REJUNIVATING THE ECONOMY OF THE GEM AREA THROUGH BAHITI BUSINESS AND RETAIL CENTER

GRADUAT I ON PROJ ECTI IT HES I S ARCN481

S pr i ng2021

Pr of .AhmadAbdel Ghaf f ar Dr .Ni hal Abdel Gawwad

Dr .Ni hal Abdel Gawwad

REJ UNI VAT I NG T HEECONOMYOF T HEGEM AREAT HROUGHBAHI T I BUS I NES SANDRET AI LCENT ER Es r aaKhal ed 1164055

GRADUATION PROJECT THESIS 2 SPRING 2021

REJUNIVATING THE ECONOMY OF THE GEM AREA THROUGH BAHITI BUSINESS AND RETAIL CENTER Esraa Khaled Architecture & Engineering Technology Credit Hour Program, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University

Abstract The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which is expected to open by the end of this year, will be one the biggest cultural and educational projects. Its location is very prominent, as it’s very close to the Giza Plateau and the Pyramids. Currently, this area lacks many economic facilities that are needed to fulfill the people’s needs once the GEM opens. A business and retail center would be needed to regenerate the area by making it an economic magnet to increase its value.

Because humans spend the large part of their lives in designed commercial or residential spaces, they become affected by the interactions happening among them and with the built environment itself.

Accordingly, the aim of this dissertation is to discuss how Bahiti Business and Retail center will help improve the area’s economy and quality of life by bringing in more foreign investment. As a result, business and retail spaces are to be activated to bring on future economic and community development.

The methodology begins with data collection to check the validity of the proposed argument by reviewing different theories and approaches that have a relation to the suggested approach. Followed by the analysis of some case studies. The collected theoretical data is then applied to the architectural design of the business and retail center to check whether the hypothesis was right or wrong. The expected outcome is designing a business and retail center that responds to the constraints of the site.

Hence, it will impact the economic value greatly.

Key words Grand Egyptian Museum, Pyramids Plateau, Urban Revitalization, Community Development, Economic Value, Development Plans, Foreign Investments.

REJUNIVATING THE ECONOMY OF THE GEM AREA THROUGH BAHITI BUSINESS AND RETAIL CENTER ESRAA KHALED

Thesis Outline

Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 1 Key words ........................................................................................................................... 1 Thesis Outline ..................................................................................................................... 2 1.

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 5 Problem Definition ................................................................................................................ 5 Objectives............................................................................................................................... 6 Argument ............................................................................................................................... 6 Limitations ............................................................................................................................. 6 Context Overview.................................................................................................................. 6

2.

INTELLECTUAL CONTEXT ................................................................................ 7

Architectural Design-Led Local Economic Development ................................................. 7 2.1.1.

Local Economic Development (LED) and its process .................................................... 8 2.1.2.

Strategies and Principles of Local Economic Development ........................................... 8 2.1.3.

Relation between Architecture and Economic Development ......................................... 9 Fostering Economic Competitiveness through Sustainable Architecture ..................... 11 2.2.1.

Economic Competitiveness Definition and Requirements............................................ 12 2.2.2.

Integration between Environmental Sustainability and Economic Competitiveness .... 12 2.2.3.

Strategies to Enhance Economic Competitiveness ....................................................... 12 2.2.4.

Actions of the Urban Manager ...................................................................................... 13

3.

CASE STUDIES ...................................................................................................... 13

Case Study 1: Crystals Retail and Entertainment District; Las Vegas, U.S.A. ............. 14 3.1.1.

Background Information, Architecture and Challenges Faced ..................................... 14 3.1.2.

Environmental Treatments, Building Systems and Interior Design .............................. 17 Case Study 2: IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center; Chicago, U.S.A.................... 19 3.2.1.

Background Information, Architecture and Challenges Faced ..................................... 19 3.2.2.

Environmental Treatments, Building Systems and Interior Design .............................. 22 Design Decisions .................................................................................................................. 22

4.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION ................................................................................... 23

Context Overview................................................................................................................ 23 4.1.1.

Mirco Scale Analysis .................................................................................................... 23 4.1.2.

Macro Scale Analysis.................................................................................................... 25 Conceptual Design .............................................................................................................. 26 Form Generation and Development .................................................................................. 26 Design Development............................................................................................................ 28 Design Detailing .................................................................................................................. 32

5.

Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 34

References ......................................................................................................................... 35

GRADUATION PROJECT THESIS 2 SPRING 2021

List of Figures Figure 1 - Master Plan Design and its relation to the Surrounding Context ........................................... 7 Figure 2 - Local Economic Development Strategies .............................................................................. 8 Figure 3 - Examples of Cities and copying Architectural Objects.......................................................... 9 Figure 4 - Design-Led Economic Development Principles .................................................................... 9 Figure 5 - Aspects of Architecture as an Economic Device ................................................................. 10 Figure 6 - Sydney Opera House ............................................................................................................ 10 Figure 7 - The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Modern Shanghai Architecture at Night and Dubai Skyline .......................................................................................................................................... 11 Figure 8 - Al Moez Street ..................................................................................................................... 11 Figure 9 - Strategies to enhance Competitiveness of Cities .................................................................. 12 Figure 10 - Casablanca Finance City and Le Voyage à Nantes Art Festival ........................................ 13 Figure 11 - Crystals at CityCenter ........................................................................................................ 14 Figure 12 - 3D showing CityCenter Complex and its relation to Crystals Retail and Entertainment District........................................................................................................................................... 14 Figure 13 - Crystals Ground Level Floor Plan ...................................................................................... 15 Figure 14 - Crystals First Floor Plan ..................................................................................................... 15 Figure 15 - Crystals Secondary Floor plans .......................................................................................... 16 Figure 16 - Crystals Section .................................................................................................................. 16 Figure 17 - Crystals under construction ................................................................................................ 16 Figure 18 - Interior Shot showing the Skylights ................................................................................... 17 Figure 19 - Physical Model to study the Relation between Lights and Ceilings .................................. 17 Figure 20 - Reinterpretation of Nature in the Interior ........................................................................... 18 Figure 21 - Connections between the Ground and First Floors ............................................................ 18 Figure 22 - Plantation Elements and Flower Beds Usage at the Interior Spaces .................................. 18 Figure 23 - IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center ........................................................................... 19 Figure 24 - Tube of MTCC ................................................................................................................... 20

