Hotel in Merzouga

This project is a study for a hotel at the edge of the Great Sahara in Morocco.

Due to the bizarre and minimal nature of the landscape all available context has to be overvalued without forgetting that the surroundings slowly but constantly shift. The volume wraps around a central courtyard – a reference to the traditional, nowadays glamorous riads as found in the cities of the country. The external appearance is out of this world, like an extraterrestrial tank that has landed there. A black naturally back-ventilated facade provides shade and radiates back the gained heat during the cool nights. Deep recessed glazed slots within the fabric provide precisely framed views of the spectacular outside. These windows also provide a sense of protection – they work as a re-assurance that the hotel remains intact even when partially submerged in sand, similar to a sub-marine.

The hotel is aimed at five-star tourism and as a base for film crews which often tend to work in this part of the world.

Status: Ongoing