Alexandria Library

Snohetta Architects – Alexandria Library, El Azarbata We El Shatby, Alexandria Egypt, 2002

The Alexandria Library is built on a magnificent site next to the ancient port of Alexandria in the historic center of the city.
The 11-story library can hold up to 4 million book volumes and can be expanded to 8 million thanks to compact storage. In addition to the library facilities there are other cultural and educational functions including a planetarium, several museums, a school for information science and conservation facilities. The architecture is characterized by its circular and inclined shape, The building extends for 160 meters in diameter and reaches a height of 32 meters, while for about 12 meters it is underground. An open plaza and a reflecting pool surround the building and a walkway connects the city to the nearby University of Alexandria.