Bibliotheca Alexandrina is the result of an international
architectural competition in 1989 organized by the International Union of Architects,
UNESCO, and the Government of Egypt. The design submitted by SNØHETTA, an
international group of architects based in Norway, was awarded First Prize
among 524 entries from 52 countries.
The 85,000 square meter Bibliotheca has been heralded as
a significant milestone in architectural, engineering, information science and
cultural heritage. The new library is built on a magnificent site alongside
Alexandria’s ancient harbor in the historic center of the city. The 11-story
library can contain up to 4 million volumes of books, a figure that can be
expanded up to 8 million in the future by the use of compact storage.
BIBLIOTHECA ALEXANDRINA provides more than a Library. In
addition to the library facilities, the Bibliotheca also contains other cultural
and educational functions including a planetarium, several museums, a school
for information science, and conservation facilities.
BIBLIOTHECA ALEXANDRINA’s Striking Contemporary Design
Features characterized by its circular, tilting form, the building spans 160
meters in diameter and reaches up to 32 meters in height, while also diving
some 12 meters into the ground. An open plaza and reflecting pool surrounds the
building, and a footbridge links the city to the nearby University of
Alexandria.