Tamer ElSerafi

advisor

Effat University

Saudi Arabia

Dr. Tamer ElSerafi is the Head of the Architecture Department and Director of the Master of Science… more

The "Iteru Biblioteque" project presents a strong conceptual vision, skillfully merging cultural, educational, and recreational activities within a striking architectural form that responds elegantly to its Nile River context. The emphasis on panoramic views, open plazas, and outdoor engagement areas successfully promotes a fluid relationship between built and natural environments. Structurally, the use of a steel frame and truss system to create wide open spans and support the glass volumes is appropriate and expressive. However, while the overarching idea is powerful, the project would benefit from deeper development in the articulation of spatial sequences, shading strategies for the glazed surfaces, and the integration of environmental technologies beyond basic passive strategies. More detailed attention to the relationship between the massing and human scale would also enhance the project's experiential quality. Overall, this is an ambitious and promising design that thoughtfully addresses cultural and environmental contexts but would benefit from refinement in environmental performance and interior spatial richness.