Description

Hidden pearls of fez

Respecting heritage, celebrating the future. The main idea and concept of the hidden pearls of fez is to reveal the fairytale like qualities of the Islamic culture and architecture around the bin lamdoun bridge and nevertheless  respecting the protective screens and veils between the public and private world. Between the three different building zones there is a transition from the traditional patio , totally closed from the public space, towards  a partially visible patio showing itself like a large mashrabiya in the façade, towards finally some small free standing  heavily screened glass pavilions along the river of fez. The pavilions give a contemporary architectural expression celebrating the future but are still very well imbedded in the  traditional magical atmosphere of the medina.  The position of the pavilions along the riverfront will create a transparent urban zone in which the existing historical morphology  of the two parts of the medina connected by the bin lamdoun bridge will be better visible. This transition of the urban fabric from space enclosed in the mass towards mass surrounded by space is the central archetypical theme  connecting the three zones in making the transition from the more transparent space along the river towards the traditional internal non transparent spaces of the medina, within the same theme we incorporate an architectural identity allowing to reveal the hidden pearls of fez.The first zone is the restorations zone there we want to connect the different patios to allow a sort of labyrinth where in people can slowly discover the various qualities of the local artisan workshops and the way they are educated. The second zone has a more commercial function with a hotel  shops and bigger selling points for the products made in zone 1. The slightly more extrovert expression of this zone towards the river , with the patios showing themselves as large mashrabiyas in the façade are more inviting and therefore in harmony with their new functions. Along the river in the third zone we create a more modern space transparent with nice views on the historical bin lamdoun bridge, revealing the river and showing more clearly the ancient morphology of the site. An urban deck level at the same height as the place Lalla Yeddouna  makes an excellent location for terraces orientated on the river and the massive structures on two sides showing the once separated parts of the medina. Here the same woven steel grid in a Islamic octagonal pattern as used in the restorations zone, to create a new atmosphere in the patios respecting the visibility and presence of the historical character, will be used as an external veil for the glazed cubes who will then function as Moroccan lanterns  lighting up the river front creating a new orientation point for this important entrance of the medina. The functions under the deck will have a river front orientation and will be connected to  the existing pedestrian zone by internal passages. The new buildings will all be constructed in a  cloverleaf column structure of a 4 by 4 meters grid structure, allowing a flexible use and sustainable main structure fitting into the scale and dimensions of the medina. The facades will be well integrated into the colors and rhythm of the existing pattern. The patio veil in the octagonal lace work of steel in silver and gold colors filtering the light will be in contrast with this as to symbolize the pearls of fez connecting a contemporary identity with the strong medieval image and heritage of the median of fez.