DIGITAL HERITAGE MUSEUM OF EGYPT
CAIRO, EGYPT
The project seeks visions for a museum that employs cutting-edge technology, such as virtual reality, holography, and interactive displays, to bring ancient Egypt to life. It will serve as an educational resource and tourist attraction, promoting cultural preservation through innovation.
Submission Deadline: August 25, 2025
BRIEF
Cairo — a cradle of civilization, a city layered with the relics of millennia — stands at the crossroads of memory and modernity. As one of the world’s richest cultural landscapes, it faces the urgent challenge of safeguarding its heritage amidst rapid urbanization, climate stress, and evolving modes of engagement. Many invaluable artifacts remain locked in inaccessible vaults or are deteriorating under environmental duress.
The Digital Heritage Museum proposes a bold architectural response: a new kind of cultural institution that uses emerging technologies to digitally preserve, reconstruct, and reinterpret Egypt’s vast and diverse cultural legacy. This is not a museum of artifacts, but a museum of experiences — an immersive gateway into ancient knowledge systems, stories, and lost environments.
This competition invites architects, designers, and students to envision a site-specific, technologically-forward, and culturally-sensitive museum that bridges the past with the future, positioning Cairo as a global leader in the preservation of digital heritage.
Preserving the past, designing the future.
SITE
The El-Remaya Square site is a prominent urban node located near Cairo, Egypt, next to the gateway to the Giza Plateau. Known for its strategic position at the intersection of major highways and tourist routes, it serves as a key arrival point for visitors to the Pyramids and other historic landmarks.
This dynamic district is characterized by its high visibility, cultural significance, and proximity to both heritage sites and dense urban neighborhoods. As a place where ancient history meets contemporary movement, the site presents a compelling backdrop for architectural innovation, offering opportunities to redefine public engagement at the threshold of Egypt’s most iconic treasures.
PROGRAM
The museum aims to serve as a dynamic hub for education, recreation, discovery, and innovation, catering to both local residents and international visitors. It should go beyond housing and displaying digital reproductions of ancient artifacts and environments, such as temples, monuments, and manuscripts, by also offering spaces dedicated to research, critical debates, and creative exploration surrounding heritage conservation.
This institution will foster a unique platform for cross-generational and cross-cultural exchange, providing opportunities for diverse audiences, especially the youth, to interact with and engage the ancient world in groundbreaking, immersive ways that bridge past and present, tradition and innovation.
● Main Lobby and Reception
● Education Center
● Auditorium
● Museum Shop
● Café & Rooftop Restaurant
● Public Restrooms
* The Program description and area are specified in the Project Brief and are accessible after registration.● Immersive VR Galleries
● Interactive Exhibits
● Holographic Theaters
* The Program description and area are specified in the Project Brief and are accessible after registration.● Analysis and Preservation Lab
● Archive Storage
● Offices
* The Program description and area are specified in the Project Brief and are accessible after registration.● Support Space
● Loading Dock and Receiving Area
● Administrative Offices
● Building Circulation
* The Program description and area are specified in the Project Brief and are accessible after registration.● Public Plaza for City Events
● Heritage Garden
● Interactive Digital Plaza
● Shaded Seating Terraces
● Outdoor Circulation, Landscape, Setback & Buffer
* The Program description and area are specified in the Project Brief and are accessible after registration.
PRIZES
All winning projects have the potential to be showcased on various websites, in magazines, and across architectural platforms. Additionally, they may feature prominently in national and international architectural exhibitions and events.
● $3,000
● Certificate
● Publications● $700
● Certificate
● Publications● $300
● Certificate
● Publications
TIMELINE
Meeting deadlines is crucial for competition eligibility. Participants must prioritize timelines, completing each phase promptly. Timely submissions allow for thorough review and refinement, enhancing overall quality. Embracing proactive time management fosters efficiency and excellence within the competition. Dates are subject to change. Please refer to the official website for updates.
Alberto Francini is an Italian architect and urban planner, co-founder of Metrogramma, a prominent architecture and urban planning office established in 1999 in Milan. He holds a PhD in Architecture and Urban Planning from the Polytechnic of Milan. Francini began his professional journey with Giuliano Fiorenzoli in New York and later collaborated with Massimiliano Fuksas in Rome. In 2017, he launched his own practice, ALBERTO FRANCINI Architecture & Urban Planning (Milan/Doha), through which he has led projects across Italy, Qatar, and Russia, with a focus on culturally rooted and forward-looking urban design.
His work has been exhibited internationally at Architettura in Digitale, Comunità Resilienti, and the Venice Architecture Biennale (2021, 2010, 2008). In 2010, he co-curated the “Barbara Cappochin” Architecture Biennale with Metrogramma. His publications include the books Super Infrastructures (2003) and 4city (2001), along with articles in Domus, Abitare, Metropolis, The Plan, and The Plan Journal.
A dedicated educator and practitioner, Francini has taught at Politecnico di Milano, the University of Ferrara, and South Ural State University. He currently leads architecture studios at KSU’s Florence Program.
Francini’s work explores the intersection of urban form, infrastructure, and cultural identity. With extensive experience in Doha, he brings a deep understanding of design in hot, arid climates, making him especially attuned to architecture that is context-responsive, technologically integrated, and publicly engaging.
Michael den Otter joined OMA in 2018 and worked on a number of competitions and projects across different continents, including Apollolaan 171 and the Bajeskwartier in Amsterdam, the renovation of the Egyptian Museum in Turin, and various high-rise towers in the Middle East. He has led the Innovation Partnership Schools project for OMA and is responsible for the creative direction of the Schools by the CircleWood construction system.
Michael holds a Master of Architecture from the Eindhoven University of Technology and the University of Sydney in Australia. He has specific interests in public and cultural architecture, as well as sustainable and circular design.
Michael brings to the jury panel a sharp critical eye and a strong interest in projects that integrate cultural heritage, digital innovation, and spatial narrative. His cross-disciplinary perspective and experience within one of the world’s leading design firms make him a valuable voice in identifying work that is bold, thoughtful, and impactful.
Sumit Sahdev is an architect with a global design perspective shaped by education and practice across the United States and abroad. He earned his B.Arch from Cornell University (2005) and an M.Arch II from Princeton University (2009). Sumit has worked with renowned firms including OMA New York, Stan Allen Architect, Studio Hillier, SOM, and Herzog & de Meuron in San Francisco, and collaborated with Project Room in Los Angeles, contributing to a wide range of commercial, residential, retail, transportation, and cultural projects in the U.S., Japan, China, and the UAE.
His experience spans scales—from finely crafted interiors to towers and urban infrastructure—bringing a sensitivity to both detail and broader urban conditions. With particular relevance to this competition, Sumit’s work often engages complex site and programmatic relationships through a process that values curiosity, clarity, and cultural responsiveness. He is especially interested in creating architecture that connects people through context-driven design and meaningful spatial experiences.
Simon McKenzie is an architect and educator based in San Francisco. Before joining Feldman Architecture in 2024, he spent seven years working at the international office of Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill, where he worked on projects at a variety of scales from their early conception through to construction document phases. Simon also has experience at acclaimed offices such as OMA, Coop Himmelb(l)au, and the Research and Development Laboratory of 3XN.
Simon gained his Bachelor of Architecture Studies from the University of Waterloo and Master of Architecture at McGill University. At McGill, he received the AIA Henry Adams Medal and the RAIC Gold Medal for being the top architecture graduate. For the last five years, he has also taught a fourth-year design studio at the Academy of Art University, while maintaining his fulltime position at SOM. Simon’s approach to design combines functional elements of program and site together with experiential elements of phenomenology and narrative.