REJUNIVATING THE ECONOMY OF THE GEM AREA THROUGH BAHITI BUSINESS AND RETAIL CENTER ESRAA KHALED Figure 25 - Desire Lines Study and Floor Plan of MTCC .................................................................... 20 Figure 26 - Plan of MTCC with Circulation highlighted ...................................................................... 21 Figure 27 - Section of MTCC ............................................................................................................... 21 Figure 28 - MTCC "Violin Crushed by a Tube" ................................................................................... 21 Figure 29 - Signage System is shown in Food Court and Iconographic Wallpaper Portraits ............... 22 Figure 30 – Updated Context and Masterplan of the Project ................................................................ 23 Figure 31 - Bridge near the Land Lot ................................................................................................... 24 Figure 32 - GEM Area and the Study Zone .......................................................................................... 24 Figure 33 - Minimal Topography of the Land Lot ................................................................................ 25 Figure 34 - Map showing the Location of the Project in relation to The Pyramids and GEM ............. 25 Figure 35 - Triangles Abstraction ......................................................................................................... 26 Figure 36 - Steps of Form Generation .................................................................................................. 27 Figure 37 - Final Form .......................................................................................................................... 28 Figure 38 - Paths of the Plan ................................................................................................................. 28 Figure 39 - Paths of the Plan Meaning.................................................................................................. 29 Figure 40 - Ground Floor Plan .............................................................................................................. 29 Figure 41 - Third Floor Plan ................................................................................................................. 30 Figure 42 - Sixth Floor Plan.................................................................................................................. 30 Figure 43 - Exterior Shot from the Platform ......................................................................................... 31 Figure 44 - Exterior Shot of the Entrance ............................................................................................. 31 Figure 45 - Interior Shot of the Retail Zone.......................................................................................... 31 Figure 46 - Interior Shot of the Business Zone ..................................................................................... 32 Figure 47 – Longitudinal Section showing the Relations between the Floors ...................................... 32 Figure 48 - Layout Showing the Car Ramps......................................................................................... 33 Figure 49- Structural Analysis .............................................................................................................. 33

GRADUATION PROJECT THESIS 2 SPRING 2021

1. INTRODUCTION The GEM area is an integral part of the Greater Cairo (GC) region development plan. It is vital to analyze those needs. In 2008, a survey was conducted to analyze the residents’ needs. The results of the survey were that achieving good living conditions and providing services and job opportunities to achieve the quality of life are some of the residents’ needs (Greater Cairo Urban Development Strategy, Part I: Future Vision and Strategic Directions, 2012). As a result, those needs determined the main vision and pillars of the development plan. The vision pillars are about improving living and environmental conditions, providing economic competitiveness and creating an environment for tourist prosperity. Tourists need a number of commercial activities to maximize the economic value (Shahat, 2019). As well as more touristic activities. There are new patterns of tourism that are to be adopted including business activities such as conference tourism. This would make the GC a center for conference tourism (Greater Cairo Urban Development Strategy, Part I: Future Vision and Strategic Directions, 2012).

Focusing on the development plan and master plan of the GEM area; they proposed to increase investment and economic value of the surrounding spaces by providing commercial areas. This would contribute in urban development and mixed-use development (Shahat, 2019). It should be noted that this dissertation had a first part where an online questionnaire entitled “Reenergizing Grand Egyptian Museum area and Pyramids Area” was conducted for analysis purposes. From the sample of people who have taken the online questionnaire, more than 50% of them were aware of the government efforts concerning the development plan. Additionally, they were mostly satisfied about some of its elements such as; removal of unplanned areas like Nazlet el Seman and Kafr El gabl, touristic walkways and the monorail. This shows that residents have a good reaction towards all the government efforts. The overall hub and complex that is to be designed in the GEM area will aid the touristic development and within it will be the business and retail center. It will also contribute in achieving all expected outcomes from the GEM such as; social and economic impacts. The business and retail center will provide commercial and corporation services to attract local and international businesses to the area.

This dissertation consists of five main sections. The first section is an introduction which presents a quick overview of the GEM region, problem to be tackled, project objectives, research argument, research limitations and context overview. The second section is the intellectual context which is related to the research argument. Followed by a few case studies that are analyzed in details. The fourth section is concerned with the project description with its site analysis, design theories, form generation, design development and detailing. Finally, the fifth section is the conclusion that summarizes, reflects on the design impact, and provides suggestions.

Problem Definition The target of 2030 is that commercial land uses will be 7% while administrative land uses will be 3%.

Also, retail trade areas are expected to increase in the future. In 2030, modern trade models such as; commercial shops and hyper markets are expected to increase by 22%. Currently, commercial land uses occupy 2% of the land uses while administrative land uses occupy 5%. As business is one of the main development sectors that have a great influence on the GC region. As a result, this would make GC one of the best areas in the field of middle east For El Haram zone in which the business and retail center is located and where most expected users are living; the commercial and administrative land uses are taken into consideration (Greater Cairo Urban Development Strategy, Part I: Future Vision and Strategic Directions, 2012). A business and retail center would be needed in the area to help obtain,

REJUNIVATING THE ECONOMY OF THE GEM AREA THROUGH BAHITI BUSINESS AND RETAIL CENTER ESRAA KHALED direct and achieve these goals. Additionally, it will make GC endure a great amount of economic development.

From the data gathered; the problem of the GEM area is the lack of business and retail services that increases economy and makes such significant area even more important with a high economic value.

So, more business and retail spaces are needed. Eventually, this would turn GEM area and GC region as a whole into a large investment area to attract developers and residents. A business and retail center would be needed in the area to achieve economic competitiveness for the GEM area and GC region.

Objectives Establishing a business and retail center will attract residents and will set up investment centers to restore business activities. Additionally, business center would increase the communication between the local residents and tourists and thus enhance their living quality and standards. Achieving the balance between the residents’ needs and the development plan is what will cause an improvement in the economy. To do this; the business and retail center should increase economic competitiveness by creating new opportunities for development and encouraging the attraction of more investments in new urban communities.

Argument This dissertation argues that designing a business and retail center for the GEM area will help rejuvenate the area’s economy by boosting employment rates and attracting consumers from other areas as well.

It also argues that it will act as a center of community life by designing interactive spaces. The establishing of a prominent business and retail center causes an increase in employment and an overall boost for the economy of the area in which they open (McGreevy, 2016). Entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation and investment are the ideas behind a business and retail center in local economies by changing activity centers from hubs of the economy into focal points for global capital and production (Mitchell, 2007; Shuman, 2006). Additionally, providing business and retail opportunities in the area can attract consumers from other areas to improve economic competitiveness; which is in the GEM and GC vision.

Limitations The data collection methods are a bit limited in that research area, it’s mainly dependent on observations from the site and any available document. It should be stated that there’s a lack of previous studies in the scope of discussion and research area especially in how to relate business and retail spaces to human interaction.

