![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-01.jpg)
Automotive Showroom and Leisure Centre by Manuelle Gautrand Architecture
French architects Manuelle Gautrand Architecture have designed a car showroom and leisure centre for Cairo, Egypt.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-04.jpg)
The structure is based on a series of connecting circles and spherical cavities.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-03.jpg)
"The intersection between them creates all the circulations, atriums, and visual perspectives through the whole building," explain the architects.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-02.jpg)
Made of concrete, the building will be made up of identical modules which can be added together to form larger showrooms.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-17.jpg)
The building will incorporate showrooms for several car brands, cafés, a food court, a media park and two cinemas.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-18.jpg)
Exterior images: Manuelle Gautrand Architecture. Interior images: Arthur Couprie.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-16.jpg)
Manuelle Gautrand Architecture also designed the C42 showroom and brand experience for Citroën on the Champs-Élysée in Paris.
Here's some more information from the architects:
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AUTOMOTIVE SHOWROOM AND LEISURE CENTRE
The program is a mixed-use one, with show rooms dedicated to several car brands, and also a lot of common facilities, around leisure: several cafés, a food court, a media park, two cinemas. The richness of this program is very interesting; with the potential of giving a vibrant place of attraction to the new district Allegria.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-14.jpg)
Our objective was to express in an innovative way this powerful program.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-15.jpg)
The guideline of the project is beginning with the car, and the memorable platforms that are used in all the trade fairs.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-06.jpg)
Most part of the time cars are exhibited like art-pieces on those turning platforms.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-07.jpg)
The entire project is imagined around this monumental way of showing cars.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-08.jpg)
The volume is conceived with the circle as a begin, and develops itself in a vast sculpture of circles and spheres, which are stuck together.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-09.jpg)
The intersection between them creates all the circulations, atriums, and visual perspectives through the whole building.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-05.jpg)
The interior space is totally flexible, with the possibility of moving the different showrooms, and also changing the place of cafés and restaurants.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-10.gif)
All the modules are similar, each of them is approximately 80 sqm, and can be dedicated to one show room, or being added to some other to create a big show room of 2, 3 or 4 modules.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-19.gif)
In the middle of the building there is a long atrium, which gives a lot of visual perspectives and helps the visitors to orientate themselves.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-20.gif)
The idea is to build the project entirely in concrete, in pale and delicate colours, which could be a pearly white one.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-21.gif)
The movement of the concrete sculpture makes sometimes, but regularly, small interior spaces, which are curved, to propose some privacy dedicated to VIP lounge, media lounge, small cafés, sales spaces...
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-22.gif)
In contrast with the pearly white concrete, those little rooms could be lined with precious materials and bright colours.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-23.gif)
The volume has different heights, between 10 meters and 20 meters.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-24.gif)
Those heights are displayed mainly on the extremities, allowing a generous exterior terrace on the middle of the roof.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-25.gif)
This terrace can be dedicated to the food court, but we could also think about an exterior cinema.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-26.gif)
The entrance is located on the long west façade, quite emphasized by a canopy.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-27.gif)
All the brand signatures are in two horizontal lines of LED, which enlace the floors, giving a coloured movement behind the glass façade.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-11.jpg)
Client: GB AUTO
Surface: 12.000 m²
Location: Cairo - Egypt
Ongoing studies phase
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/07/automotive-showroom-and-leisure-centre-by-manuelle-gautrand-architecture-12.jpg)