The Grand Egyptian Museum Announces Trial Opening

Goppion SpA, based in Milan, Italy, is proud to announce its contribution to the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza, Egypt, just outside Cairo. Over two decades in the making, this billion-dollar cultural mega-project occupies a site of around 500,000 square meters adjacent to the Pyramids UNESCO World Heritage Site. It will be Egypt’s largest museum and set to be one of the world’s leading scientific, historical and archaeological study centers.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly revealed that the doors to the GEM will begin to open on a limited basis on October 16th, marking the start of a trial period during which select areas and halls of the museum will be accessible to visitors.

Notes for editors:

• GEM represents 3,500 years of ancient Egyptian history, revealed through a collection of more than 100,000 artifacts.
• The architectural design of the GEM was awarded to Heneghan Peng in 2003. Atelier Brückner was appointed to design the Tutankhamun galleries, Grand Stairs, Piazza Atrium, and the Children’s Museum.
• Goppion is responsible for the design, manufacture and installation of 122 display cases at GEM, to protect and display the new Museum’s brimming treasure trove of ancient artifacts.
• Goppion’s work includes 50 customized, conservation-grade museum display cases for the spectacular Tutankhamun Gallery, which hosts a complete collection of some 5,000 artifacts from the world-famous pharaoh’s tomb – on public display together here for the first time.
• Among the star attractions are King Tut’s five gold chariots, which require a huge showcase – 12m x 5m x 3m height.
• The very strictest conservation requirements are met in all Goppion’s display cases, which house priceless and very fragile textiles, metals, wood, feathers and other organic materials.
• Goppion’s state-of-the-art solutions include features such as airtightness (less than 0.1 AER), passive and active climate control (managing relative humidity, temperature and nitrogen levels), dedicated LED adjustable lighting, and personalized interiors.
• Magnetic concealed gaskets, security concealed locks, 0.1 airtightness, glass joints, and appropriate opening systems are combined within a wide variety of showcases interiors.
• A centralized, remote-controlled climate control system provides a diffusion of treated air through significant distances, and differentiated RH level in different showcases.
• Similar construction systems incorporate both aesthetic and functional qualities. Plinths, panels, shelving, back panels, partitions are all additional design elements provided by Goppion when creating the final displays.

Much anticipated, GEM will begin to open on a limited basis on October 16th. This soft opening will include a limited trial of the museum’s exhibition hall and a gradual unveiling of other sections as Egypt prepares for the grand inauguration of the completed project.