Context Overview This business and retail center is very related to the economy and prosperity of the GEM area to achieve community development. GEM is expected to provide; 500 people, 1500 people and 5800 people with permanent jobs, jobs in the service sector and in the economic sector, respectively (Impact of GEM on Development in Egypt, 2018). The GEM area would attract many investors across the globe to establish their businesses in the upcoming years. The site is located on the land lot closest to the two main roads; Mashaal Street from northeast and Haram Street from east west as shown in figure 1 below. It forms a total area of 15000 m^2. The maximum built up area forms 60% of the land lot which is about 9000 m^2. The remaining part of the land lot will be designed as open interactive spaces.

GRADUATION PROJECT THESIS 2 SPRING 2021

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Figure 1 - Master Plan Design and its relation to the Surrounding Context Source: Developed by the author, 2021

2. INTELLECTUAL CONTEXT Given the economic and financial theme that this rejuvenation project aims to address; it becomes a necessity to target economic development and competitiveness in literature, to act as a base for this project. In order to support the suggested argument stated above; which is related to how Bahiti business and retail center will boost the area’s economy, increase employment rates and attract foreign investment. This section is focused on the link between architectural design and economic development.

Also, this section explains how to foster economic competitiveness through sustainable urban design.

In this section, an overview on architectural design-led local economic development will be covered, followed by discussing the aspects that foster the economic competitiveness through architectural design.

Architectural Design-Led Local Economic Development There are many terms to analyze and understand in order to know the effect design has on economic development. Starting with design as a term, it describes a process of linking form and function to produce many products and services architecture and non-architecture wise (Bucolo & Mattews, 2011).

Also, design-led urban regeneration; which is used to describe some of the economic development strategies as a whole (Bell & Jayne, 2010). This leads to the promoting of Local Economic Development (LED) to be a sector in the international technical assistance industry to transform the economy of the developing countries (Cunningham & Stamer, 2005). Additionally, developing countries can be stimulated with design and technology towards employment generation (Design as a Strategy for a Developing Economy, 1989). Furthermore, for the economic system to be complete, design is needed which will affect the standard living of population by focusing on innovation, development of new trends and modern technologies (Nasimi, Saleh, & Humbatova, 2021).

REJUNIVATING THE ECONOMY OF THE GEM AREA THROUGH BAHITI BUSINESS AND RETAIL CENTER ESRAA KHALED 2.1.1. Local Economic Development (LED) and its process LED will help to create new jobs, retain current jobs, help business centers to use the new market opportunities and eventually contribute in a better-balanced national framework to raise the country’s global competitiveness (EGAT/UP & The Urban Institute). Moreover, global competitiveness is mentioned in the vision of GC development plan as it will enhance economic growth through different technologies and industries (Greater Cairo Urban Development Strategy, Part I: Future Vision and Strategic Directions, 2012). Additionally, the process of LED is about establishing relations between the local government, private sector and community groups to manage the available resources in order to create jobs and strength the local economy (Rogerson , 2001).

2.1.2. Strategies and Principles of Local Economic Development Conducting a LED strategy requires an analysis of the current situation and its assets to find any possible opportunities to make the city meet its goals. As shown in figure 2, strategies can be categorized according to their focus into four categories; infrastructure, tourism, commerce and marketing (Local Economic Development (LED)).

Strategies of Local Economic development Infrastructure

•It makes businesses easier to operate; while contributing in providing better living conditions to promote economic growth.

This includes; roads, transportation networks and electricty.

Tourism

•This includes developing the touristc sites and its facilities to welcome the tourists to the area.

Commerce

•Favouring small businesses and new contractors even if they don't provide the needed services. eventually; larger companies would step in as partners.

Marketing

•Marketing the area with all its avalible sources and business centers to the local and international world.

Figure 2 - Local Economic Development Strategies Source: Developed by the author based on (Local Economic Development (LED))

Infrastructure of the construction industry has a relation with the economic infrastructure which facilitates the economic activities. They include public utilities, public works, and other transport sectors. (Pheng & Hou, 2019). As for tourism; there are two aspects in which architecture can influence architecture. For places with no architectural or historical attractions; they can use architectural creations to make new tourism destinations. Accordingly, buildings with architectural expressions can encourage investment and have a measurable effect on the economy. As for places that need identity reconstruction; they could create architecture that is not connected to the space by simply copying other successful tourism destinations. For example, anyone who sees Eiffel Tower can easily associate it with Paris. Lately, Las Vegas has many tourism destinations similar to other ones in other places which is one of the factors that caused Las Vegas to be a popular touristic destination as seen in figure 3.

Architecture and urban planning are the only ways to fight against the culture of copying objects and unification (Piatkowska, 2012).

GRADUATION PROJECT THESIS 2 SPRING 2021

Figure 3 - Examples of Cities and copying Architectural Objects Source: (Piatkowska, 2012)

The design-led economic development principles are established between leadership, innovation and design. These principles are illustrated briefly in figure 4 below (Wrigley, Matthews , & Townson, 2016).

Principles of Design-Led Economic Development Principles Strengthening designled innovation through leadership.

Change- driven.

Design management.

thinking

Figure 4 - Design-Led Economic Development Principles Source: Developed by the author based on (Wrigley, Matthews , & Townson, 2016)

2.1.3. Relation between Architecture and Economic Development Architecture is the link between the services with the user from the exterior envelope of the buildings to the interior that accommodate them. Similarly, the entire construction industry is in charge of the entire development of the environment which is very important to the social-economic development of a city. Architects and urban designers should be involved in designing buildings and landscapes to attract tourists and hence bring more revenue to these areas (Olanusi, Akingbohungbe, & Adamu , 2015). It should be noted that architecture as an economic device has some aspects that are explained in figure 5 below. These aspects include; space branding, tourism, behavioral economics, economic position and local communities (Piatkowska, 2012).

REJUNIVATING THE ECONOMY OF THE GEM AREA THROUGH BAHITI BUSINESS AND RETAIL CENTER ESRAA KHALED Aspects of Architecture as an Economic Device Space Branding Tourism Behavioral Economics

•The intenions of design start to give a new meaning for any defined space.

•Utlizing architecture as a basic instrument to stimulate the tourism development.

•Architecture as a device of the behavioral economics.

Economic Positition

•Coroperate architecture in which architecture is used to enhance the company's image.

Local Communities

•Architecture in integrating local communities.

Figure 5 - Aspects of Architecture as an Economic Device Source: Developed by the author based on (Piatkowska, 2012)

For the Bahiti Business and Retail Center, tourism is to be used as an aspect of architecture that causes an increase of economy. This is because of its location and relation to the Giza Pyramids. Therefore, architecture is essential for economic growth and tourism (Guetzkow, 2002). However, visitors are attracted to places with good qualities of culture, architecture, food, people and diversity (Maitland & Newman, 2009). For example, Sydney Opera House; as seen in figure 6 below; brings about 640$ each year because of people who visit it and extend their visit while using other services and places (Foley, Edwards, & Scerri, 2018).

