Tag: oualalou-choi | ArchDaily

14 Global Stadium Projects and Surrounding Urban Masterplans Currently in Progress

Antonia Piñeiro — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 06:30:00 +0000

During 2025, several sports infrastructure projects were announced that remain on our radar, most of which are scheduled for completion between 2028 and 2030. Located across Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and North America, these projects reflect contemporary masterplan strategies for the transformation of large sports venues within their urban contexts. Many of the stadiums are planned as part of broader redevelopment frameworks that include new public spaces, mixed-use programs, event facilities, and mobility upgrades, rather than as isolated structures. Designs led by international offices such as Populous, Foster + Partners, Heatherwick Studio, OMA, Gensler, AFL Architects, and VUILD illustrate a range of architectural, urban, and infrastructural responses to the evolving role of large sports facilities.

OUALALOU+CHOI Wins Competition for the New Casa Sud Train Station in Casablanca

Reyyan Dogan — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 06:30:00 +0000

OUALALOU+CHOI has won the international competition for the design of the new Casa Sud Train Station in Casablanca, Morocco. Based in Paris and Casablanca, the architecture and urban design practice led by Tarik Oualalou and Linna Choi is recognized for its work exploring the relationship between architecture, infrastructure, and public life. The winning proposal envisions the new station as both an infrastructural hub and a civic landmark, addressing the needs of a rapidly expanding metropolis while contributing to the urban and social fabric of Morocco's economic capital.

Populous Completes Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat as Morocco’s New National Venue

Reyyan Dogan — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 06:30:00 +0000

The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat has officially opened as Morocco's new national stadium, following its inauguration by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan on September 4, 2025. Designed by Populous, the stadium has a capacity of 68,700 and was developed under the direction of the National Agency for Public Facilities of Morocco to meet FIFA standards, enabling it to host matches up to the semi-finals of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The redevelopment replaces the original 1983 stadium, positioning it as Morocco's flagship sports venue ahead of a series of international events.

Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2025 Announces 19 Shortlisted Projects from 15 Countries

Reyyan Dogan — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 06:30:00 +0000

The Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) has announced the 19 shortlisted projects for its 2025 cycle. Selected from a pool of 369 nominations, these projects will compete for a share of the USD 1 million prize, one of the most significant awards in the field. The shortlist was determined by an independent Master Jury composed of nine members: Azra Akšamija, Noura Al Sayeh-Holtrop, Lucia Allais, David Basulto, Yvonne Farrell, Kabage Karanja, Yacouba Konaté, Hassan Radoine, and Mun Summ Wong. The Jury will meet later this summer to review on-site evaluations and select the final recipients of the 16th Award Cycle (2023–2025).

Populous and Oualalou + Choi Reveal World's Largest Football Stadium in Morocco

Nour Fakharany — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 05:30:00 +0000

Populous and Oualalou + Choi have just released the design for the of Grand Stade Hassan II in Casablanca, Morocco. Set to be the largest football stadium globally, the stadium boasts a capacity of 115,000 people. Drawing inspiration from Morcco’s traditional ‘moussem,’ a type of social gathering, the design features a grand, tent-like roof that integrates dramatically into its forested surroundings.

Local Colors in Rammed Earth Construction: 50 Projects Revealing Earth's Vibrant Palette

Hana Abdel — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 07:30:00 +0000

With the proper know-how, readily available earth, sand, chalk, lime, or gravel can yield a versatile, strong, and durable construction material. Its colorful results vary from region to region, depending on the natural soil component, climate, and treatment. While some prefer to minimize any added processing, others relish the exploration of rammed earth surfaces. Different textures and mesmerizing layers of multitoned or multicolored earth can be used to create a solid surface that enriches the visual quality of a space and carries a sense of warmth to any project.

Meet the Winners of the 2022 Arab Architects Awards

Dima Stouhi — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 05:30:00 +0000

The Association of Arab Architects has announced the winners of the 2022 Arab Architects Awards. This year’s winning architectural projects highlight the importance of inclusive design, taking into account sustainability and designing with a sensible response to the local communities and landscapes they inhibit. The two-day ceremony was held in Amman, Jordan on November 16-17, 2022, and gathered hundreds of regional architects, urban planners, engineers, and designers of all demographics to explore and engage in discussions about architecture and the future of the built environment in the Arab region.

