The Oasis Cultural Center

Premise 

Img 1: Banks of river Nile - An illustration

An oasis is a lush green area in the middle of a desert, centred around a natural spring or a well. It is almost a reverse island, in a sense, because it is a tiny area of water surrounded by a sea of sand or rock. Oasis can be fairly easy to spot—at least in deserts that do not have towering sand dunes. The sight of an oasis on the horizon has been a very welcome one for desert travellers. 

They vary in size from a cluster of date palms around a well or a spring to a city and its irrigated cropland. Dates, cotton, olives, figs, citrus fruits, wheat and corn (maize) are common oasis crops. Rivers that flow through some deserts provide permanent sources of water for large, elongated oasis. 

The fertile Nile River valley and delta in Egypt, supplied with water from the Nile River, is an example of this type of large oasis. At 22,000 square kilometres, it might be the largest oasis in the world. 

Culture + Oasis 

Img 2: Earthenware of Marrakesh Region (Source: Veranda)

Oasis are areas of intensive agricultural production in a region dominated by an arid climate. Present for centuries, even millennia, they have been able to adapt to the multiple shocks (climatic, political, economic ...) that the region has experienced during its history rares en milieu hostile. 

Today, they remain a symbol of sustainable management of scarce natural resources in a hostile environment. 

How can a concept of Oasis and the culture of Marrakech come together in an architectural project that is much more than a culture box? How can it symbolize the Marrakesh of the future?

Issue 

Img 2: Earthenware of Marrakesh Region (Source: Veranda)

During the 20th century, the oasis regions experienced socio-economic-spatial changes and climatic crises marked by severe droughts which were reflected on the oasis ecosystems. In fact, the oasis populations have experienced relentless population growth, natural resources have reached their limits, and the foundations of the economy are facing several challenges. 

The ever-increasing needs of the population, declining production resources, silting up, degradation and abandonment of agricultural land and similar actions have led us here. 

How can manifestations of modern desert architecture reveal design and material that can combat the challenging climatic conditions of arid environments and extreme temperatures? Like the cactus and the cael, buildings must adapt to survive?

Brief 

Img 4: An oasis within a desert. - An illustration

The design challenge is to create a cultural center in the remote regions of Marrakech City in Morocco, that brings access to more livelihood opportunities and tourism to its remote areas. 

The cultural centre should be an example of a green cultural city – where usage of energy, alternative energy, recycling and sustainable development is implemented as an example for the rest of the region. 

The oasis should take care of environmental issues and reduce waste. As the site is close to the dam, how can this tourism infrastructure demonstrate responsibility and at the same time celebrate the culture of the region?

The oasis could be one of the first cultural centers in the world created on a sustainable basis – and without compromising creativity, practicality, costs and uniqueness. 

 

Objectives

• Reviving: Blending and reviving old construction techniques.
• Materials: Using contextual materials and assemblies. 
• Experimentation: Experimenting the above two objectives with technologies of today. 
• Sustainability: Developing a sustainable and feasible model of the cultural center.

The objectives can be a point of beginning to conceive this design. Participants can assume their own contexts and users before initiating their design process. 

Programmatic Outline 

The programmatic outline is the point to begin your design at. You can add more functions and activities in relevance or modify the above design programme.

1. Theater 200sqm 
2. Mediatheque (Library and AV room) 100sqm 
3. Artisanal training rooms 30sqm x 3 nos. 
4. Music conservatory 50sqm 
5. Exhibition gallery ~100sqm 
6. Utilities (Restaurants, Cafeteria, Toilets) 100sqm 
7. Administration (Offices, Meeting Rooms) ~100sqm 
8. Storage 50sqm

 

Marrakech 

Img 5: A city market in Marrakech - View

The culture in Marrakech, just like any culture worldwide, plays an important part in shaping a city and its people. Marrakech is rich in culture and so diverse with its historical influences reflected through the beautiful architecture, delicious cuisine and welcoming people. The culture in the ‘red city’ is unique and has been strongly influenced by Arab and Islamic civilisations because of the vast Berber population. 

The culture in Marrakech is portrayed through language, religion, music, crafts, and tradition. Bathed in the pink glow of its adobe walls, the lovely Marrakesh throws open its doors to all culture lovers. Marrakesh is composed of an array of influences that defy eras, a mosaic of colours where the wonders of the past and the present come into focus. The site lies in the outskirts of the city next to Lalla Takerkoust dam. 

Site Plan 

The given site of this competition is situated in the Agafay desert of Marrakech in Morocco, and more precisely 40 kilometres from the city, at Lalla Takerkoust which provides a perfect setting to get in touch with nature. 

Lalla Takerkoust is a man-made lake that was built between 1929 and 1935 for the primary purpose of providing the city of Marrakech and the surrounding areas with electricity, as well as irrigating the agricultural fields in the plain of Haouz. 

Max Builtup Area: 1000sqm. | Site Area: ~5700sqm. | Coordinates Height restriction 10m | Setbacks as given in CAD plan