Architectural elements and evolutions over time
Vivid colors, abstract, floral patterns, beautiful calligraphy - when thinking of Morocco, this is often the image that comes up in most people’s minds. Throughout the centuries, countless countries have impacted the evolution of Morocco, architecture included. “We used to build from Mother Nature, from anything we could find around us,” Alaa Bouhadane, an art and interior decorator and designer in Morocco, expressed, “now we just import and export our resources.” She continues to explain that this has prevented a lot of places from maintaining their own style, since everyone started using the same sources and materials. Morocco, however, continues to cultivate the unique traits and tones to their architecture.
Morocco, being a country with a valuable geographical location, claiming it seemed very appealing to large nations at the time such as Spain, Turkey and France. Art has been a tool of expression in all sorts of ways throughout the centuries, which is why a country’s history is so evident in elements such as architecture. Islamic style clearly dominates Moroccan architecture, as Morocco has been an Islamic state since 685 C.E., and is very visible in the consideration of detail they put in horseshoe arches, mosques, and minarets.
Due to the countless different rules Morocco has passed through, they have managed to preserve some elements of each culture: the lavish gardens, extravagant detail and intense use of powerful colors. One trait that continues to be passed on through the centuries is the concept of enclosed spaces, mainly for living. This allowed them to easily protect themselves from threats, and even though it is less necessary now, the practice persists. components such as fountains and gardens are designed inside the dimensions of buildings for this reason.
Every city is unique, and every building in a city is different; there are stories hidden around every corner. In many Moroccan cities, such as Fez and Rabat, there is the ‘old city’, also referred to as the medina. This is where elements of Moorish and Arab-style architecture are really brought forward: narrow streets that were built on each other over years.
The French colonization had an impact on Moroccan architecture as well. In the early twentieth century, the French wanted to further develop the Moroccan cityscape. The Ville Nouvelle was built next to the medina, contrasting each other in every aspect possible - the new districts were very carefully planned out, and not as chaotic as the old streets of the medina.
Color plays a very big part in Moroccan architecture. It helped them express positive, as well as the negative associations. Originally, there were six dominant colors: white, black, green, yellow, red and blue. This has changed over time, and now there are around twenty colors used frequently. The symbolism of these colors derives from the Islamic influences over the years. White is associated with wisdom, honor, dignity, purity and creativity. One can notice this in dresswear at events, since you would wear white at cheerful, but also sorrowful ceremonies. Black is normally associated with uncleanliness and satan; green is associated with nature and fertility, as well as prosperity; blue is associated with the absolute, infinite and peace; red is associated with exorcising evil spirits; yellow often resembles the nearing of something, or that something coming to an end.
When visiting Morocco, all of these elements will be visible around you, telling the story of Moroccan history and present coming together. If you are someone who finds architecture mesmerizing, Morocco is a must-see.