Figure 6 - Sydney Opera House Source: (Perez, 2010)

There are many examples of cities that enhanced their image with architecture like Bilbao, Shanghai and Dubai as seen in figure 7 below. When Bilbao was suffering a deep economic crisis in 1997, a new branch of the Guggenheim Museums opened there. Currently, Bilbao has an urban landscape that is both considerate and attractive to people. As a result, the “Guggenheim Effect” became known worldwide as it transformed the city (Olmo, 2017). The museum was one of many projects that were designed to transform the entire city (Thorne & Tejada, 2018). Shanghai is a main trading port and gateway of China. It’s currently a place for advanced urban planning and architectural concepts.

Furthermore, they have built many buildings in the last 20 years more than any other country. In fact, their architects and urban planners put much thought into the situation of the urban space to create an identity for the city (Yang, 2002). Dubai has undergone some drastic architectural evolutions to make the city a tourist hub and a global attraction. This was achieved through designing some iconic buildings

GRADUATION PROJECT THESIS 2 SPRING 2021

such as Burj El Arab and Burj Khalifa. Hence, they became prominent landmarks of the city (Al Kassim, 2016). The common thing between all these examples is that their economic development was becoming better as well as their position globally because of their strategies.

Figure 7 - The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Modern Shanghai Architecture at Night and Dubai Skyline (From Left to Right), Sources: (The Guggenheim Musuem Bilbao, 2021), (Shanghai architecture: the old and the new, 2018) and (Gamboni, 2019)

Since this dissertation is concerned with retail and corporate spaces; it’s important to address them.

Shopping in retail spaces as an activity is about entering shops, watching products and buying different needs. Architects need to guarantee all consumers their needs with the store’s arrangements and appropriate compositions which encourages or discourages the user. As for corporate architecture, it’s the economic instrument as it affects the company’s profit while addressing current and future clients (Piatkowska, 2012). Consequently, Economic Architecture is about tackling the force of the market to make the quality of the people’s lives better (Yasgur, 2016).

Fostering Economic Competitiveness through Sustainable Architecture Economic competitiveness is in the vision of turning the GC into a sustainable urban environment (Greater Cairo Urban Development Strategy, Part I: Future Vision and Strategic Directions, 2012).

Sustainability is related to green economy which is about a better living environment and saving energy.

Eventually, the environment will be protected (Pavlova, 2018). The key urban challenge that needs solving is how to improve sustainable competitiveness in the current world. Because of globalization and the opportunities available everywhere for cities as a result of the new technologies, new ideas move in cities faster (Innovative city strategies for delivering sustainable competitiveness, 2014).

GC includes many sites in terms of its architectural and historical value. One part of the GC economic development strategy is to preserve and maintain the style of the buildings and enhance the street’s architectural landscape in old spaces like Al Moaz Street as shown in figure 8 below. All of the archeological and architectural sites that the GC has are considered to be an asset to support the economic sector and increase economic competitiveness (Greater Cairo Urban Development Strategy, Part I: Future Vision and Strategic Directions, 2012).

Figure 8 - Al Moez Street Source: (Antone, 2019)

REJUNIVATING THE ECONOMY OF THE GEM AREA THROUGH BAHITI BUSINESS AND RETAIL CENTER ESRAA KHALED 2.2.1. Economic Competitiveness Definition and Requirements Economic competitiveness is composed of many items that influence urban economies including; life quality, government cooperation, infrastructure, human development, local economy and business cost.

These are considered to be the strategies that enhance drivers of city competitiveness. All these key items are assessment items of the city competitiveness. Thus, economic competitiveness requires innovation and good technical capacity (Enhancing the Competitiveness of Cities: Unpacking and improving the drivers of city competitiveness, 2015).

Architecture can contribute to make cities more competitive. Design can reinforce branding and local economy of the city. The key is technology as it has an impact on the city’s government, industry and architecture. The challenge is that the future keeps changing in unexpected ways. To solve that, the urban environment must be sustainable and functional. It should be noted that architecture is a big part of the structure of the city (Thorne & Tejada, 2018).

2.2.2. Integration between Environmental Sustainability and Economic Competitiveness The integration into the development strategy is common for all cities, but it is a more demanding challenge for global cities. The integration appears in many elements such as; green economy, sustainable redevelopment, integrated transport and connectivity, livable and accessible place, urban design, marketized sustainability and relational planning (Hu , 2015).

2.2.3. Strategies to Enhance Economic Competitiveness The strategies needed to enhance city competitiveness differ according to each city’s specific needs.

The following key strategies shown in figure 9 below will improve the city’s economy eventually (Enhancing the Competitiveness of Cities: Unpacking and improving the drivers of city competitiveness, 2015).

Strategies of City Competitiveness Urban Design and Management Urban Systems Regional Linkages and Cooperation

Urban Governance Education and skills Architectural Measuers

•To manage people and economic prosperisty, prevenet pollution and reduce crownding.

•They need imrpovment and integration to address the problems concerning transport systems.

•To develop city networks.

•Helps to grow level of trust and make opportunities for sharing of resources and innovation.

•When they're allighned with urban economic bases, the current and future labour demands will be met.

•Strengthening relations between urban transportations, land uses and environemntal saving.

Figure 9 - Strategies to enhance Competitiveness of Cities Source: Developed by the author based on (Enhancing the Competitiveness of Cities: Unpacking and improving the drivers of city competitiveness, 2015) and (Eide, 2014)

All of the above strategies would result in the enhancement of industry cities and optimize the local economy’s current strengths and future opportunities. The integrative and collaborative city systems

GRADUATION PROJECT THESIS 2 SPRING 2021

are to be developed by increasing the potentials of urban economies for sustainable growth (Enhancing the Competitiveness of Cities: Unpacking and improving the drivers of city competitiveness, 2015).

There are some examples for city competitiveness and its relation to global economy such as Nantes and Casablanca as seen in figure 10 below. Nantes launched a project in 2011 called Le Voyage à Nantes that merged architectural heritage, contemporary architectural, public spaces and exhibitions.

Consequently, this resulted in a new identity and an increase in the number of tourists from 486,000 in 2011 to 650,000 in 2013. Another example is Casablanca that has the Casablanca Financial City to work as a financial hub. Additionally, the city has an interesting architectural and cultural heritage. This makes it the third most visited city in Morocco because of its amazing malls and sources of entertainment (Eide, 2014).

Figure 10 - Casablanca Finance City and Le Voyage à Nantes Art Festival (From Left to right), Sources: (Hemras, 2019) and (Le Voyage à Nantes, 2021)

2.2.4. Actions of the Urban Manager For the urban manager to work on a sustainable competitiveness project, some actions need to be taken.

The new urban managers should asses the hidden dynamics of the city. Then, they should develop the vision of the sustainable competitiveness of the city in relation to its specific context and stakeholders.

