Morocco architecture news 2026, North African buildings construction design, Casablanca property images
Morocco Architecture News
post updated 13 May 2026
Morrocan Architecture Designs – chronological list
13 + 12 May 2026
Young Moroccan Architecture Awards News
Call for entries for the 3rd edition of the Young Moroccan Architecture Awards (YMAA)
Conceived as a platform to spotlight and support the next generation of architects, the YMAA annually recognize the most compelling projects by talents under the age of 45.
This new edition marks a significant step forward with an expanded international scope, notably through the introduction of the “Young African Architect” category. This addition reflects our ambition to foster dialogue, visibility, and exchange across architectural scenes throughout the continent.
Chaired by Abdou Lahlou, the jury brings together leading figures from architecture, landscape, and academia. It will recognize the most innovative and impactful projects of this edition.
The YMAA 2026 jury is composed, in alphabetical order, of:
• Chakib Benabdellah — Architect, President of the National Council of the Order of Architects
• Madison Cox — Landscape Architect, President of the Fondation Majorelle
• Fodé Diop — Architect, President of the FAFA
• Ahmed Laaroussi — Architect, Director of the School of Architecture of Casablanca
• Fatima-Zahra Morjani — Architect and artist
• Tarik Oualalou — Architect, Oualalou + Choi
• Joris Pauwels — Architect, Zaha Hadid Architects
• Manal Rachdi — Architect, OXO Architectes
• Christoph Röttinger — Architect, Herzog & de Meuron
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THE YOUNG MOROCCAN ARCHITECTURE AWARDS UNVEIL THEIR 3RD EDITION: THE RISE OF A NEW CREATIVE GENERATION IN MOTION
Building on the resounding success of their first two editions, the Young Moroccan Architecture Awards (YMAA) proudly announce the official launch of their third chapter. Organized by the Archimedia Group under the high patronage of the Ministry of National Territory Planning, Land Planning, Housing and City Policy, this new edition will once again celebrate the creative vitality and singular audacity of Morocco’s emerging architectural scene.
A pioneer and leading voice in architecture and construction media across Africa, the Archimedia Group has shaped this competition into a true springboard, dedicated to revealing and propelling the rising talents who are redefining the contours of the Kingdom’s contemporary landscape. Over the years, the YMAA have established themselves as an essential crossroads—a showcase of excellence for architects under 45—while elevating Moroccan contemporary architecture onto the global stage.
A PLATFORM FOR THE ARCHITECTURAL VANGUARD
Conceived as a showcase of excellence, the Young Moroccan Architecture Awards highlight the most innovative projects led by Morocco’s new generation of architects. By offering a platform for expression, visibility, and dialogue, they foster exchange among professionals, stimulate reflection on contemporary practices, and encourage the emergence of new architectural languages.
At the intersection of urban, environmental, and societal challenges, the YMAA support a generation poised to reinvent how we inhabit, build, and conceive territories. By celebrating these achievements and amplifying their visibility, they create a privileged meeting ground for architects, institutions, developers, industrial stakeholders, and key players across the construction sector.
AN EXCEPTIONAL JURY FOR A RIGOROUS AND COMMITTED PERSPECTIVE
To determine the roll of honor of this third edition, submissions will be evaluated by a distinguished jury composed of eminent figures from architecture, design, and construction. This exceptional panel will be chaired by Abdou Lahlou, alongside renowned personalities including Chakib Benabdallah, Madison Cox, Fodé Diop, Ahmed Laaroussi, Fatime-Zahra Morjani, Tarik Oualalou, Joris Pauwels, Manal Rachdi, and Christoph Röttinger. Drawing on their expertise and discerning perspectives, the jury will undertake the inspiring mission of identifying the most impactful and visionary projects—true manifestos of Morocco’s emerging creative force.
A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW OF CATEGORIES AND SPECIAL DISTINCTIONS
In order to capture the full richness and diversity of contemporary practices, the third edition of the YMAA will feature an extensive range of 19 categories. The awards will honor human-centric spaces—from healthcare and well-being to education—while highlighting the ingenuity of living environments through individual housing, private residences, and collective housing projects.
Economic and recreational dynamics will be celebrated across retail, commercial architecture, tourism, and leisure. Furthermore, an attention to heritage and detail will be rewarded through prizes for interior design, renovation, and rehabilitation. These are complemented by the structural prowess of office buildings, the founding audacity of the “First Work,” and the singular vision of the Architect-Designer of the Year. To honor boundary-pushing creativity and academic excellence, prizes will also be awarded in an open category, alongside distinctions for the best graduation projects.
