Alexandria Underwater Museum

Immersive Architectural Simulation & Heritage Storytelling

Client: NIOF — National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (Egypt) Year: 2022 Category: Immersive Simulation • Interactive Experience • Architectural Concept • Cultural Heritage

Project Overview:

Alexandria’s Eastern Harbor conceals a rare layer of history—submerged artifacts and ancient sites that define the city’s legacy. To bring this hidden world to the surface, Metas developed an immersive architectural simulation for the Alexandria Underwater Museum concept. This interactive platform was designed to help stakeholders visualize a world-class cultural destination that makes underwater heritage accessible, safe, and memorable for the general public without requiring diving expertise.

Project Goals:

• Visualize the Visitor Journey: Map out a seamless transition from the surface to submerged viewing galleries.
• Bridge Heritage and Accessibility: Demonstrate how architectural storytelling can translate complex underwater sites into engaging public experiences.
• Concept Validation: Enable stakeholders to evaluate the feasibility, scale, and emotional impact of the museum through a life-like walkthrough.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Provide a high-impact, presentation-ready tool to secure approvals and support funding discussions for large-scale cultural initiatives.

The Experience Concept:

1. Redefining Underwater Exploration: The concept shifts the focus from specialized diving to inclusive viewing. By simulating designed exploration paths, the project proves that underwater heritage can be a mainstream tourism asset.
2. Global Inspiration & Innovation: The simulation integrates concepts inspired by international underwater viewing systems—such as submerged cabins and cable car systems—to show a path toward a safe, accessible, and high-tech visitor experience.
3. Evaluation-Driven Design: The experience is structured to let decision-makers assess:
   • The Sequence of Experience: Arrival, exploration, viewing, and educational touchpoints.
   • Spatial Scale: Real-world proportions of the galleries relative to the submerged environment.
   • Visual Clarity: The effectiveness of the viewing angles and the clarity of the storytelling.

Scope & Deliverables:

• Immersive Concept Simulation: A fully realized 3D architectural simulation of the museum’s interior and exterior underwater environments.
• Interactive Experience Flow: A guided digital journey designed specifically for executive review and stakeholder approvals.
• Visual Storytelling Assets: High-fidelity renderings and walkthroughs that communicate the museum’s design intent and visitor impact.
• Feasibility Visualization: Practical representation of how architectural structures interact with the marine environment.

Why Immersive Simulation for Cultural Projects:

• Shared Vision: Ensures all government and cultural stakeholders are aligned on a single, concrete vision of the project.
• Reduced Uncertainty: Validates visitor flow and environmental impact early, reducing the risks associated with unconventional underwater construction.
• Increased Funding Potential: Provides a tangible, explorable concept that makes a compelling case for the project’s ROI and cultural value.
• Enhanced Execution: Allows for the refinement of educational and interactive elements long before physical construction begins.

Summary:

The Alexandria Underwater Museum project showcases Metas’ ability to utilize immersive technology for cultural preservation and architectural innovation. By transforming a complex underwater concept into a tangible, interactive experience, we provided NIOF with the tools necessary to evaluate, present, and advance a visionary project that celebrates Egypt’s submerged history.