In the vast silence of the desert, architecture becomes both shelter and instrument, shaped by sun, wind, and wisdom

Site: Marrakesh, Morocco

Jul 2021

Team work

An international competition entry located in the heart of Morocco’s desert, beside a remote lake. The team was honored to be shortlisted for this challenge, which called for a highly sustainable design capable of thriving in an extreme climate. The proposal integrated innovative energy strategies, including pressure-sensitive surfaces embedded in the ground that generate electricity as people move across them.

To respond to the desert environment, shaded porches, deep overhangs, and courtyards were introduced to mitigate solar gain and enhance natural ventilation, drawing inspiration from time-tested principles of traditional desert architecture. The result is an exploration of how contemporary design and local climatic wisdom can merge to create resilient architecture in this context.