Sherry Li is a leading voice at the intersection of design, media, and public engagement. As the Founder of ArchiDogs—where she also serves as Chief Brand Consultant and Editor-in-Chief—she brings a multidisciplinary perspective grounded in both architecture and landscape architecture.
She holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and dual degrees in Architecture (B.Arch and M.Arch) from Southeast University. Her professional journey began at internationally renowned firms such as Elkus Manfredi Architects in Boston and NBBJ in Shanghai, where she gained valuable experience across a range of design scales and contexts.
For over a decade, Sherry has been dedicated to shaping cultural narratives around the built environment through strategic branding, design communication, and media curation. Combining hands-on design expertise with sharp editorial insight, she offers a thoughtful and forward-looking perspective in evaluating projects that engage with landscape, culture, and community.
JURY
Each jury undergoes meticulous nomination, consisting of top-tier professionals whose expertise closely aligns with the competition's theme. This rigorous selection process ensures that every jury member embodies excellence and relevance in their respective fields.
Outstanding participants may receive job or internship offers, supported by the jury panel and their connections, to advance their careers in design and architecture.
EVALUATION
These criteria are meticulously crafted to ensure a comprehensive and fair evaluation of each submission, reflecting our commitment to excellence, creativity, and practical feasibility.
1 - 10 Points
The design must respond to and harmonize with its surroundings, considering cultural, environmental, and social contexts.
1 - 10 Points
The design should achieve a balance between aesthetic appeal and practical functionality, enhancing the user experience while fulfilling its intended purpose.
1 - 10 Points
The design must effectively address the spatial requirements and relationships between different programmatic elements, demonstrating efficient and thoughtful organization of spaces.
1 - 10 Points
The design ideas and concepts must be clearly and effectively conveyed, utilizing drawings, models, and other visual representations to communicate the project’s vision.
1 - 10 Points
The design should seamlessly connect architecture and landscape, with outdoor spaces supporting events, learning, and daily use. Plazas and gardens must offer climate-responsive comfort while enhancing public life and reinforcing the museum’s cultural role.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Proposals should demonstrate a thoughtful integration of architecture, technology, culture, and public life. The museum must function as both a landmark destination and a responsive civic space—celebrating Egypt’s heritage while looking toward the future.
Design a museum that stands as a civic icon—visually compelling, publicly inviting, and symbolically meaningful to both Egyptians and global visitors. It should respectfully engage with Egypt’s rich historical context, drawing inspiration from its architectural language, spatial principles, and material heritage without resorting to pastiche.
Incorporate passive design strategies, local materials, and energy-efficient systems suited to Egypt’s arid climate. Consider solar orientation, natural ventilation, water use, and thermal comfort to ensure long-term environmental resilience.
The architecture must support immersive technologies—VR, AR, holography, and interactive media—seamlessly and flexibly. Spaces should be designed to accommodate evolving tech infrastructure while maintaining strong spatial and experiential quality.
The landscape is an essential extension of the museum experience. Design outdoor plazas, gardens, and shaded gathering areas that support cultural events, learning, and leisure—responsive to climate and seamlessly connected to indoor spaces.
Ensure the entire site is welcoming and inclusive, meeting universal design standards. Provide clear wayfinding, barrier-free access, and safe, secure zones for visitors, staff, and artifact management—including service access and back-of-house logistics.
Prioritize intuitive circulation, legibility, and a sense of narrative throughout the building and site. Visitors should feel guided and immersed from arrival to exhibition, with moments of discovery and reflection both indoors and outdoors.
DELIVERABLES
To correctly participate in the competition, participants must upload the following materials. The materials cannot contain any name or reference to designers except in the Registration Form. Submissions that fail to follow the rule or naming convention will be disqualified and not reviewed.
● One Cover Image, 1920x1080px, .jpg format
● It should showcase the best of the project and will be used in publications
● A A4 .word format, 300 to 500 words maximum
● Text only and must be brief and written in English
FAQ
All the questions related to the competition can be emailed to us at info@design-unlimited.online, indicating the following subject: “FAQ – Renewable Energy Research Center of Iceland”. Answers to all questions will be published on the FAQ online section, which will be regularly updated.