Next is focusing on paying attention to host international events. Potential leadership should be identified as well. Additionally; all the unusual suspects besides the ones working in businesses such as kids should be involved in the design process to get fresh ideas. Any urban designer should consider the best level and scale of the intervention as well as highlighting the capabilities of the city. Using smart solutions and agile ways will surely aid in in the sustainable city competitiveness process (Innovative city strategies for delivering sustainable competitiveness, 2014).

3. CASE STUDIES In the following part, two projects, that have seen major efforts in economic competitiveness and development, are going to be analyzed as case studies. These two case studies show a number of elements that can be applied to the business and retail center concerning structure, interior, environmental treatments, zoning, contextual relations and the school of architecture they follow.

Additionally, they convey how incorporating economic competitiveness in architectural design helps in making more revenue. The case studies will be analyzed to deduce points of success and failure based on the criteria covered in the theoretical part.

REJUNIVATING THE ECONOMY OF THE GEM AREA THROUGH BAHITI BUSINESS AND RETAIL CENTER ESRAA KHALED

Case Study 1: Crystals Retail and Entertainment District; Las Vegas, U.S.A. Crystals Retail and Entertainment District, shown in figure 11 below, is a retail project at the MGM MIRAGE CityCenter whose aim was to create entertainment and retail spaces that serves as the connector of the vertical “city within a city”. The CityCenter is indeed a mixed-use city in itself as it includes; hotels, apartments and other entertainment facilities. The main objectives of the project include; creating an open and flowing non-ordinary shopping mall with high ceilings, sloping walls and sunlight that enters in the complex through crystal shaped skylight (Gordon, 2010) and designing luxury retail and dining with a public area, water feature and a grand staircase leading to the casino of the CityCenter to make the entire CityCenter complex connected (Studio Libskind , 2009).

Figure 11 - Crystals at CityCenter Source: (Studio Libskind , 2009)

3.1.1. Background Information, Architecture and Challenges Faced Crystals belongs to the CityCenter which is a 1,560,500 square meters complex as shown in figure 12 below. The design of the Crystals Retail and public space was given to Studio Libeskind by Adamson Associates to be a part of the City Center Complex Construction (Studio Libskind , 2009). The project was completed in 2009. Additionally, it includes exclusive retailers, in fashion clubs, restaurants, galleries, offices and support areas forming a building size of 500,000 square meters (Argyriades, 2010).

Figure 12 - 3D showing CityCenter Complex and its relation to Crystals Retail and Entertainment District Source: (Illia, 2010)

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The usual style of Daniel Libeskind in all his previous projects follows the school of deconstructivism and this project is no exception. The building’s characteristics include; fragmentation and manipulation of surfaces, distorting and dislocating both the spiraling roof structure and crystalline stainless steelclad envelope, separating the interior from the exterior to make the experience better and controlling the dynamism of the exterior façade. It should be noted that the structure and architecture are both oriented in the same direction (Argyriades, 2010). All the previous characteristics appear in the floor plans shown in figure 13, 14 and 15 where the main zones are highlighted. A section is shown in figure 16 below showing the vertical connection among the different floors. The building is composed of four floors and a mezzanine plus one underground parking. Additionally, level three and four have access to the Express Tram and other facilities through escalators and elevators (Map, 2021).

Circulation Paths and Atrium Retail Shops and Stores Entrances New Extension

Figure 13 - Crystals Ground Level Floor Plan Source: (Map, 2021)

Circulation Paths and Atrium Retail Shops and Stores

Figure 14 - Crystals First Floor Plan Source: (Map, 2021)

REJUNIVATING THE ECONOMY OF THE GEM AREA THROUGH BAHITI BUSINESS AND RETAIL CENTER ESRAA KHALED

Figure 15 - Crystals Secondary Floor plans Source: (Map, 2021)

Figure 16 - Crystals Section Source: (Crystals at CityCenter, 2009)

The biggest challenge of Crystals was its structural system as shown in figure 17 below. It is made of 19 overlapping separate roofs. In fact, it has thousands of steel pieces in all directions. It also has 13 planer roofs and six sloped roofs. Furthermore, the 3D structural BIM model which was developed by Schuff Steel had no right angles and no repetitive patterns took so long to finish. All steel pieces were calculated carefully starting from the major trussed, secondary trussed, pipes and columns to avoid any kind of error. The 3D structural model helped in dividing the project into stages during construction.

Due to the complexity of the connections; 90% of them were bolted while the rest was welded (The Crystals at CityCenter, 2009).

Figure 17 - Crystals under construction Source: (The Crystals at CityCenter, 2009)

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3.1.2. Environmental Treatments, Building Systems and Interior Design In 2009, Crystals was announced to have received LEED Gold Core and Shell certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The sustainable features of Crystals include; floor cooling which uses less power for air conditioning, most of the wood used there is made from trees with sustainable management applications, saving 1.8 million gallons of water each year, skylights that are shown in figure 18 that allow natural lighting to use less artificial lighting, and visitors who are arriving using vehicles with alternative fuel vehicles (Argyriades, 2010). For the interior; they used bamboo for the grand stairs, no formaldehyde was used, flooring materials without any toxic ingredients, all lights are LED which saves about 264,241$ in energy consumption each year (Lomholt , 2021).

Figure 18 - Interior Shot showing the Skylights Source: (Argyriades, 2010)

A company called Focus Lighting was responsible for the lighting design of Crystals. One of the first issues that faced them was how they were going to place lighting slots in such high ceiling while keeping the ceiling clean; as this was Libeskind’s desire to keep the architecture clean. As a result, they created a solution in which they placed recessed lighting in ceilings and wall planes. For this reason, coordination took place between Studio Libeskind and Focus Group for weeks concerning the location of the slots. The second issue they faced was how they would get the maintaince guy up to change the lights. Most of the lights could be reached using lifts; while others are located very high on the ceiling or above the stairs. Eventually; it was decided that a catwalk would be needed for the maintaince of some spots in six locations. The only problem was that the steel of the project had already been designed and there was no way of turning back. Again, coordination took place between Studio Libeskind and Focus Group to find the best six access points for the catwalk (Seward, 2010). Figure 19 below shows the physical model that Focus Group built to know how to place lighting fixtures and catwalks for the place to be well lit.

Figure 19 - Physical Model to study the Relation between Lights and Ceilings Source: (Seward, 2010)

REJUNIVATING THE ECONOMY OF THE GEM AREA THROUGH BAHITI BUSINESS AND RETAIL CENTER ESRAA KHALED Rockwell Group was responsible for the interior design of Crystals. Their interior concept was to design a 21st century park to be a gathering place for dining and shopping as Vegas used to be separated from the rest of the world. At the same time, the interior follows the curvilinear vocabulary which contrasts with the sharp lines of the exterior. There are many reinterpretations of the nature as seen in figure 20 in the interior such as the wooden sculptures forming a tree house as well as a hanging garden and flower carpet (Lomholt , 2021; Crystals at CityCenter, 2009). Additionally, the interior space shows the connection between the different levels to enhance the user experience as seen in figure 21 below. It should be noted that the main circulation element or the atrium includes some flower beds and plantation elements as shown in figure 22.

