The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a contemporary reimagining of one of history’s most revered centers of knowledge—the ancient Library of Alexandria. The original library, lost to time, symbolized the ambition of human intellect and the universal pursuit of learning. The library, designed by Snøhetta, aimed to revive this legacy, not as a mere reconstruction but as a bold architectural statement that repositions Alexandria as an intellectual and cultural epicenter in the 21st century.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Technical Information
- Architects1-16: Snøhetta
- Location: Alexandria, Egypt
- Area: 85,000 m2 | 915,500 Sq. Ft.
- Project Year: 1995 – 2002
- Photographs: © Gerald Zugmann
The building’s vast circular form alongside the circular Alexandrian harbor recalls the cyclical nature of knowledge, fluid throughout time.
– Snøhetta Architects
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Photographs
Architectural Philosophy: Monumentality and Movement
Positioned along Alexandria’s ancient harbor, the 85,000-square-meter library asserts its presence within the historic fabric of the city while forging connections with its contemporary urban surroundings. The library is both a landmark and a catalyst for urban renewal, initiating infrastructural improvements such as the redevelopment of the Corniche road and revitalization of adjacent districts. Its open plaza and reflecting pool create a seamless threshold between the city and the institution, allowing the building to engage with the public realm rather than operate in isolation.
The circular, tilting volume of the Bibliotheca is an architectural gesture that transcends mere aesthetics. Its form recalls the cyclical nature of knowledge—expanding and contracting through time. Simultaneously, its inclination towards the sky evokes the ancient Pharos Lighthouse, another lost Alexandrian wonder, reinforcing the building’s dual role as both a learning and a cultural monument.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Spatial Organization
At its core, the Bibliotheca is a dynamic spatial experience. The 20,000-square-meter reading room, accommodating up to 2,000 readers, is an architectural feat, designed as a terraced amphitheater spanning seven levels. This configuration defies conventional library layouts, fostering an environment of openness and intellectual exchange. Unlike the rigid compartmentalization seen in many recent library designs, the Bibliotheca’s reading terraces prioritize visual connectivity, accessibility, and efficiency.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the reading room is its north-facing skylights, which allow indirect natural light to permeate the space without exposing books and manuscripts to harmful UV radiation. This careful orchestration of light creates an atmosphere of serenity and contemplation, reinforcing the idea that architecture can actively contribute to the intellectual process. By positioning book stacks beneath each terraced level, the design minimizes retrieval times while ensuring that each reader remains in close proximity to their sources of knowledge.
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is not solely a library; it serves as a multidisciplinary cultural center. The inclusion of a planetarium, museums, a conference center, and a school for information sciences enriches its function, transforming it into a civic institution that bridges academia, research, and public engagement. The addition of a Young Person’s Library further emphasizes the project’s ambition to cultivate knowledge across generations.
Materiality and Technical Execution
The Bibliotheca’s 6,000-square-meter stone wall is among the largest contemporary sculptural facades in the world. Clad in hand-carved Egyptian granite, the wall features alphabetic inscriptions from multiple writing systems, including ancient scripts, Braille, and mathematical notation. This meticulous design choice underscores the fundamental premise of the library: the preservation and celebration of human communication across time and cultures.
Beneath the striking exterior lies one of the most sophisticated structural solutions in contemporary architecture. The tilted circular form, which reaches 32 meters in height and plunges 12 meters underground, is a feat of engineering. The concrete structural core supports the cantilevered roof, while the external stone wall follows a progressively tilting geometry, varying up to 8 degrees from vertical.
To achieve this, large 900-kilogram granite blocks were meticulously mounted using a stainless steel bracket system with slip joints, allowing for minor movements due to thermal expansion and seismic activity. The result is a facade that remains structurally stable while maintaining its sculptural integrity.
The building’s material palette is not only aesthetic but also performative. The thick granite walls provide thermal mass, helping to regulate internal temperatures and reduce energy consumption. The combination of passive daylighting strategies, natural ventilation, and advanced climate control systems ensures the comfort of its users while minimizing its ecological footprint.
Appraisal and Legacy
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina successfully transcends the conventional expectations of a contemporary library. Its reading terraces challenge conventional typologies, its monolithic facade merges architecture with art, and its multifunctional programming positions it as a dynamic cultural entity. The project’s ability to fuse symbolism, urbanism, and technological ingenuity underscores its architectural significance.
Beyond its immediate urban influence, the Bibliotheca has set a precedent for library architecture worldwide. It challenges the notion that digital access negates the need for physical spaces of learning. Instead, it reaffirms the importance of place, materiality, and architectural storytelling in shaping intellectual environments.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Plans
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Image Gallery
About Snøhetta
Snøhetta is a globally renowned architecture and design firm known for its human-centered, environmentally responsive, and context-driven approach to design. Founded in 1989 in Norway, the firm has created iconic projects such as the Oslo Opera House, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion. Snøhetta seamlessly integrates landscape, architecture, and interior design, emphasizing social interaction, sustainability, and innovation in every project. Their work blurs the boundaries between public and private space, fostering inclusive and engaging environments.
Credits and Additional Notes
- Principal Architect: Kjetil Thorsen
- Local Partner Architect: Hamza Associates (Egypt)
- Structural Engineers: Buro Happold (UK)
- Façade Engineering: Norwegian and Egyptian stone specialists
- Client: Government of Egypt, UNESCO, and international donors
- Contractor: Arab Contractors
- Site Area: 85,000 m²
- Built-Up Area: 85,000 m²
- Reading Room Area: 20,000 m²
- Reading Room Capacity: 2,000 readers
- Library Book Capacity: 4 million volumes (expandable to 8 million)
- Building Height: 32 meters
- Excavation Depth: 12 meters
- Diameter of the Circular Structure: 160 meters
- Stone Façade Area: 6,000 m²
- Number of Floors: 11
