Modernism has a long history in Morocco. Being close to Europe and under French Protectorate rule, it kept pace with architectural developments in the movement. Its relative peace after the Second World War further strengthened its role as some European architects sought a hub for new ideas. Architects in independent Morocco adopted Modernism as they were tasked to build the infrastructure of a new nation. The architect Jean-François Zevaco, born in Morocco to French parents, practiced across these formative periods, developing his own expressive version of modern architecture.
New Casa Sud Train Station by OUALALOU+CHOI . Image Courtesy of OUALALOU+CHOI
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 civiclandmark, addressing the needs of a rapidly expanding metropolis while contributing to the urban and social fabric of Morocco's economic capital.
Courtesy of Oualalou + Choi | Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco
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.
Several events have shaped Morocco since its independence. One of them is the Architects’ transition from serving the declining French empire to serving the newly independent Moroccan nation. Upon gaining independence in 1956, young Moroccan and foreign architects were tasked with constructing a self-sufficient Morocco. The demand for modern infrastructure, new administrative buildings, and improved education and health facilities led to a construction boom. This boom provided architects and planners the opportunity to express their vision.
Inspired by the popularity of modernism in Europe, architects experimented with buildings that embodied brutalism. This architectural style was not only a rebellion against the colonial vision of urban design in Morocco, but also a symbol of architectural unity in the urban landscape. Buildings were created in various typologies with the characteristic of exposed concrete, showcasing its inherent qualities of strength, durability, and functionality. These buildings, which can be seen in cities such as Agadir, Casablanca, Tangier, and parts of Marrakesh, represent a dialogue between brutalism and Moroccan culture, environment, and climate.