Add a Title
● This competition embraces an open registration to all students and young architects worldwide. Eligible participants include students in architecture and related fields accredited by their local Ministry of Education.
● This competition allows participants to enter either individually or as a team, with a maximum of five members per team.
● Every team must have at least one member aged 18 to 40 years old. For individual participants, this means they must be within the age range of 18 to 40 to qualify as a one-member team.
● Teams can be composed by members of different nationalities and there are no restrictions about country of residence
● There is no restriction on the citizenship of the participants.
● Download and complete the Registration Form, and make the payment for the required Registration Fee.
● Email the Registration Form and Proof of Payment (screenshot of the PayPal receipt) to info@design-unlimited.online
● Receiving the Registration Code, project information package, and background DWG file.
Add a Title
● Early-Bird Registration - €39 / team*
● Standard Registration - €49 / team*
● Late Registration - €59 / team*
● Have Friends Pay via PayPal on Your Behalf:
Ask a friend from another country where PayPal is supported to complete the payment for you. Once they have done so, please send us both the proof of payment (screenshot of the PayPal receipt) and the transaction ID. This method is generally the most convenient.
● International Wire Transfer:
If PayPal is not an option, we can accept an international wire transfer. Please note that this method incurs an additional USD 15 transaction fee (charged by the banks). Contact us if you wish to proceed with the wire transfer, and we will provide the necessary banking details.
● Checklist：
1. Project Cover Image
2. Project Panel x2
3. Project Statement
4. Final Registration Form
● Attach all items separately in the email and send them to info@design-unlimited.online. A compressed file (RAR, ZIP, 7Z) is NOT acceptable.
● Each Material shall follow the naming format: Your Registration Code + File Name:
i.e., ABC123 - Cover_Image, ABC123 - Panel_1, ABC123 - Panel_2, ABC123 - Statement, ABC123 - Registration_Form● Submissions that fail to follow the naming convention will be disqualified and not reviewed.
● Participants agree and abide by the content and competition rules of this competition. The competition organizing committee has the final right to interpret the competition rules.
● To be eligible for the competition, participants must submit all the required materials. Any missing items will result in disqualification.
● Electronic drawings and videos must not contain any text or visuals associated with the author's name or organization. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.
● Language: The official language of the competition is English (the title of the work must be provided in English, and the content must at least include a design description expressed in English)
● In group participation, only the group leader shall serve as the point of contact, with no direct contact with individual group members.
● Participants retain the copyright of their entries. However, the competition organizer reserves the right to exercise additional copyright permissions apart from signing the entries.
● Works that have participated in other competitions or that use creative ideas that others have published in public are not allowed to participate in the competition.
● Each contestant is permitted to register for only one participating group and may not register for multiple groups.
● The participating team information shall be based on the Registration Form in the final submission.
● The registration fee is non-refundable, unless the organizer cancels the competition due to force majeure circumstances.
● 11:59 pm CET
● This architectural competition prohibits the inclusion of any AI-generated graphics in the final submission. However, participants are allowed to utilize AI in the design process.
● When you submit the project, the final participants will be based on the final registration form so that changes can be made to the names. Note that the Registration Code is unique and can only be used for one submission.
● There is no height limit. The jury will consider your building height based on "Context Integration" as part of the final evaluation.
● The provided program size is intended as a guideline. Minor adjustments are permissible, but any significant deviations must be explicitly justified within the proposal.
● Participants may propose additional facilities or programs that enhance their design concept, provided such additions align with the competition’s goals and adhere to its specified constraints.
● As long as all required outdoor areas meet the specified area requirements, the ratio can be flexible.
● Not required but strongly encouraged.
We appreciate all those who dedicated their time, materials, and resources to the competition. These supports and contributions were instrumental in creating a unique and enriching experience for all participants.