This year, the YMAA enrich their repertoire with three new categories: Landscape Architecture, Moroccan Architects Abroad, and Young African Architects. Beyond these categories, four supreme distinctions will crown architectural achievements of exceptional stature: Building of the Year, the Jury Prize, the Public Favorite Award, and the illustrious Fouad Akalay Prize, dedicated to the memory of the YMAA’s visionary founder.
A FESTIVE SYMPOSIUM CELEBRATING MOROCCAN ARCHITECTURAL GENIUS
With each edition celebrating a new generation of architects, the YMAA pursue a clear ambition: to foster innovation and contribute to the enduring influence of Moroccan architecture. This third act unfolds in profound tribute to the enlightened vision of the late Fouad Akalay, a fervent advocate of Moroccan contemporary architecture and a patron of those who shape it. Today more than ever, the YMAA stand as a sanctuary of recognition, a bridge of intergenerational transmission, and a space for open dialogue—steadfastly devoted to an architecture imbued with meaning, identity, and promise for the future.
Bold architects, design enthusiasts, and avant-garde spirits: join this movement of renewal. Immerse yourself in excellence, dare to compete, and come celebrate with us the builders of Morocco’s future!
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Key Dates:
- May 9, 2026 – Opening of registrations for YMAA 2026
- September 30, 2026 – Closing of registrations for YMAA 2026
Contact: (+212) 6 94 13 82 49 – (+33) 6 98 59 00 30 | (email protected)
Website: www.ymaa.ma
ABOUT THE YMAA
Created at the initiative of the Archimedia Group, the Young Moroccan Architecture Awards (YMAA) are the benchmark event dedicated to rewarding excellence, ingenuity, and innovation among Moroccan architects under the age of 45. Conceived as both a record and a living memory of architectural practice in Morocco, the competition has, since 2022, celebrated the emergence of a vibrant contemporary scene.
From the intimacy of individual dwellings to the scale of major urban projects, the YMAA shine a light on bold talents who redefine our spaces, enhance our built heritage, and imagine the city of tomorrow. By positioning Moroccan architecture as a true vector of influence, the YMAA contribute to strengthening its reach both nationally and internationally.
ABOUT THE ARCHIMEDIA GROUP
Founded over twenty years ago by the late Fouad Akalay—visionary architect, pioneer of architectural journalism in Morocco, and a towering figure of the profession—the Archimedia Group now stands as Africa’s leading independent, multi-platform media group dedicated to architecture, design, and construction.
At once a major event organizer and a reference publisher—through emblematic titles such as Chantiers du Maroc and A+E Magazine—the group pursues its mission with the rigor and discernment of a true master builder. For more than two decades, Archimedia has united the entire construction ecosystem, driven by an unwavering commitment: to promote architectural excellence, showcase contemporary expertise, and catalyze dialogue between generations of builders.
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5 June 2025
Place Lalla Yeddouna, Fez
Design: mossessian partners yassir khalil studio
photo © MA-YKS
14 May 2025
James Bond Spectre Villa – Dar Bianca, Palmeraie, near Marrakech
Architect: Imaad Rahmouni
photo courtesy of the real estate agent
Less than 20 minutes from the centre of Marrakech, in the heart of the Palmeraie, “Dar Bianca”, a sculptural architect-designed villa is back on the market.
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Key modern property developments in North Africa in 2024:
20 August 2024
Grand Stade Hassan II, Casablanca, West Morocco
Design: Oualalou + Choi and Populous
image courtesy of architects practice
New images have been released of the spectacular Grand Stade Hassan II in Casablanca, Morocco, the 115,000-capacity stadium projected to be the largest football stadium in the world.
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Morocco Building News
Morocco Architectural News
17 September 2023
Casablanca Modernist Villa, Casablanca, West Morocco
Design: Crina Arghirescu Architecture
photo : Isabel Parrat
With a very modernist shell, the villa called for an unconventional space in respect to Moroccan culture, taking some of the formal elements out of the traditional settings.
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New buildings designs, built environment + architects updates in 2022:
10 December 2022
The Young Moroccan Architecture Awards Unveil Their Winners!
