Grand Egyptian Museum, Cairo

Grand Egyptian Museum – Cairo, Egypt

Project overview

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), located on the Giza plateau near the pyramids, is one of the world’s largest archaeological museums. Designed by the Dublin‑based practice Heneghan Peng Architects and supported by an international team including engineers Arup and Buro Happold, the museum covers approximately 170 000 m² of exhibition and conservation space. The building’s triangular plan and stepped roof allude to the geometry of the neighbouring pyramids, while vast glazed surfaces offer visitors glimpses of the ancient monuments.

Design challenge

Exhibiting millennia‑old artefacts requires strict control over light levels and temperature. Direct sunlight can damage sensitive materials, yet visitors expect naturally lit galleries rather than artificially lit black boxes. The desert climate of Cairo subjects the building envelope to extreme heat, with roof temperatures surpassing 70 °C; meanwhile, the interior environment must be maintained at around 23 °C to protect the collections. The design team needed a daylighting system that would deliver low, uniform illuminance levels (~200 lx) while preventing thermal ingress.

RetroSolar strategy

The solution adopted was a roof glazed with insulated units containing RETROLuxTherm 12 mm micro‑louvers. These louvers, integrated within the triple‑glazed panels, redirect diffuse skylight deep into the exhibition halls while shielding direct solar radiation. Because the louvers are encapsulated within the insulated glass unit, they remain clean and maintenance‑free despite the dusty environment. The system covers about 5 500 m² of roof area, forming a continuous luminous ceiling that guides visitors through the galleries. The micro‑louvers are oriented to follow the linear bands of glass that align with the pyramids, preserving the visual connection to the historic site.

Building physics and performance

The combination of micro‑louvers and high‑performance glazing yields a U‑value well below that of conventional glass roofs and a very low solar heat‑gain coefficient. By reflecting direct sunlight back out, the louvers minimise radiant heat transfer and allow only diffuse light to enter. This results in a cool, shadow‑free interior with an average illuminance of around 200 lx, suitable for the conservation of artefacts. The homogeneous light distribution reduces contrasts on display surfaces and eliminates the need for additional diffusers or shading devices. The micro‑louvers also prevent ultraviolet radiation from reaching the artefacts, further protecting them from deterioration.

Architectural outcome and significance

The stepped, translucent roof of the Grand Egyptian Museum provides visitors with a calm, daylit environment that contrasts with the harsh exterior climate. The ability to see the pyramids through carefully positioned glazing bars enhances the narrative connection between Egypt’s ancient and modern cultural achievements. The project demonstrates how integrated daylighting technology can resolve the tension between transparency and preservation in museum design. By combining sophisticated environmental control with architectural symbolism, the GEM sets a benchmark for sustainable cultural institutions in arid climates.