Moroccan architecture is known for its ingenuity in creating cool and shaded spaces, particularly in response to the country's hot and arid climate. Several architectural features and design techniques are employed to achieve this.
1. Courtyard Design: The traditional Moroccan house or riad typically features an inward-facing courtyard known as a "daraa." This central courtyard is surrounded by rooms and has an open-air design that allows for ventilation and the circulation of air. It often includes a small garden or fountain, providing a cooling effect through evaporation.
2. Riad Layout: The riad is designed with an emphasis on privacy and keeping the interior cool. The exterior walls are usually solid and feature small or no windows, which help to reduce heat gain from the exterior. The primary source of natural light and air circulation is through the central courtyard or roof openings.
3. Lattice Screens: Moroccan architecture extensively uses intricate and decorative lattice screens known as "mashrabiyas" or "jali." These screens are typically made of carved wood or metal and are placed in windows or balconies. They serve multiple purposes: allowing air flow while keeping the interior shaded, offering privacy, and creating beautiful patterns of light and shadow.
4. Courtyard Gardens: Moroccan architecture often incorporates lush gardens within the central courtyard or around the house. The vegetation provides shade and evaporative cooling, reducing the ambient temperature in the surrounding areas.
5. Thick Walls and High Ceilings: Moroccan buildings have thick walls made of materials like mud, stone, or adobe, which provide insulation against heat transfer. High ceilings help heat rise and create a convective cooling effect by being closer to cooler air at the top.
6. Roof Features: Moroccan architecture includes various roof features to create shade and ventilation. "Zellij" or colorful ceramic tiles cover the roofs and reflect sunlight, reducing heat absorption. Flat roofs are common, which can be utilized as gathering spaces or to hang shades and textiles for further shading.
7. Wind Towers: In certain Moroccan cities like Essaouira, wind towers (also known as "bâdgirs") are utilized. These towers capture high-altitude winds and channel them down into the interior spaces, providing natural ventilation and cooling.
Overall, Moroccan architecture employs a combination of design elements, such as courtyards, lattice screens, gardens, thick walls, and roof features, to create cool and shaded spaces that help individuals cope with the scorching desert climate.
Publication date: