Accommodating flexibility and Moroccan traditions

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    The micro-hotel’s semi-outdoor spaces act as a climate buffer. The large open doors can adapt to leverage prevailing weather conditions. Photo © Archibionic.

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    Project update June 2014 – Ecological dwelling in a semi-desert zone, near Tamanar, Morocco

    The micro-hotel includes Moroccan housing traditions such as autonomy, convertibility of spaces and furniture, and semi-outdoor spaces as a climate buffer. External view showing stormwater recovery area. Photo © Archibionic.

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    The micro-hotel is located 10km north-east of Tamanar (تامنار) in the heart of Morocco’s unique argan forest, with views to the Atlantic coast. Photo © Archibionic.

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    The design was formulated to include three key principles: inclusion of Moroccan housing traditions, selective appropriation of modernity, and economic performance. Breakfast for two in the living room. Photo © Archibionic.

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    Project update June 2014 – Ecological dwelling in a semi-desert zone, near Tamanar, Morocco

    The micro-hotel’s apertures can be narrowed incrementally. Photo © Archibionic.

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    All openings can be completely closed, depending on requirements and weather. Photo © Archibionic.

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    Stormwater recovery area. Photo © Archibionic.

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    The patio area enables airflow and light to enter the spaces. The selective appropriation of technology includes solar hot water heating. Photo © Archibionic.

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    Minimalist furniture showing table and seat outside. Photo © Archibionic.

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    Project update June 2014 – Ecological dwelling in a semi-desert zone, near Tamanar, Morocco

    The Felfla micro-hotel project completed in early 2014 responds both rationally and poetically to the harsh conditions of a semi-desert environment. Breakfast for four in the living room, with views to the forest beyond. Photo © Archibionic.

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    Project update June 2014 – Ecological dwelling in a semi-desert zone, near Tamanar, Morocco

    Patio area. Photo © Archibionic.

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    Bedroom with modular adaptive furniture. Photo © Archibionic.

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    Bedroom opened for light and air. Photo © Archibionic.

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    Bathroom area. Photo © Archibionic.

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    View of library. Photo © Archibionic.

The micro-hotel was completed in early 2014. The project designed by Myriam Soussan and Laurent Moulin of Archibionic is 100% autonomous in providing all water and energy needs, in addition to managing all waste on site. The project offers an alternative to Western spatial organization where mono-functional spaces are fully-partitioned and consume space, local materials, and lack cohesion of design. 

Last updated: June 05, 2014 near Tamanar, Morocco

The micro-hotel was completed in early 2014. The project designed by Myriam Soussan and Laurent Moulin of Archibionic is 100% autonomous in providing all water and energy needs, in addition to managing all waste on site. The project offers an alternative to Western spatial organization where mono-functional spaces are fully-partitioned and consume space, local materials, and lack cohesion of design. 

The design therefore was formulated to include three key principles: inclusion of Moroccan housing traditions (autonomy, convertibility of spaces and furniture, semi-outdoor spaces as a climate buffer, stable monolithic architecture, large open doors), selective appropriation (use technology to reduce household chores, enhance privacy, improve health, enable telecommunications/internet), and economic performance (keep budget for technological enhancements to the price of a car).

A05AMacMAprog14-11.jpgThe four bedrooms with a total capacity of ten people, are clustered around a patio, and utilise furniture designed to be adaptive so the layout of the rooms with mobile beds, closets and seating to be changed by each visitor to best suit their needs. Originally planned for construction near Erfoud, the micro-hotel is located 10km north-east of Tamanar (تامنار) in the heart of Morocco’s unique argan forest. The endemic forest covering more than 8,000 km² in the calcareous semi-desert Sous valley of southwestern Morocco contains the world’s only species of the genus Argania, and is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere reserve.