MOROCCO
ARCHITECTURAL
HYUNJIN YOON
TOUR 2014
F LOR A H WA NG
Itinerary DAY 1
Providence - Marrakesh Marrakesh - Agdez
DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4
Agdez - M’hamid
S a h a r a D e s e r t Tr e k k i n g
DAY 5
S a h a r a D e s e r t Tr e k k i n g
DAY 6
Cheggaga - Ouarzazate
DAY 7 DAY 8
Ouarzazate - Marrakesh
Marrakesh - Providence
DAY I - M a r r a k e sh
DAY I I - A g de z
DAY I I I - M ’ h a m id
DAY I V - H a m a da
DAY V - H a m a da
DAY V I - H a m a da
Chegaga Dunes
D AY V I I - O u r z a z at e
DAY V I I I - M a r a k e c h
Conclusion - Ar chitecture in Desert The trip in general was surreal and overwhelming; however, the real questions remain. “Deser t Architecture”, we define it as it is, for its: I . Fo r m : h o w t h e d e s e r t ’s l a n d s c a p e a n d n a t u r a l p h e n o m e n o n a f f e c t t h e f o r m o f architecture. II. Systems: how the climate is controlled, and the natural ventilation system is done. Also, looking at the local building materials and its microclimates. III. Circulation: how the transportation and urban planning is erected by this specific condition, “deser t.”
erosion of man-made bricks. T his means, the first levels constantly g et cr ushed, and is r e p l a c e d b y t h e s e c o n d l e v e l o v e r t i m e . C o n s e q u e n t l y, t h e y b u i l d a n o t h e r l i n e o f K a s b a h ’s o n the side of the older line and build layers of housing. It is simply amazing because this p r o c e s s o c c u r s n a t u r a l l y w h i l e m o d e r n b u i l d i n g s d o t h i s s t e p o f l a y e r i n g m a n u a l l y. Moder n metropolitan cities require g reat security and buildings in large scales, which do not a p p l y i n M o r o c c o. H owe ve r, M o r o c c a n a r ch i t e c t u r e a l s o m a i n t a i n s a n d d e a l s w i t h h e a t s o l e l y by material and architectural choices. In addition, the typology of Riad and Kasbah can easily be adapted to modern architecture and offer variety of spatial relationship with other architecture. In a sense, Moroccan architecture is a step ahead of modern architecture in terms of its relationship with other buildings simply by culture, tradition, and trust.
The landscape of desert and its characteristics greatly affect the for m of architecture. From the outline of the desert, to the availability of water, these are direct conseq u e n c e s o f t h e l a n d s c a p e . A r c h i t e c t u r a l l y, t h e y u s e c o l u m n s o f l o n g r e b a r p l a c e d a t each cor ner of the building and also connect bricks horizontally using rebar. Later, the horizontal lines of bricks are stacked which connect to the ver tical rebar columns. T he r o o f s t r u c t u r e c o n s i s t s o f w o o d , h a y, a n d r o c k s f o r m a x i m u m s h a d e a n d c h i l l a f f e c t . To c l a r i f y, t h e r e a r e t w o m a i n t y p o l o g y o f b u i l d i n g i n M o r o c c o. F i r s t i s R i a d s t y l e , w h i c h m e a n s h o u s e w i t h a c o u r t y a r d . Tr a d i t i o n a l R i a d ’s d o n o t h a v e w i n d o w s f a c i n g t h e exterior, because the traditional woman could not step outside of the house. The second typology is Kasbah, which has four towers on the corners and is a sign of great wealth. However, this second typolog y extends to multiple scales to Kasbah To w n , a n d K a s b a h C i t y. Moroccan culture allows direct tr ust even on someone they have just met. Also, the o l d e r t o w n s w e r e f o r m e d c l o s e t o g e t h e r b y t h e s a m e f a m i l y, s o t h e y h a v e a s t r o n g connection between towns. T he older K asbah towns have layers of f loors caused by
Special Thanks To o u r D o n o r - w h o m a d e t h i s t r i p p o s s i b l e . Abdel and Sahid - our guide and driver. Igdir- camel man and caretaker. F e l i c i t y - o u r t r a v e l a g e n c y. Jamil - Riad caretaker.
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