Following the devastating earthquake of September 8, 2023, in Morocco’s Al Haouz region, this project united architecture students and young professionals with a shared vision to make a meaningful contribution to the recovery efforts. The initiative aimed to design and ultimately realize a primary school in one of the affected areas, marking the inception of BINA. This project was not just about creating a building but about weaving together threads of heritage conservation, community needs, and modern architectural practices to foster hope and resilience.

The proposed design of the school reflects a deep respect for the region’s rich cultural heritage, while also addressing the urgent necessity for modern, functional educational facilities. It harmoniously integrates traditional building techniques with contemporary engineering, creating a balance between preserving identity and meeting current safety standards. The school’s layout includes two elongated blocks, each containing four distinct spaces. Together, these house six classrooms, an administrative office, and a canteen to support both educational and communal activities. At the heart of the design lies a central courtyard—a tranquil, shaded space that promotes natural cooling, encourages social interaction among pupils, and offers a serene environment for learning and play.

A core principle of the project was sustainability and the use of locally sourced materials and construction methods. The design incorporated rammed earth walls resting on a robust stone foundation, a technique that has been practiced for centuries in the region. The structure was further fortified with rebar and a concrete ring beam to ensure compliance with Morocco’s seismic building codes. This thoughtful integration of traditional craftsmanship and modern engineering aimed to create a structure that was not only culturally relevant but also resilient to future challenges.

To ground the design in the community's reality, the team conducted extensive fieldwork in the Al Haouz region. Through consultations with local residents, the regional governor, and architects familiar with the area’s specific challenges, the team developed a design deeply informed by the community's needs and aspirations. These dialogues ensured that the project was not imposed from the outside but co-created with those who would benefit from it most. The resulting design stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of listening to local voices.

This project underscores the profound connection between architecture, culture, and resilience. By reimagining vernacular building methods, it sought to preserve the unique identity of the region while addressing the urgent needs of a post-disaster context. Even though the project was in the end not realized, the exchange of knowledge helped us shape a transformative design, demonstrating the protection of material and technique to tell stories of places and communities that are now at the core of our collective.

Contributors:

Zoē Holiday, Antonios Mavrotas, Katharina Niesing, Silvia Pencheva, Yolanda de Ramón Caamano