Casablanca, December 2022 – During a memorable evening, the YOUNG MORROCAN ARCHITECTURE AWARDS (YMAA) lifted the veil on the winners of their very first edition. This Monday, December 5, 2022, a festive atmosphere reigned at the Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche where a total of 26 trophies were awarded to celebrate Morocco’s young architectural scene.
The YOUNG MOROCCAN ARCHITECTURE AWARDS (YMAA) is a competition that sheds light on the young emerging Moroccan architects as well as their outstanding achievements. A first of its kind in Africa and the Arab world, YMAA was initiated and organized by the Archimedia group, the first and leading media for architecture and construction on the African continent.
This evening of revelation of the winners has awarded the best projects as selected by a jury of their peers and which was presided by none other than Mr. Taoufik El Oufir whose reputation precedes him. The jury reviewed and debated 80 outstanding projects nominated in 21 diverse and varied categories and announced the winners by category as follows:
- Intervention in medina: Fatimzohra Tahiri Alaoui for the renovation of a Riad in Essaouira
- Special prize for Zévaco: Tarik Zoubdi for the “Concrete Phrontistery”
- Collective housing: Younes Diouri for the Horizon Hill
- Cultural Space: Salma Dioury for American Arts Center
- Health & Wellness: Sofiya Iraqi for Ks Dental
- Pre-school and primary education : Youssef Lahkim for El Farah School
- Secondary and higher education: Tarik Zoubdi for the “Concrete Phrontistery”
- Individual residential housing: IBDAA Group for Villa For Loft
- Retail and commercial architecture: Dina Bennani for Choco Chino
- Leisure and tourism: Abdelhakim Guilmi for H&G Guest House
- Interior design and decoration: Dina Bennani for “Villa privée
- Gastronomy spaces: AGA Studio for the Fresh & Bio house
- Small individual housing: Mounia Radouane for villa VPDN
- Large house: Abdelhakim Guilmi for villa KLM
- Renovation and rehabilitation: Mounia Radouane for AAA Apartment
- Office space: Lamia Hamriti for Payment Center for Africa
- Sustainable and environmental building: Fatima Zahra Bendahmane for CIE Tata
- Wooden architecture: Younes Diouri for ACSA Club tennis
- Ephemeral architecture: Merouane Oussama Zouaoui for Tafedna domes
- First work: IBDAA Group – Villa Albertini
- Out of category: S+R Architecture Workshop for automotive equipment manufacturers in Tangier.
View the results at ymaa.ma
In addition to these awards, three Distinctions were also awarded; “The Building of the Year” with the CIE project of Tata by Fatima-Zahra Bendahmane; “The favorite of the public” based on public voting to Youssef Benjelloun; and finally the“Archimedia prize” to Ghita Adyel with the Ibn Batouta Museum project in Tangier.
The student architects were not left out as they were also awarded with the best female Graduation Project won by Lina Meskine for “Narration in architecture” and the best male Graduation Project won by Fatmi Achraf Merzouk for “Towards a hospital architecture: Bouregreg hospital center”. Lastly, two special mentions were awarded to two graduation projects: The first mention for innovation was awarded to Zineb Lemseffer for her graduation project entitled “A interpreter”; and a special mention for excellence was awarded to Sofia El Alami for “Kobenhavn Conference Hall”.
Celebrating architecture in Morocco, YMAA, through this gala of great magnitude has brought together renowned actors in the field of architecture and construction in Morocco. Testimonies, sharing of experiences, and warm ambiances rocked by jazz music were at the rendezvous this evening where colleagues met to celebrate architecture in Morocco.
North African Architectural Projects, chronological:
17 June 2022
Issy Valley Improvement Landscape Design, Issy Valley, Aït Mansour, West Morocco
Design: Architect Salima Naji
photo : Amine Houari
One part of a large government-sponsored hydro-agricultural project for the valley, this initial phase focuses on the improvement of trails and facilities for rural tourists. It also aims to improve the palm orchards and water reservoirs/collectors.
24 Mar 2022
Fairmont Taghazout Bay Hotel
Design: Scape Design
photo : Fairmont Taghazout
This new Moroccan hotel building on the Atlantic coast near Agadir features a naturalistic and biodiversity rich resort landscape by the award-winning London-based practice, Scape Design. The Fairmont resort design narrative emerges from the location’s nature as well as from the way of life of the indigenous Imazighen Berbers.
More Morocco Architecture News on e-architect soon.
