Urban Moroccan Architecture
From International Business Wiki
Moroccan architecture has grown and flourished throughout the decades. Urban architecture has had many different influences contribute to the structures we see today. Architecture itself is perceived as cultural and political symbols, and even as works of art.
Morocco’s four imperial cities contain some of the grandest structures such as royal palaces, mosques, royal necropolises, and other religious centers that some call works of art. These structures were built using similar styles of architecture, one being Hassanian architecture. This style of architecture starts with a ritual through which compression of all elegant ancient Moroccan architecture artifacts into the present, and accords all credits for past architectural glories of the kingdom to be. (Hinchman, 2003)
Original inhabitants of Morocco, known as the Berbers, had their own way of architecture, which came of the earth. The villages were built with soil reinforced with lime, straw and gravel, which was mixed into a thick muddy paste and applied to a wooden frame. This was of an organic quality that dried to the point one would need to hammer the structure for it to break. They also created Kasbah, which was like a castle or fortress to protect the village. (Graham, 2003)
Spanish Muslim influence began to appear around 1062 and around that time the horseshoe and cusp arches were introduced into architecture. One of the only monuments of this time to remain in tact is Koubba El Badiyin, located in the city of Marrakech. (Graham, 2003) Almost a century later the same building materials were being used but architectural styles progressed and started utilizing stone in select structures. An example of such a structure would be the gate known as Bab Agnaou.
Woodworking was another addition to architecture that came into play around 1276. This was brought upon by the Merenids. Wood was not typically used as a primary structure, but the use of wood to create doors was very important in Moroccan architecture. Some of the most impressive woodworking can be seen at mostly holy institutions, and are on display at Dar Si Said Museum. (Graham, 2003)
The latest influence on Moroccan architecture came with the arrival of the French in approximately 1912. With the new people came a new style of architecture. This style is known as a mix of European modernistic and Moorish. Although this style faded out more traditional architecture for 50 years, the country has been able to move forward with architectural developments. Currently you can see the effects of more high-profile architectural influence throughout the country. (Graham, 2003)
Many cities within Morocco are now urbanized, or contain a large population. That is one of the many reasons that have triggered improvements being made to the architecture within the country. In the city of Marrakech, architects have been successful in restoring and recreating the homes located in the up and coming urban areas. These homes were made of mud bricks and began collapsing. Architects still used traditional skills like tiling, stucco-carving, and woodwork to further develop these areas. The building materials used included mud brick and reinforced mud.
All of the different styles of architecture that have influenced Morocco have made their impact on the individuals of the world. An article describes the impact of Moroccan architecture in the following excerpt: “The buildings are composed of archetypal elements; towers, gates, portals, courtyards and streets that have the uncanny ability to be read as a harmonious whole growing with grandeur out of the land or to be experienced as ambiguous collages of form and light experienced in time and space.” (Yudell, 1998)
References:
Yudell, B. Buildings that merge and mark, streets that order and dance. Places.
Cambridge, Mass. Volume II. 1998. pg. 10-15.
Hinchman, Mark. International Journal of African Historical Studies. 2003, Vol. 36 Issue 1, p228, 3p.
Graham, Hugh. 2003. The New Marrakech Style. Time Out Guides Limited. Marrakech and the Best of Morocco. (p31-36). London, England. Penguin Group.
