MILIEU

What was the concept behind the project?

The concept of the project was to design a building that would make full use of local culture and local ecological raw materials. The main idea was to create a visually and materially fascinating building that would fit into the surrounding landscape, stand out, but would not overshadow it. The title of the project Milieu also refers to the concept. From French, it means the environment, which is the element that the project refer to the most. In English, it means the environment of origin, wich is a manifestation of similarities in the use of culture and materials in the designed facility.

 

Which methods of design investigation?

Before starting the project, a number of analyzes were carried out to better understand the designed place. we examined the characteristics of the local development, services offered on the local market and transport accessibility. For better access, an additional bus stop is to be created within the planned area. Material and system analyzes on the basis of which the facility was designed have also become helpful.

 

Concept?

 

Then came the vision, initial concepts, and the idea itself. The designed facility is located in a sandy place by the water. The inspiration was sand and dunes, which change their shape under the influence of wind. Oval forms and projections showing the solids that form a body of natural movement, which naturally migrates as it moves further. The roof, which in its form also refers to the desert, stands out not only from the human perspective, but also from the bird's eye view. The hills on the roof, as well as the smooth descents, refer to the dunes and flowing sand. The colors of the materials also play an important role, as they emphasize the place where the object is located. The atriums located in the building refer to Moroccan architecture. their purpose is to illuminate the designed rooms and refer to the local culture. The visual element accentuating the structural elements are additional openwork, closely related to Moroccan mosaics. The shadow they create, constantly changing in the rhythm of the sun, alludes to the movement of the sand carried by the wind on the desert dune. The interior is shared into three spaces, so it is simple and clear. A division was created into a part that is periodically visited, such as a theater or art gallery, an office part, as well as a customary part, which includes gastronomy and the sale of workshops. The utility rooms were properly lit and located in a way that opens up to the surrounding landscape. The entire facility includes ecological solutions and solutions that will make the building self-sufficient in terms of energy. It will also become a place adapted to stay in high temperatures. An inseparable, important element of the whole project is the vegetation complementing the buildings in the form of Oxytree trees, the use of which plays an important role in the project.

 

How was a specific objective attempted to be met?

The aim of the project was to create a balanced facility that harmonizes with nature through ecological solutions and reduces energy consumption by, for example, the selection of readily available local materials. It was also crucial to stick to the main idea and references to the inspiration of dunes and sand.

 

What / How were the materials chosen?

The selection of materials was a priority when building the vision.

The walls of the building are mainly made of clay, a material that is easily obtainable in a given area and refers to the original Moroccan architecture. To keep the clay in good condition, the mortar was sealed with goat hair and camel hair "woi wok", the first swells under the influence of rain and does not let water through, and the second is 100% waterproof. In addition, the bristles protect against the temperature that forms outside the building.

The third thing added to the clay is burnt wood ash, it protects the building from microbes entering the walls of the building. The last thing is plastic scraps added to the mortar, besides serving the ecological aspect of recycling, they are also a strong message to make both residents and tourists aware of the amount of plastic used and the inability to escape from it. This is to motivate them to think about the creative and functional use of plastic.

Energy and ecology?

The entire project was completed with technical solutions ensuring self-sufficiency and electrical independence, as well as ecological solutions and vegetation.

Planted oxytree tree farms provide many uses. These trees, thanks to their leaves, absorbing carbon dioxide, supply ten times more oxygen to the environment compared to other plants. Their low demand is incomparable with their growth, which reaches six meters per year. The cut wood was initially used for the roof structure of the building, when it grows back it will be used for workshops taking place in the designed facility. In addition, when planted next to a solar septic tank, they extract the excess moisture from the soil.

Solar Energy

 

Shutters with photovoltaic foil are used on some of the windows on the south side. Thanks to solar energy, they are charged and provide energy for the entire building. In addition to their ecological function, they also create a sun barrier by covering some of the windows.

Rainwater tank

The rainwater management system is powered mainly by water flowing from the roof. Rainwater collects in the well through a roof opening that leads to the atrium. The collected water is used to flush the toilet bowls. This will allow the property maintenance costs to be reduced, while improving the environmental conditions.

 

Septic system tank

A septic system tank is plumbing system it naturally discharges the sewage from the building  and purifies it back into the groundwater system. Anything flushed down the toilet goes back to the ground cleaned. The septic system filters bacteria and pathogens from the wastewater and returns to the groundwater without chemicals.

Foundation

The foundations were made of a combination of wood and stone mined from the Atlas Mountains in Marocco.

What is the expansion plan of the project?

The proposed facility offers solutions that will help it survive in the absence of tourists - as is the case during the current COVID 19 pandemic - by the production of local, traditional goods, which will provide jobs for local residents and artisans. We are talking about pottery, wood products, carpet weaving or dyeing fabrics. Due to the mobility of the walls and good sunlight in each room, the designed object may also perform other functions over time, depending on the creativity and idea of the future investor.

 

How will the project transform with the passing time? etc.

The building was made exclusively of materials of local origin. The entire structure, including the foundation, roof and openwork, is made of clay, wood, stone and goat hair, enabling quick, efficient and easy repair in the case of a failure or any other need. The access to building materials is unlimited, and the same materials, which have been used for centuries, are a guarantee of survival and good maintenance. The building was created in such a way that, if it is necessary to dismantle it, its natural building materials - except for the windows - can be left in a place where they will naturally decompose. The windows can be secured and used in the reconstruction of the building in another place indicated by the investor, or in subsequent independent construction sites.