2nd Place, Morocco Oasis Retreat Design Competition

In the rural landscapes just beyond Fes, the Morocco Oasis Retreat is a fitting destination for the notion of escapism- shaping itself as a tranquil sanctuary. At the same time, the relatively distant location away from the city also means that it requires self-sustainable system to support its functional programs, buildings, and inhabitants. The panoramic landscape, sloping terrain, and remote environment of the site geography implies the sensitive approach of architectural design to be well-embedded with its existing nature, which the architecture should stand as a modest resemblance of Moroccan heritage. With such premises, the convergence of these considerations will naturally form into the archaic architecture for the retreat complex.

Inspired by the riads in traditional Moroccan dwellings and the existing topography, the architecture of the Morocco Oasis Retreat emerges as a hybrid typology- a partially submerge cascading archetype that forms almost as landscape, combined with voids that shaped by the clusters of buildings. The overall form, comprises of terraces shaping the retreat as a cascading journey, stepping down along the natural topography, towards the water body of Idriss I Dam. Akin to a consequence of gently descending plateaus, this offers the terracing retreat complex to enjoy the panoramic sceneries at all angles, without disrupting the sightline from the accessing main road. Whereas the enclave of retreat is composed with series of voids, navigating through layers of communal courtyards, intimate patios, waterscape, and lush garden pockets.

Inheriting the aesthetic of Moroccan heritage, the architectural language of the retreat’s buildings are orchestrated with the accent of smoothing and carving, combined with subtle motives- the evocation of its spatial expression and the sense of place. It is a constructed nature and a natural edifice at the same time. The Morocco Oasis Retreat is thus, a celebration of its earth and sky, where light, water, plants, wildlife, and community meet- a haven for the residents and guests to immerse themselves in the timeless beauty of Morocco’s landscapes.