Cite des Arts
Project location:
Marrakech
Design scope:
Open design competition, second place. Architectural design and master plan
Design type:
Mixed-use: Cultural amenities including art museum, theater, academy, and incubator studios.
Visitor amenities including hotel, restaurant, and conference hall. Outdoor shared amenities include sculpture garden and amphitheater.
Project size:
15,000 m2 interior space on a 5.5-hectare site.
Collaborators:
Architect Zouhair Chanaoui, Landscaping designer Matthieu Maniaci. Our design was awarded second place by the Moroccan Ministry of Interior.
Key features:
- Strategic layout of functions around a large central garden.
- A warm “village” atmosphere synthesize all the various building types into one harmonious whole.
- A large trellis serving as an iconic sculptural feature. This trellis shades outdoor spaces and extends the amount of time people can spend outdoors during hot months.
- The smaller-scaled plazas and patios create a denser labyrinth of pedestrian areas.
- This sunken garden is the connector for the site, provides a respite from the more intense activity above, and provides daylight and fresh air to the underground parking.
The master plan is laid out to convey a medina atmosphere, synthesizing various building types into a harmonious whole. This synthesis creates a sense of community and cohesion. Small scale plazas and patios create a dense labyrinth of pedestrian areas which provide intimate spaces for relaxation and interaction.
The central garden serves as a connector for the site, linking all the programming components with a variety of bridges, stairs, and ramps. These features provide views of the site’s multiple complexes. Indigenous plantings and water elements recall traditional Andalusian gardens. The lower elevation of the garden provides a respite from the activity above and allows daylight and fresh air to reach the underground car park.
Another iconic feature of the project is a large trellis, serving both as a sculptural element and a practical shade provider. This trellis extends the amount of time people can comfortably spend outdoors during hot months, enhancing the project’s usability.
