CLIENT: General Commissioner of Moroccan Section in Expo 2020 Dubai
DESIGN: Oualalou + Choi
FABRICATION: ASGC, ALEC Fitout, Avant Scene
ADDITIONAL FIRMS: Econstruct, Setec, Ingélux, TESS, Earth Structure, Lamoureaux, Cap Terre, AESG, Carey Duncan, ASI, ASU, Dubai Precast, JML Facades, EEE, Water in Motion, IGE, Novelty, Simple Solution, Said Berrada Architects, Atelier 6, Mesrar Interior, Oger Internation Morocco
PHOTOS: Avant Scene
The architecture of the Morocco Pavilion combines modernity and tradition in a structure that, though defined by avant-garde construction techniques, is inspired by the ancestral earth construction methods of Moroccan villages. The architecture and techniques used, inspired by ancestral traditions of rammed earth construction, place it firmly in the 21st century, where sustainability and environmental issues are of major concern.
The Morocco Pavilion proposes a stunning experience that is at once informative, immersive, and participative. The exhibition visit is designed as a stroll around the central courtyard, which leads to 13 rooms on seven levels, each presenting a unique environment.
Conceived as a vertical village of rammed earth, the Morocco Pavilion is experienced from top to bottom. A 2,800-foot ramp guides guests around a central courtyard. Rare for a building of its kind, the direction of the tour is original and surprising, promising a visit that is rich in experiences, activating both the body and the mind. In this way, the diverse content of the exhibition will be shown through interactive devices, engaging the visitor with sight, smell, and sound. Audiences of every age are invited to discover the exhibition designed around the theme of “Heritage for the Future.”
Following the ramp that descends from the seventh floor to the ground floor, winding around the central courtyard, the pavilion’s scenographic pathway offers visitors a unique and immersive experience that is educational, technological, and poetic. Visual, audio, and olfactory exploration are the means for audiences of all ages to interact with Morocco’s often unrecognized heritage for the future. No less than 13 exhibitions will be open to the public, each featuring a unique theme and scenography. All the wealth of history, traditions, and skills are on display, as well as the dynamic of the Kingdom and its hopes for the future.
