Il Cairo, Egypt. Panoramic view of the construction site of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Egypt, with numerous construction cranes in the desert landscape and the Pyramids of Giza visible on the horizon.

The pyramids of Giza and digital culture: where it all began

Grand Egyptian Museum, Cairo

At a difficult historical moment for architects, when the construction sector was overwhelmed by the economic crisis, we were fortunate to be called to contribute to the construction design of the facades for the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo. For the first time, as we embarked on an international commission, we had to engage with a highly complex BIM protocol that required us to design in Revit. The first challenge—for a team accustomed to working in Archicad—was precisely to identify a reliable method for model interoperability. Although we had already been adopting virtual building—three-dimensional design with drawing extraction directly from the model—this opportunity allowed us to link data to the models and fully grasp the potential of parametric information design.
Through this experience, we not only discovered the power of parametric BIM design, but also came to realise the importance of investing in this methodology—already widely used across the Middle East but still in its early stages in Italy. It was in this fertile ground that DVA put down its roots: with an awareness of its own technical know-how, but placing a bold bet on a design approach driven by a completely new vision. This very vision of architecture is what we have carried forward since DVA became an independent company in 2015, with the goal of sharing the opportunities offered by BIM with all actors in the construction supply chain—private clients, contractors, and investors alike. Now, five years later, just as the GEM finally opens its doors to the world, we are proud to say that our bet has paid off.
More + Less -
Group companies
Bimfactory, DVA
Category
Digital consulting
Assignment
Working drawings and construction design
Client
Italmesh
Year
2013
Il Cairo, Egypt. Panoramic view of the construction site of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Egypt, with numerous construction cranes in the desert landscape and the Pyramids of Giza visible on the horizon.

480.000

GFA

[m²]

47.835

MESH PANELS

4

DUPLICATED PARAMETRIC ELEMENTS

“BIM applied to one of the most iconic construction sites in the world. It was 2013 when we first stepped onto the site—what an incredible experience to work under the watchful gaze of the Pyramids of Giza.”

Armando Casella
Architect | Co-founder DVArea

Other projects

Commercial
Ristopub ChorusLife, Bergamo. Interior of a contemporary restaurant-pub featuring exposed concrete structural arches, a centrally lit counter, elegant furnishings with semicircular turquoise velvet booths and round marble tables.

A restaurant project for the ChorusLife Smart District

Ristopub ChorusLife, Bergamo

Digital consulting
EDQM Strasbourg, France. View of the EDQM building, featuring a modern, angular glass facade with visible metal structures that emphasize its contemporary design. The building is surrounded by a well-maintained urban area, with trees lining the avenue and a clear blue sky in the background.

Digital implementation plan for excellence in international medicine

EDQM, Strasbourg (France)

Educational
H-Campus, Roncade. Aerial view of the school campus, featuring a circular layout with a central courtyard, rooftops covered with photovoltaic panels, and extensive surrounding green areas.
© Marco Zanta

Building Digitally for the Knowledge of Tomorrow

H-Campus, Roncade (Tv)

Health and wellbeing
New Care Home, Edolo. Exterior view of a contemporary residence nestled in the Alpine landscape, featuring large glass openings that reveal communal spaces for music and social activities. The design highlights the integration of architecture, nature, and well-being.

Community Care

New nursing home, Edolo (BS)

Hospitality
Studentato Collegiate, Milan. Night view of the courtyard of the Frigia project, featuring a lit linear façade, a wide shared space equipped with seating and trees, and a scenographic backlit staircase connecting the different levels of the residential complex.
© Impresa Percassi

Construction Design in BIM, Project Coordination and On-site Assistance

Collegiate Student Housing, Milan

Infrastructure
Molo Mind, Milan. Architectural rendering of a building with external stairs, highlighted by blue pipes that create a dynamic and innovative effect, contrasting with the minimalist and modern structure of the building.

Managing the Complexity of an International Project

MoLo MIND, Milan

Mixed use
Concesio, Brescia. Aerial view of the urban masterplan for Concesio, showing the layout of residential and functional buildings surrounded by greenery, pedestrian and cycling paths, and the presence of parking areas and public spaces along the river.

A green and regenerated neighbourhood for Concesio

Ex Faini Area, Concesio (BS)

Residential
Balducciododici, Milan. Perspective view of the inner courtyard of the Balduccio residential complex, featuring façades with vertical ochre and white frames, green loggias with abundant vegetation, and pedestrian paths set within a landscaped environment.

Modern design and low environmental impact for AbitareIn’s new project

Balducciododici, Milan

Sport
Artistic Gymnastics Hall and Indoor Athletics Arena, Brescia. Interior rendering of the indoor athletics arena featuring an oval track, areas for jumping and sprint events, and spectator stands. The space is adorned with banners from the Italian Athletics Federation and the European Union, suspended from the arena’s metal roof structure.

New Infrastructure for Sporting Excellence

Artistic Gymnastics Arena and Indoor Athletics Arena, Brescia

Workplace and industrial
MIND Area, Milan. Exterior view of Palazzo Italia, a building from EXPO Milano 2015. In the foreground, the wooden lattice base of the Tree of Life rises above a water basin with fountains.

Human Technopole Foundation

MIND Area, Milan