Figure 20 - Reinterpretation of Nature in the Interior Source: (Studio Libskind , 2009)

Figure 21 - Connections between the Ground and First Floors Source: (Studio Libskind , 2009)

Figure 22 - Plantation Elements and Flower Beds Usage at the Interior Spaces Source: (Studio Libskind , 2009)

This case study highlights how the project can contribute in connecting other building elements of the surrounding context. It also shows the characteristics and principles of deconstructivism very clearly and vividly. Moreover, it emphasizes on the importance of the structural system and how it can be

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implanted to make new forms. Furthermore, it shows how can environmental treatments be applied in all stages of the project to save the environment. It also shows how the contrast between the exterior and interior be beneficial for the user experience. Finally, it highlights how systems such as lighting could take place in such complex form and how to tackle the problems that came with it.

Since Las Vegas is all about tourism and touristic attractions as a strategy of Local Economic Development. In this project; architecture was used to create new touristic attractions in a huge complex that encompass many facilities that a tourist would want. This encouraged investment and eventually had an effect on the economy. Additionally, tourism as an aspect of architecture for economic development is visible. This is because people who come would extend their stay and use other entertainment facilities of Las Vegas which would bring in more revenue.

Case Study 2: IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center; Chicago, U.S.A. IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center, shown in figure 23 below, is a student campus in Mies van der Rohe's 1940 masterplan for the Illinois Institute of Technology whose aim was to reactivate the civic inherent. The main objectives of the project include; creating a focal point for the separate parts of the campus while creating a new identity, absorbing the noise coming from the metro running above the building and designing a campus with a bookshop, food court, auditorium, technology center, multipurpose rooms and meeting zones (IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003; McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003).

Figure 23 - IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center Source: (IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003)

3.2.1. Background Information, Architecture and Challenges Faced McCormik Tribune Campus Center (MTCC) which forms an area of 10,000 square meters belongs to the IIT complex (IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003). The design of MTCC was made by OMA Studio with Rem Koolhaas as the principal architect after winning a competition that took place in 1997 (McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003). The project started in 1997 and was completed by 2003. The challenge of this project was how to reenergize the campus that now has half the number of students it did in 1940 on the same foot print. This is because the campus was declining in the number of students after the 1960s. Another challenge was how to redesign the area with the smallest built up

REJUNIVATING THE ECONOMY OF THE GEM AREA THROUGH BAHITI BUSINESS AND RETAIL CENTER ESRAA KHALED area. To solve all of this, the building was created as a new focal at the center of IIT underneath the artery that connects the campus to Chicago. By closing the metro tracks with a cylinder, which was later became recognized among students as The Tube as seen in figure 24 below, a new image for IIT campus has been created (IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003). It should be noted that the train line separates the academic buildings of the campus from the residential ones both physically and psychologically (McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003).

Figure 24 - Tube of MTCC Source: (McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003)

Rem Koolhaas is also one of the architects who are known to follow the rules of deconstructivism. In the same way; he is also known for “Cross Programming” which is related to the placement of spaces inside the project. In the case of MTCC, instead of placing spaces in a building with several floors, it was decided that the spaces will be distributed along one floor. OMA attempted a study to know the travel lines among the campus that the students usually take and called them “Desire lines”. Their purpose was to connect students to other facilities around the campus during all times such as; commercial, entertainment, academic and recreational activities. The sloping concrete roof is the thing that connects the entire spaces below and protects from the noise coming from the metro above. The roof also covers the nearby halls to work as a food court (IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003). Figures 25, 26 and 27 show the desire lines’ study and their application on the floor plan and section.

Figure 25 - Desire Lines Study and Floor Plan of MTCC Source: (IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003)

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Figure 26 - Plan of MTCC with Circulation highlighted Source: (IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003)

Figure 27 - Section of MTCC Source: (IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003)

The building is sometimes is said to look like a “violin crushed by a tube” as seen in figure 28. At the same time, Koolhaas designed a bold building that would contrast with the Crown Hall designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1956. It was originally suggested to be integrated with MTCC by making two exterior walls on the Common Halls interior walls of the MTCC. However, this idea was met by anger from preservationists and asked for a distance between the two buildings. Koolhaas eventually made a compromise by designing a glass wall which connects visually not physically (McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003).

Figure 28 - MTCC "Violin Crushed by a Tube" Source: (IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003)

REJUNIVATING THE ECONOMY OF THE GEM AREA THROUGH BAHITI BUSINESS AND RETAIL CENTER ESRAA KHALED 3.2.2. Environmental Treatments, Building Systems and Interior Design Stainless Steel is used to make a tube for the metro to decrease noise coming from it that could reach the entire campus (IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003). Additionally, 2x4 company was responsible for the interior design. Iconography plays an important role in the interior (McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003). They used familiar signage systems of the rounded black heads to show the different activities students can do in each space. The icon system, shown in figure 29, is applied into many surfaces such as; digital walls, glass walls and wallpapers. Moreover, there are many interesting architectural details in the project such as; iconographic wallpaper portraits which are seen in figure 24, light boxes and LED digital clocks. Eventually, this makes branding the campus even easier and better (IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003).

Figure 29 - Signage System is shown in Food Court and Iconographic Wallpaper Portraits Source: (IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 2003)

This case study highlights how the project can reactivate the urban area by creating new focal points It also shows how to use the assets and constraints given to solve the design problem. Moreover, it emphasizes on the importance of finding a relation between the surrounding context and the travel patterns of the users in the site to form the main movement paths of the project. Furthermore, it shows how to use simple shapes in the project for the interior design to be simple. Finally, it highlights how to preserve important site elements for their heritage and historical value.

Although this is an educational campus; which is very different from a business and retail center in terms of typology; but it can also bring in economic development to the city as more students could enroll in this university campus. In this project; architecture was used to strengthen relations between land uses and urban transportation as a strategy of economic competitiveness.

Design Decisions From all the previous case studies, a few design decisions were conducted that includes many parts.

Starting with the overall idea of the project which would be following the architectural school of “Deconstructivism” to represent the site’s most important element. Followed by the structural system that will encompass such fragmented forms in both the plan and section. Moreover, the interior spaces should be a reflection of what is happening in the exterior. The most important characteristic of deconstructivism is the structural system which will hold the entire form together. Additionally, the main movement paths should be able to represent or imitate a specific feature in the context. Connecting different floors vertically through stairs or atriums is to applied. All of this should be done with respect

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to the intellectual context’s theories concerning economic competitiveness and architectural design led economic development. Applying the strategies and principles suggested above is essential for the success of the project.

4. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The project is a business and retail center which aims at improving the economy of the GEM area through different parts. The first part; which is a luxurious retail zone filled with different kinds of shops to encourage retail companies to buy a location there so they could sell their brand in such a special place. It also encourages shoppers; whether they were foreigners or locals to use these retail zones which eventually brings in more revenue. Moreover, another important part of the project is the business and corporation zone. This is the zone where companies rent an area of the space to establish their company. Consequently, this would increase the communication between local residents and tourists like the ones who bring in their business from aboard to the country. Eventually, this would enhance the living quality. The final part of the project is a transformation zone between the business and retail zone. It can be described as an intermediate zone that contains some functions that could separate between the activities happening in the retail zone and the quietness required in the business zone.

Context Overview The Bahiti Business and Retail Center is located on the north east of the Aten Cultural Park. This Park includes other different typologies such as; Start Up Center, Library, Recreational Center and Wellness Center. All these five typologies share a middle zone in the park and this is what connects them all as seen in figure 30 below.

N

Figure 30 – Updated Context and Masterplan of the Project Source: Developed by the Author, 2021

4.1.1. Mirco Scale Analysis

REJUNIVATING THE ECONOMY OF THE GEM AREA THROUGH BAHITI BUSINESS AND RETAIL CENTER ESRAA KHALED The Business and Retail center is located on the land lot closest to the two main roads; Mashaal Street from the north west and Haram Street from the north east. It should be added that there is a bridge in Mashaal Street that was built recently as seen in figure 31 below. Furthermore; it connects El Mansorya Road, which is at the north east of the land lot, to Mashaal Street to decrease congestion in the intersection zone between Mashaal Street and Haram Street.

Figure 31 - Bridge near the Land Lot Source: Developed by the Author, 2021

It should be added that most of the typologies around us are residential buildings with a number of floors that ranges from six to ten floors like The Old Hadayek El Ahram at the west of the land lot and buildings all along Haram Street. However, it also includes some commercial activities on Mashaal Street. In addition to that, Haram Street includes some shopping malls and private or rented office spaces which are not considered to be that much since it’s mostly a residential neighborhood. There is a huge golf course just at the bottom of the pyramids which is also two minutes away from the land lot and forms a large area of green area. The land uses map is seen in figure 32 below.

Figure 32 - GEM Area and the Study Zone Source: (Greater Cairo Urban Development Strategy, Part I: Future Vision and Strategic Directions, 2012) and Edited by the Author, 2021

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Regarding the physical analysis of the site, although this land lot is very close to the Giza Plateau which is known for the natural contours and levels in it. This land lot does not contain any levels and it is also of the same level as the road outside as shown in figure 33 below. Originally, this was an agricultural land but it’s not used for that anymore. Aten Cultural Park’s design includes three circular platforms.

The one closest to the project is at a height of four meters from the zero level and is located at the north west of the land lot. it also has a direct contact with a drop off on the north of the land lot and an indirect contact with a cul de sac in the south of the land lot.

Figure 33 - Minimal Topography of the Land Lot Source: (Contour Map Creator, 2021)

4.1.2. Macro Scale Analysis The New Grand Egyptian Museum and The Great Pyramids of Giza form a big part of it. The New Grand Egyptian Museum is five minutes away from the project’s location; which should be very influential despite the fact that these are two different typologies. Thus, all of these projects and the Business Center are supposed to increase the economic competitiveness of the city. The Great Pyramid of Giza can be seen very clearly from the land lot. In fact, The Pyramids entrance is located two minutes away from the land lot in Haram Street. Additionally, all other activities concerning The Pyramids such as The Light and Sound can be accessed from El Mansorya Road. All of this shows that this area is supposedly filled with tourists enjoying Giza all year long. They form a percentage of the target users of the project as well. Another important feature of the project’s location is Nazlet El Seman and the surrounding unplanned areas. Although they are to be removed soon, they form a huge part of the macro scale context. The data explained above are illustrated in figure 34 below.

Bahiti Land Lot Giza Pyramids Grand Egyptian Museum Pyramids Entrance Light and Sound Entrance

Figure 34 - Map showing the Location of the Project in relation to The Pyramids and GEM Source: Google Earth, 2021 and Edited by the Author, 2021

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Conceptual Design Starting with the name of the project; “Bahiti” which means fortune in the old Egyptian language which is related to the economic development, prosperity and business. When The Pyramids were built in Ancient Egypt, it had a huge effect and it transformed the area as well. The project follows the trend of urban transformation happening in the surrounding context to trigger and encourage development.

Moreover, that same transformation is what this project is trying to do to the area. Consequently, this is done by the abstraction of The Pyramids to its smallest units which are the triangles in a deconstructive and fragmented way as a representation of that transformation. The abstraction method appears in the sketch in figure 35 below. Additionally, these triangles have different sizes and proportions to achieve the same purpose.

Figure 35 - Triangles Abstraction Source: Developed by the Author, 2021

Form Generation and Development Th project is mainly composed of a podium and a tower. Moreover, the podium which is the retail zone of the project is horizontal for the first three floors as it represents the Giza Plateau on which the Pyramids are rested. Additionally, the tower is nine floors and is a representation of the rested Pyramids on top of the podium forms the business and corporation zone. The project in total is 12 floors, so a clear connection had to be made between the project and the master plan. For that reason, a walkway gallery was formed at the second floor of the project with a glass elevator at the end of it. Its purpose was to connect the nearest platform of the Aten Cultural Park to the upper floors of the project easily.

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Figure 36 - Steps of Form Generation Source: Developed by the Author, 2021

In the figure above appears the first trails of the project, the problem here was that the podium was very dominant in the form when it is supposed for the tower to be dominant one. Another problem here was the connection and shift between the tower and the podium. In fact, how the triangles would shape themselves to form the tower was not yet clear at this stage. In the same way, the walkway was very small compared to the entire building and it looked a bit out of place. A major problem of the project was the tip of the tower as it was horizontal when it was supposed to represent The Pyramids in a more like a sharp ending. The materials were already starting to take place in the shape of paint for solid areas and glass. There were too many solid areas which needed fixing to increase the natural daylight in the project. Eventually, it was decided that as much as possible, no two adjacent surfaces would have the same material to create variation inside with a better interior experience.

In the second trail of the project, the tip of the tower was starting to take a bit of a pyramidical shape.

The only problem here was that the podium still looked huge near the tower while the tower looked so small. Furthermore, the walkway was starting to look better as it had the same style and pattern of the rest of the project. It was blending in with the rest of the project while making a statement by being injected in the tower in a very sharp and clear way.

