Ezzat Sabry hung up the phone call, overcome by excitement and pride. Geomatex, an Egyptian geo-intelligence firm where he serves as founder and managing director, had just been selected to help overhaul the legendary sound-and-light show at the Pyramids of Giza, a spectacle that draws over 800,000 tourists every year.
Sabry’s firm had surveyed the pyramids before, but this job, from a prestigious English design agency spearheading the global project, was on a different scale. “It wasn’t just information gathering,” he recalls. “As part of this international collaboration, we were trusted to bring something fresh, something extraordinary, to the world’s most iconic monuments—right here in our backyard.
Working with software from Bentley Systems, the global infrastructure engineering software giant, Geomatex built a digital twin that became the cornerstone for detailed upgrades and enhancements. The digital model included precise positioning of new spotlights, speakers, wiring systems, and projection technology—all essential components of the revitalized sound-and-light spectacle. “We achieved sub-millimeter accuracy on key monuments like the Sphinx—something rarely accomplished on this scale,” says Kholoud Hassan, Geomatex’s digital twins business unit manager.
“This digital twin goes beyond mere preservation—it actively enhances informed decision-making, promotes sustainability, and unlocks entirely new visitor experiences and educational opportunities.”Initially, they had sought Geomatex’s help in LiDAR mapping, a laser-based technology used to create detailed 3D maps. But Sabry and his team had another idea. Geomatex proposed photogrammetry, a technique that builds precise 3D models from photographs, in combination with Bentley’s iTwin Capture software. The combination offered broader coverage, greater flexibility, and high-quality results with less complexity. “We knew Bentley’s iTwin Capture was the ideal software for us to turn the imagery into a detailed digital twin of the pyramids,” Sabry says.
Opting for photogrammetry brought its own set of challenges. In Egypt, drones are generally banned, Sabry says, and operating them near such a sensitive area requires a web of permits. But Geomatex was well-positioned to navigate the red tape. As the supplier of more than 80% of Egypt’s commercial drones and with ties to government agencies, the company was able to steer through the approval process.
In a single day, three Geomatex teams simultaneously conducted aerial drone flights, capturing comprehensive terrestrial photographs of the pyramids and Sphinx, as well as surrounding temples and archaeological sites.
Using iTwin Capture, Geomatex then seamlessly integrated the aerial imagery from multiple altitudes with close-range, ground-based photography. The result was a meticulous digital twin model offering precision and realism. Selecting the Bentley software was strategic. “iTwin Capture supported us to merge diverse imagery sets into a cohesive, high-resolution digital model,” Sabry notes. “And we were able to do it with relative ease.”
Especially crucial to Geomatex was the software’s feature known as tiling. This process divides large 3D reality models into smaller, manageable sections to optimize processing, storage, and visualization across devices. “Tiling helped us to deliver full-accuracy 3D experiences directly to stakeholders’ mobile devices without requiring heavy processing power,” Sabry says. “It also enhanced project resilience, helping us to isolate processing tasks and mitigate risks from technical disruptions.” Additionally, Geomatex conducted land-owning mapping of existing infrastructure using GNSS, a satellite-based technology for pinpointing exact geographic locations of existing sound and light infrastructure. This step was vital in documenting existing site conditions with accuracy.
The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx illuminated during the sound-and-light show.The upgraded sound-and-light experience, which will officially launch with the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum this summer, is already transforming events at the pyramids. High-profile brands like Dior have showcased preliminary versions of the improved audiovisual installations. “Visitors from around the globe will be astonished to see these ancient structures shown in this new way,” Sabry says. “And it will be particularly rewarding to witness fellow Egyptians reconnecting with their heritage in this exciting fashion.”
Beyond this project, Geomatex is building a digital twin that will empower engineers, planners, and conservationists to remotely explore future upgrades, inspect sightlines, conduct virtual walkthroughs, and manage operational logistics—without physically disturbing the historic sites. According to Sabry: “This digital twin goes beyond mere preservation—it actively enhances informed decision-making, promotes sustainability, and unlocks entirely new visitor experiences and educational opportunities.”
As Geomatex looks to expand into additional countries and diverse markets, the Bentley partnership remains central to its vision. “Our relationship with Bentley is more than a simple collaboration,” Sabry says. “It’s about trust, shared innovation, and mutual growth. We feel we’re part of Bentley’s global family, committed collectively to advancing infrastructure worldwide while preserving the integrity and beauty of our cultural heritage.”
Thomas Kohnstamm is a journalist and author. His latest novel, Supersonic came out in February. The book is one of Publisher’s Weekly’s most anticipated literary fiction titles for Spring 2025.