Morocco Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai / OUALALOU+CHOI

Hana Abdel — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:00:00 +0000

The Morocco Pavilion at the 2020 Expo in Dubai, designed by architects OUALALOU+CHOI, showcases how traditional Moroccan design and construction techniques can find new relevance in contemporary design and urban development efforts. As a pioneering work of rammed earth construction—the building’s 4000 m² rammed earth facade will be the largest of its kind—the Pavilion aims to push the technical and creative limits of Morocco’s traditional building materials to new heights, while paying tribute to the country’s rich and varied culture and landscape.

Construction of Moroccan Pavilion at the 2020 Dubai is Underway with Tribute to Traditional Construction

Dima Stouhi — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 06:30:00 +0000

The Moroccan Pavilion at the 2020 Expo in Dubai explores traditional Moroccan architecture and how it can be reimagined in contemporary construction techniques and urban developments. The pavilion is designed by architects OUALALOU+CHOI, and will display a first-of-its-kind structure with a 4000 m² rammed earth facade, pushing the boundaries of the material and exploring its full potential.

OUALALOU + CHOI Reveals Images of the Morocco Pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai

Christele Harrouk — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 05:30:00 +0000

OUALALOU + CHOI has designed the Morocco Pavilion at the 2020 Expo in Dubai, showcasing traditional Moroccan design and construction techniques. The pavilion brings “rammed earth construction to new heights”.

Modern Morocco: Building a New Vernacular

Eric Baldwin — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Modern Moroccan architecture is reinterpreting vernacular traditions. Taking its name from the Arabic al-maġhrib, or the “place the sun sets; the west”, the kingdom is a sovereign state home to numerous examples of Islamic design, as well as detailed art and ornamentation found within geometric patterns, friezes and open courtyards.

Territory Without Ground: Designing in the Sahara Desert

James Taylor-Foster — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 04:00:00 +0000

The Pavilion of Morocco at the 14th Venice Biennale, Fundamentals, focused on territorial speculations in the Sahara: Inhabiting the Uninhabitable. For the exhibition, which was the country's first representation at the Biennale, Paris-based practice OUALALOU+CHOI proposed an urban structure for this desert territory – "a means of putting down roots, implanting urbanity and civilization. The Sahara, with its extreme geography and climatic conditions, remains unexplored territory for architectural speculation."

OUALALOU+CHOI Pitches Woven Tent Outside of Jean Novel’s Arab World Institute

Karissa Rosenfield — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 01:00:00 +0000

In conjunction with the Contemporary Morocco exhibit (Le Maroc Contemporain) at the Jean Nouvel-designed Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, a giant tent has been constructed on the plaza in front of the building. Designed by Tarik Oualalou and Linna Choi of OUALALOU+CHOI, the tent harmonizes contemporary design and technical innovation with traditional fabrication methods. Constructed from more than 650-square-meters of camel and goat wool woven by female cooperatives in the Saharan desert, the tent serves as an urban landmark and a symbol for the Contemporary Morocco exhibit. The rhythm and scale of the tent’s silhouette renders a topographic dimension to the structure which pays homage to the nomadic traditions of southern Morocco.

"Inhabiting the Desert" Since 1914: Morocco at the 2014 Venice Biennale

David Basulto — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 01:00:00 +0000

Morocco was heavily influenced by European modernism due to its strategic position in Northern Africa. It was governed as a European protectorate for much of the 20th century, and it was in this region that the modern movement found a place for experimentation; a place where modernist ideals met such particular climate conditions that they evolved a unique regional expression.

Montabo Resort / OUALALOU + CHOI

Alison Furuto — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:00:49 +0000

The hill of Montabo looms over the city of Cayenne and provides a dramatic backdrop for an architectural project which addresses the raw and unremitting power of nature. The winning competition entry by OUALALOU + CHOI derives from a dual strategy to conserve the natural environment and to protect the building from an undesirable degree of the jungle’s encroachment. The project preserves as much of the natural hilltop as possible, transforming it into a public space by creating a park at the crown of the hill. Thus, the highest point in the city becomes a part of the public realm. More images and architects’ description after the break.