By the third trail, the structure was already starting to take place as built-up sections that forms the entire skin of the building. The tip of the tower was still not yet very clear. It should be added that the columns of the walkway looked very thin near the building and it needed to have the same language of triangles or The Pyramids in them. Although the podium was becoming less dominant with the adjustments, it was still not enough when it came to its relation and proportion with the tower.

The landscape was starting to appear in this stage, as shown in figure 37 in the final from, which is also the same language of the triangles with respect to the ground floor plan main paths of movement. It showed where the green areas, water ponds and seating areas would take place. Also, with the tip of the tower being fixed and shaped like a pyramid, the tower finally became the prominent and dominant part of the project near the podium. In addition to that, the columns of the walkway were thicker and also in a triangular shape.

In the final stages of the form development, a more developed landscape was appearing as well as the connection between the project and the platform of the Aten Cultural Park. It should be added that this is highest building in the Aten Cultural Park in terms of number of floors.

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Figure 37 - Final Form Source: Developed by the Author, 2021

Design Development The ground floor plan also has the same sense as the whole mass. The main paths of movement are what divided the space initially. These paths intersection as seen in figure 38 and 39 represent a certain meaning; the community which is the people who live in Haram Street, the touristic destinations like the bazars and the Sound and Light in El Mansorya Road, The Pyramids which is a main form giver and an important asset and the GEM.

Figure 38 - Paths of the Plan Source: Developed by the Author, 2021

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Community

Touristic Destinations

GEM

Pyramids

Figure 39 - Paths of the Plan Meaning Source: Google Earth, 2021 and Edited by the Author, 2021

As for the plan zoning which appears in figure 40, the project has two double height entrances; one from the park side while the other one is from Mashaal Street side with an escalator in it. The plan includes some small rerail shops and other large department stores. For the department stores, they each have a staircase that reaches the first floor, and elevator and a storage area. On the other hand, for the small retail shops, they only include storage areas only. The hyper market is located at the far end of the project and it includes its needed services. These services include a storage, deliverables zone, staff rooms, offices and a supervisor’s office. For the restaurants and the cafes, they all include a storage area and a kitchen. Additionally, some of the restaurants and cafes are three steps higher than the ground floor plan level.

Figure 40 - Ground Floor Plan Source: Developed by the Author, 2021

REJUNIVATING THE ECONOMY OF THE GEM AREA THROUGH BAHITI BUSINESS AND RETAIL CENTER ESRAA KHALED The plan shown below in figure 41 is the plan that shows the intermediate zone or the transition zone between the business part and the retail part. This is the third-floor plan and it shows part of the working areas with its usual offices in cubicles and another part to be a casual working area and a buffet closest to the podium below. This floor can be reached as well from the escalator coming from the secondfloor plan as well.

Figure 41 - Third Floor Plan Source: Developed by the Author, 2021

It is clear now that the area of the floor plan decreases as we go up the building which gives us the final form eventually. As seen in the sixth-floor plan below in figure 42, this is a plan of the business part where the offices are laid in cubicles as well with a small break area or a gathering space.

Figure 42 - Sixth Floor Plan Source: Developed by the Author, 2021

The exterior shot shown in figure 43 is taken from the platform closest to the business center. It shows the vertical core that connects the upper floors of the project with the master plan. Additionally, the

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entrance of the project appears in figure 44. It can be noted that it’s identified with a main landscape path while being connected to the rest of the landscape paths of the project. The entrance is very clear because that part is composed a huge glass part. Since the project is composed of the retail and business part, the interior spaces treatments don’t differ that much as most floors are connected vertically and visually. This appears is figure 45 of one of the retail zones. This shot is taken at the double height entrance of the project. Furthermore, in figure 46 appears the divisions of the office cubicles of the business part and the connections between the floors. This shot shows that the business part is an open plan.

Figure 43 - Exterior Shot from the Platform Source: Developed by the Author, 2021

Figure 44 - Exterior Shot of the Entrance Source: Developed by the Author, 2021

Figure 45 - Interior Shot of the Retail Zone Source: Developed by the Author, 2021

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Figure 46 - Interior Shot of the Business Zone Source: Developed by the Author, 2021

Design Detailing With such complex form, the real challenge was solving it on the inside because of the sharp angles and inclined walls and roofs. Every floor slab is different than the one below it and they’re all surrounded by handrails, as seen in the section in figure 47 below, in the upper floors which increases the vertical connection and brings in more natural light in the project and among the different levels. Another thing that would increase the connection between different floors are atriums which are also placed and distributed in different places of the project. Part of the experience of the project is that the structural system is visible for the people inside the project and the handrail is the only separation between them.

Moreover, in the process of making the tip the tower thinner, it was decided that the last two floors would be a one open space for coworkers to gather where they are connected by a staircase.

Figure 47 – Longitudinal Section showing the Relations between the Floors Source: Developed by the Author, 2021

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Since the project is composed of three zones; retail zone, business zone and intermediate zone, this had to appear in the form as well. The intermediate zone took place in the third floor which is half of it is in the tower and the other half is in podium. It was put into consideration that all of the Aten Cultural Park doesn’t have vehicle movement in them expect in the cul de sacs. For that reason, the project has two ramps which are wide enough even for delivery cars that bring all kinds of goods of the restaurants, cafes and shops to the basement below. One of the ramps is from Haram Street while the other one is from the drop off near the land lot as seen in the layout in figure 48 below.

Figure 48 - Layout Showing the Car Ramps Source: Developed by the Author, 2021

The structural system of this project is composed mainly of steel and concrete as shown in the structural analysis in figure 49 below. Steel built up sections are used to form the exterior skin of the building.

On the other hand, concrete flat slab is used is used to support the floor slabs of the different floors.

Additionally, the walkway is also supported by concrete pyramidical like columns. Because of the sharp inclinations of the exterior walls of the project in the ground floor, it was decided that in the places where the clear height is not enough for an activity to take place, we can add some planting elements instead for some change.

Figure 49- Structural Analysis Source: Developed by the Author, 2021

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5. Conclusion Bahiti Business and Retail Center combines the service of luxury shopping, dining and social activities with the corporation and business part while maintaining an intermediate zone or a transformation zone between the business and the retail parts. The project is expected to be a large investment center by attracting local residents and tourists. Additionally, it will improve the economic competitiveness with the new opportunities available. The user experience of the project would be very different from any other business and retail center due to its form and the paths of movement inside it. The project would also contribute in resolving the main problem of the GEM area which is the lack of business and retail services. Furthermore, the project is expected to be an icon near The Pyramids and in the Aten Cultural Park as well. In the same way, it will serve the entire complex of the Aten Cultural Park.

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