Architecture in Morocco, between tradition and modernity the things of forms and the forms of things

Abstract

Modern architecture is defined as a search for a new model, an alternative to the traditional model deemed outdated and incapable of meeting the evolving needs and requirements of modern man. In Morocco, more so than anywhere else, vernacular and traditional architecture has proven, especially since the colonial period, to be a reference point in the development of a new architecture with a strong Moroccan identity. This architecture aims to be a fusion of traditional, Berber, and Arab-Muslim architecture, both in terms of form and aesthetics. Revealing the process through which contemporary architecture in Morocco claims its Moroccan specificity and modernity whether in terms of concept, aesthetics, form, function, sustainability, energy efficiency, or well-being is not about contrasting old/modern or present / past. Rather, it is about unveiling: the "things of forms" that define conceptual modes, and the "forms of things" that define formal and aesthetic particularities. The objective of this communication, stemming from a portion (currently in writing) of my thesis research, is to make a modest and partial contribution to the definition of contemporary Moroccan architecture. This architecture, while modern, increasingly asserts its identity by drawing from traditional Moroccan architecture in various ways. The goal is also to show how this architecture, in its constant search for cultural and identity inscription, breaks with the anonymous international style, creating new forms enriched by the contributions of traditional architecture and craftsmanship.