The project’s name, which means “House of Flour” in Arabic, nods to the region’s long-standing agricultural heritage, particularly the cultivation of wheat and barley—a practice still sustained by the ingenious irrigation methods of the past. The design itself draws inspiration from two such systems, namely the mesref, a surface channel used for agricultural irrigation, and the khetara, an underground gallery system devised by the 11th-century Almoravid dynasty to transport groundwater across the desert to Marrakesh. These systems, invisible yet vital, inform the house’s linear layout which divides the surrounding land into two distinct areas: on the one side, the desert terrain remains untouched, while on the other side, a modest garden of indigenous plants flourishes, irrigated by these enduring technologies on the other.

The house’s layout departs from the patio house typology where rooms are arranged around a central courtyard, unfolding instead as an enfilade of interconnected spaces. Two robust, rammed-earth walls form the backbone of the design, enclosing rooms, patios, and water features in a rhythmic procession. Large pivoting doors emphasize fluidity and openness, blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces, while a series of skylights funnel natural light while shielding interiors from the intense Moroccan sun.

The architectural palette celebrates simplicity and locality while championing sustainability. Walls made of compressed soil ground the structure in the landscape while ensuring thermal insulation against the extreme desert climate. Concrete blocks and ceramic tiles complement the earthy tones, while locally crafted, glazed zellige tiles in vibrant red, blue, and yellow hues line the skylights, producing a mesmerizing interplay of colour and light. Water basins, integral to the design, not only cool the air but also evoke a sense of calm, in what is a tribute to the Almoravid mastery of creating microclimates in unforgiving environments.

Through their thoughtful and sustainable design, Leopold Banchini Architects’ innovative use of traditional materials and systems has created a retreat that is not only a sanctuary and a living tribute to humankind’s ingenuity but a living, breathing space that exists in harmony with the nature that surrounds it.