this meaningful place, a humane approach is implemented by following the placemaking theory that allows to humanize today’s cities. Humane architecture shows compassion, sympathy and kindness for humans, and that was the main target of the project. The pedestrian bridge and the park’s intention is to get all the neighborhoods together and act as a safe space for everyone. These public spaces encourage people to engage and allow them to sense, move, interact and thus fabricate a sustained mental connection with the place. Hence, the project capitalized on four aspects which are : sociability, uses and activities, access and linkages and comfort and image. These aspects helped to focus on the human experience within the building.

Moreover, sustainability and environmental aspects were also taken into consideration. Simply, the project targets three layers of sustainability which are social, environmental and economic. The social layers are achieved by the design of the ceremonial bridge that restitches the cultural complex surrounding Kouta uta land by connecting Alexandria library and Alexandria university with Kouta land and by connecting Kouta land with the seafront and the sunken city. It helps to bring together all users allowing for physical, social and emotional engagement. For the environmental layer, the park acts as the “ city’s lung” ; a breathable space in the heart of a polluted city. Finally, the elevations being all white is intended to allow the neighborhood to color their the white walls with art and thus, eventually have a place that is for the people and by the people.