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Morocco Architecture News 2018
25 Nov 2018
International Forum on Cities and Heritage in Arab Countries 2018
Location: Dar Souiri, Essaouira, Morocco
Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qassimi the Ruler of Sharjah, and Princess Lalla Hasna, President of the Moroccan Society for Archeology and Heritage, the International Forum on Cities and Heritage in the Arab Countries will be held in Essaouira antique city.
22 Nov 2018
Guelmim Airport Building
Design: Groupe3Architectes
photography : Fernando Guerra / FG+SG and Groupe3Architectes
The new Guelmim Airport building is situated in an existing military infrastructure located 3km north of the city of Guelmim in the south of Morocco.
More contemporary Morocco Architecture News online here soon.
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Morocco Architecture News 2016 – 2017
1 Aug 2017
Sidi Harazem Thermal Bath Complex, Sidi Harazem
Renewal Design: Jean-François Zevaco Architect
Fondation Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG)
Date built: 1958
One of Twelve Recipients of Getty Foundation’s Keeping It Modern Grants:
Nestled in a Moroccan oasis where ancient mineral springs have drawn visitors for centuries, the Sidi Harazem Thermal Bath Complex represents a marriage of nature, public space, and modern architecture. Built four years after Moroccan independence, the complex is the ambitious statement of a new nation determined to create modern gathering places for its citizens.
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26 Nov 2016
The Sofitel Tamuda Bay in Morocco, M’diq resort accommodation design
Design: Galal Mahmoud, GM Architects
image from architects
The Sofitel Tamuda Bay is located on the northern coast of Morocco about 20 miles east of Tangier.
26 Aug 2016
Radisson Blu in Marrakech
Design: Atelier Pod
image from architecture firm
12 Apr 2016
Residence Atelier Foundation in Marrakesh
Design: PB+Co
photograph : Abderrahmen Ezzine
Located in a rural landscape and sheltered by olive trees, the Residence-Atelier-Foundation faces the majestic white outline of the Atlas Mountains. It comprises a private residence, a pavilion for her 3 children and guest artists, her atelier, an art gallery and a foundation to encourage Moroccan women artists.
26 Jan 2016
Gapi Food and Beverage Villa Casablanca
Design: Lotfi Sidirahal Architects
photograph : Valentina Marchant Photographer
The architecture concept is the Pastry box ribbons that are usually twisted when trying to confine the cake box. The twists form a double skin facade that adapts to the different uses and orientations.
More current Morocco Architecture News online soon.
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Moroccan Architectural Updates 2012 – 2013
1 Oct 2013
Villa Zevaco Restaurant Casablanca
Design: Andy Martin Architects
photo from architects
Villa Zevaco Restaurant Casablanca
Andy Martin Architects were selected from a shortlist of acclaimed British restaurant designers to restore and convert a classic 50s villa. The propert is sited in the elegant Anfa District, in the heart of Casablanca, Morocco’s most cosmopolitan city.
25 Jun 2013
Preservation of Sacred and Collective Oasis Sites, Guelmim Region, Morocco
Design: Salima Naji
photo : Cemal Emden
Preservation of Oasis Sites
Naji has carried out the work with skilled masons and unskilled workmen, whom she has trained in traditional building techniques and who go on to apply their skills at other sites. Architecture and public spaces have been conserved not only for their historic value, but as locally rooted, sustainable models for contemporary building.
2 May 2013
Hassan II Bridge, Rabat
Design: Marc Mimran Architecture
photo : Marc Mimram
Bridge in Rabat
1 May 2013
Mohammed VI Football Academy Morocco, Salé
Design: Groupe 3 Architectes
photo : Cemal Emden
Mohammed VI Football Academy
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26 Nov 2012
Casablanca Architectural Competition Winner
picture from architecture studio
Sustainable Market Square Casablanca Architecture Competition
Tom David Architects win first prize in the international architecture competition (AC-CA) Casablanca. The architectural design firm is based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
More Morocco Architecture News online soon.
Location: Morocco, Northwest Africa.
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Moroccan Architecture
Morocco Architecture
African Architecture
Anfa Place Building
Design: Foster + Partners
Rabat Grand Theatre, northern Morocco
Design: Zaha Hadid Architects
Rabat Grand Theatre Building
BMCE Regional Headquarters
CasaArt Casablanca
Moroccan Office Buildings
Morocco Mall Casablanca
Passenger Terminal Tangier
Comments / photos for the Morocco Architecture News page welcome.
