PROGRAM
Border Crossing Station

LOCATION
Border at Taba, Egypt / Israel

ABSTRACT
“Respire” is an act consisting inhalation and exhalation of air to maintain life. A building that serves mainly as a mean of circulation needs a healthy respiration design. 

The border between Egypt and Israel is located at Taba, a small resort town on the Egypt side. Large amount of people passes through the border every day from both sides. They include tourists, drivers, workers, merchants, and government officials. The current condition of the site has limitation due to the dramatic topographic changes. A steep hill by the land and the Red Sea by the shore, there is only a narrow pathway that has to contain both vehicles and people. Furthermore, the abundance of sunlight and lack of humidity result in a climate that is dry and warm through a year. The design of the border crossing station bases its concept on RESPIRATION. “Respire” is an act consisting inhalation and exhalation of air to maintain life. A building that serves mainly as a mean of circulation needs to be designed to respire healthily.

Due to the lack of rainfall, the building does not need to be fully enclosed. Natural cooling is achieved by reducing direct sunlight intake and opening the envelop throughout the building. Each concrete modular shell is produced by carving away a rectangle. When assembled, the minor void of retangles become slits of openings on the skin of the building.