Grand Egyptian Museum

A monumental feat of modern engineering

BESIX, in joint venture with Orascom Construction, led the full construction of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The scope included structural works, advanced MEP systems, and climate-controlled environments for over 20,000 artefacts. The building’s immense scale and complexity made its construction exceptionally challenging from start to finish.

Project overview

Commissioned by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, BESIX and Orascom Construction undertook the complete construction of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Designed by Henegan Peng Architects, the 490,000 m² museum is the largest ever built dedicated to a single civilisation. With no parallel axes and no repeating angles, the structure posed extraordinary technical challenges in both design and execution.

Scope of works

The BESIX-Orascom Construction joint venture was responsible for all construction activities, including structural works, advanced mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, and secure environments for the preservation of approximately 20,000 historical artifacts. This included showcases, micro-climate control, lighting, and labeling systems.

Engineering highlights

The GEM is a marvel of engineering complexity. It features 25-metre-high ceilings, 20-metre cantilevers, and Africa’s first double-glazed façade supported by prestressed cables. The museum integrates over 30 MEP and IT systems and includes galleries, a conference center, a 3D experience, and educational spaces. Coordinated through advanced BIM with over 300 partners, the project achieved remarkable feats such as constructing around the 11-metre statue of Ramesses II before structural completion, and relocating the 4,500-year-old Khufu Solar Boat, transported 8.5 km using a self-propelled modular transporter and then lifted 30 metres into the building with millimetric precision.

With no parallel axes and no repeating angles, the structure offered a unique opportunity for exceptional technical innovation in both design and execution.

Folded cover slab

Among the architectural challenges was a massive white concrete roof slab spanning up to 40 metres, and the “silettos” - 26-metre-high downward-pointing structures flanking the grand staircase. A standout feature is the 33,000 m² folded cover slab, consisting of cascading panels with no identical square metre. Its dimensions, complexity, and sloped geometry demanded extreme precision to ensure perfect alignment of the roof’s underside and suspended ceilings.

Award-winning excellence in construction

The Grand Egyptian Museum stands as a landmark of modern construction, reflecting BESIX and Orascom Construction’s dedication to engineering excellence and cultural preservation. It has received numerous prestigious awards, including Commercial Project of the Year (Construction Week Egypt 2021), MEP Project of the Year (CBNME 2021), and Best Construction Project (Autodesk Excellence Awards 2022). In 2024, it was named Community Project of the Year (BIG 5 Egypt), Highly Commended by FIDIC, and Prix Versailles Award in category "The World's Most Beautiful Museums".