'An Architectural Pilgrimage': DLR Group's Scott Pryde on Campus Development
DLR Group is a globally recognized design firm assigned to design the expansion of AUC New Cairo's upcoming Extended Education Hub and NextGen Student Living and Learning Spaces, which are part of AUC's visionary Campus 2026 development project, with an ethos of creating spaces that emphasize learning and social development. With over 31 offices worldwide, DLR Group’s expansive talent will be involved in this project, with teams from the United States and Dubai offices working to provide a holistic and integrated design solution.
We sat with Principal and DLR Group Design Director Scott Pryde to learn about the team's design philosophy and inspiration.
What's the significance of this collaboration with AUC?
The collaboration with The American University in Cairo is of significant importance. We were delighted to learn of our involvement in the design of the future campus. The DLR Group team has been working closely with the AUC team and selected consultants to define a clear brief that will respect the future aspirations of the campus and its extended master plan. As an architect, I see this as an essential opportunity to contribute to the success of AUC’s community and create a balanced and harmonious addition to this future environment.
You’ll be working on the Extended Education Hub and NextGen Student Living and Learning Spaces. What is your primary focus?
Our initial mission is a comprehensive analysis of the existing campus functionality, identifying its achievements and areas of improvement. We have dedicated a significant amount of time in consultation with President Ahmad Dallal, faculty members and various focus groups. This in-depth research has allowed us to gain a holistic understanding of each facet of the campus's components, integrated design elements and spatial relationships to ensure the new structures seamlessly harmonize. Our primary focus is on cultivating a nuanced comprehension of how these new building offers will impact the overall campus and its surrounding community.
How is this project unique from others you’ve worked on?
As an architect, this project feels like an architectural pilgrimage. The vibrant campus has beautiful buildings and landscapes, offering something new to discover everywhere you look. Students clearly love these spaces. A seamless array of buildings and spaces linking the campus as a whole. The importance of considering the project from an outside perspective, understanding how the buildings will respond to their context, reviewing the design guidelines of the existing campus, alongside the levels and general constraints of the site will be an important start to develop a clear strategy of how these design elements will come together.
What are you looking forward to the most?
The DLR Group is excited to work with the fantastic team on campus, whether they are students or part of the leadership team. We are very much looking forward to developing this project to ensure it captures a deeply rooted response culturally, dynamically and with all principles as part of our journey of design with all stakeholders. Our aim is to ensure our outcome will benefit the campus for the next 50 to 100 years. This project's success will be a lasting achievement for AUC and indeed Cairo as a whole.
What’s your vision for the designs?
We're focused on understanding the local culture and environment to ensure we create the right buildings for the people who will use them. People are our top priority. In terms of design, we are studying how to use passive design and Egypt's climate to make our buildings and landscapes more energy-efficient for heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting. We're also looking ahead to a future with zero carbon emissions. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach; we need to consider all these aspects together.
What elements will you incorporate into the designs to preserve the AUC identity?
It's crucial to respect the essence of the AUC campus when working with buildings that have such a unique history and character. Architecturally, we anticipate a consistent and grounded design theme that harmonizes with the campus, emphasizing technology and renewable energy. We aim to link the existing spaces with the new additions seamlessly. Understanding the sourcing and usage of materials is vital. At this early stage, we're developing the framework for these elements and layers to ensure the success of the future campus and indeed its students.
