A cultural complex on the Red Sea coast, with striking arched colonnades of reinforced concrete. 

This spectacular concert hall is located on the east coast of Egypt and is coupled with an accompanying conference centre, welcoming areas and landscaping. Part of the overall architectural plan are striking colonnade type walkways leading visitors to the main interior spaces.

Eckersley O’Callaghan engineered the structure and facade of the the 900 seat concert venue which is surrounded by 400m of the colonnade walkways and a 1m deep lagoon. The series of reinforced concrete, arch barrel columns provide a vital shaded perimeter in the locations high temperature. The columns rise up to 27m tall and sit on a 7m diagonal g rid and are internally wrapped in 12,000m2 of glass fibre reinforced concrete.

A magnificent 17m tall fully glazed foyer welcomes visitors on arrival to the concert hall. The building comprises of 300mm solid diaphragm acoustic walls and has been designed to resist seismic forces. Construction on the project has been accelerated with both structures expected to be completed within 17 months of construction starting on site.

Location 
El Gouna, Egypt

Client 
Orascom

Architect
Studio Seilern Architects