Samih Sawiris, chairman of Orascom Development Holding (ODH), has laid the foundation stone for El Gouna Conference and Culture Center, marking the second phase of the cultural complex, Invest-Gate reports.

Located in close proximity to Technische Universität Berlin (TUB), Campus El Gouna, the complex includes a concert hall, a plaza, and monumental colonnades. It is aimed at creating a landmark iconic destination that will be a unique conference center and cultural hub, according to a press release on August 8.

Set to host the fourth edition of El Gouna Film Festival in 2020, the concert hall is expected to accommodate up to 600 persons and a 120-musician orchestra, while the conference center will be equipped with a 2,000-seat auditorium, seating 2,000 persons, in addition to meeting/VIP rooms to hold international seminars and conferences.

Studio Seilen Architect is responsible for carrying out the project’s engineering and architectural designs, endeavoring to build an exceptional architectural masterpiece that takes into account the geography of the place as well as the distinct lines and sizes of architecture.

Hailing the newest addition, Sawiris remarked, “The establishment of El Gouna Conference and Culture Center has long been a dream. I was passionate about classical music and often attended concerts, especially the Berlin Philharmonic and Herbert von Karajan … I plan to make El Gouna Convention and Culture Center a global hub for classical music.”

ِOn his part, Khaled Bichara, the company’s CEO, noted, “ODH has been keen to combine the best experiences and minds to achieve its vision at El Gouna Convention and Culture Center. Architects and designers chosen and involved in the project are the best in the world to achieve our dream.”