Usually representing spirits, ancestors or the primordial couple, these figures were placed in shrines and treated with great respect. Through a wide range of style, scale, belief and function the couples depicted share a timeless, serene equality necessary to the continuity of their societies.

Marrakech-Menara Airport Extension/ E2A Architecture

Architects: E2A Architecture
Location: Marrakech, Morocco
Project Year: 2008
Photographer: de Pretto Serge

Year(s) of construction: 2006-2008
Floor Area: 15,300 m2
Technical data: Overall length: 183metres, Overall width: 84metres (12m 48 m 24 m), Height: 13.70 - 15.80 meters

- 19 May 2015
- Billy Mwangi
Transit Oriented , Travel , Contemporary , Contemporary African Directory ,

The International Airport of Marrakech-Menara serves international flights from and to Europe as well as domestic flights. It is located 6 km southwest of downtown city center and 7km of the Djemaa el-Fna.

The project is focusses around three main ideas: -

Give a contemporary and modern picture in the architecture of the airport of Marrakech Menara while reserving the Moroccan tradition,
Develop a friendly and safe functional space,
Implement a new modernity using traditional and today’s materials and techniques.

The spaces incorporated in the project include cafes, a small souk where local crafts are sold, two terminals, parking for 360 vehicles and services which include a medical centre and a chapel.
One of the terminals serves the international flights while the other serves the domestic flights

E2A Architecture studio were commissioned to develop the new terminal extension for the airport. The studio developed an extension that presents a space where the light comes in filtered by the arabesques that cover the windows and enriches the visual contact between the inside and the outside, a structure that's reminiscent of typical wire mesh combined with some modern touches.

This is contrary to the existent structure where the extension offers a set of lights and shadows in every hour of the day, giving the new terminal a particular brightness.

The set’s facade is constitutes 24 rhombuses and 3 triangles. The triangles are located above front-doors measuring 12mx6m. They are then dressed in white aluminium from which they are filled in a glazing which has ancient stylized Islamic ornamental motifs printed on it.

The interiors is of pure Moroccan traditions.

The floors are made from granite and the interior columns which continue the rhomboid shape of the whole structure are lined with sheets of plasterboard and in some cases combined with wood at medium altitude.

The rest areas are equipped with sofas and armchairs decorated with fabrics typical of the region.

The roof is made by a skeleton of steel which goes on towards the outside forming shade of 24m of cantilever. This cover supports photovoltaic pyramids, in a package that represents some 15,300 meters square. There are small plates which mimic the designs of mosaics found in traditional Islamic architecture while allowing light to enter through the skylights. This mosaic pattern masks contemporary technology so that many travelers are only a continuation of the other traditional motifs that decorate the space of the enclosure.

The contemporary extension fuses smoothly with the Moroccan tradition that has been preserved in the original terminal.

CLICK TO REVIEW LINKED STORY

Mohammed VI Football Academy/ Groupe 3 Architectes
The Mohammed VI Football Academy located in Salé, on the right bank of Bouregreg River, opposite the capital Rabat is a private academy that offers education, schooling and Football. The Academy was initiated and partially financed by personal funding from the King of Morocco in 2006, with an ...

- © Marrakech-Menara Airport Extension_E2A Architec...
- © Marrakech-Menara Airport Extension_E2A Architec...
- © Marrakech-Menara Airport Extension_E2A Architec...
- © Marrakech-Menara Airport Extension_E2A Architec...
- © Marrakech-Menara Airport Extension_E2A Architec...
- © Marrakech-Menara Airport Extension_E2A Architec...
- © Marrakech-Menara Airport Extension_E2A Architec...
- © Marrakech-Menara Airport Extension_E2A Architec...
- © Marrakech-Menara Airport Extension_E2A Architec...
- © Marrakech-Menara Airport Extension_E2A Architec...
- © Marrakech-Menara Airport Extension_E2A Architec...
- © Marrakech-Menara Airport Extension_E2A Architec...

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

If you want your own avatar and keep track of your discussions with the community, sign up to archiDATUM >>

SELECTED WORKS

- Leopards Leap Vineyards / Makeka Design Lab
- 02 Aug 2016
How does a utilitarian wine shed become the new home for a young wine, and become a gateway for new audiences to wine and unique food? Ho...
- Mandarin Oriental / Pascal Desprez + Gilles & Boissier
- 31 Mar 2017
Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is set amid lush, lavish gardens surrounded by a walkway that allows guests to fully appreciate their charms...
- Classrooms for University of Namibia/ Wasserfall Munting Architects
- 15 Apr 2015
Architecture is and always will be an educative process, a path that forever guides you to what the human soul seeks. It is the firm behi...

CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN DIRECTORY

- South African Embassy, Addis Ababa/ MMA Design Studio
- 07 Apr 2015
This complex serves one of South Africa’s most important missions abroad being the seat of the African Union and provides for both bilate...
- House 02 Hyde Park / Daffonchio & Associates Architects
- 19 Apr 2017
The house is set on a secluded, tranquil stand surrounded by established trees. The main house consists of 2 wings: the living wing and t...
- New Algerian Parliament / Bureau Architecture Méditerannée
- 27 Apr 2015
It is important to recognize the character of the Architecture of the North. This is where the New Algerian Parliament by Bureau Archite...