Architecture

Rural high school

The wind placed the buildings. Thresholds settled the rest.

Among the argan trees, nothing offers shelter: no street, no neighbouring wall. The wind is the only constant on the site, and it became the rule. The science rooms sit on the coolest side; their sloping roofs let air in at the top and out at the bottom.

You never enter directly. Students arrive through a covered porch where they can wait in the shade when the school is closed; past the door, a screen wall hides the courtyard. Teachers have their own entrance, and their houses have theirs.

Each classroom has two faces. On the courtyard side, high windows: nothing outside distracts the class. On the quiet side, low windows to look out. Above, sun breakers soften the light and let the wind in.

You enter through a porch.You never step straight into the courtyard.
The step regulates.It separates without closing, and becomes a bench for those who don't cross it.
The library spills outside.You take a book inside and read it outside.
The classroom turns its back to the courtyard.Low windows on the quiet side, high ones on the courtyard side.

Location: Essaouira province
Programme: High school, girls' and boys' boarding, refectory, mosque, teachers' housing
Material: Local stone, terracotta screen walls, timber roofs
Status: Competition
Credits: Renderings: Corona.

Aerial view of the school among the argan trees: low stone buildings, planted courtyards, sports ground — **Rendering.** The school among the argan trees. Each building sits on the right side of the wind.

Reed-covered shelter on timber posts; behind, stone classrooms and terracotta screen walls — **Rendering.** The courtyard shelter. In front of the classrooms, screen walls filter the entrances.

Stone classrooms on the courtyard side, reed gallery, pupils on the benches, high windows — **Rendering.** Courtyard side: the step, the benches, the high windows.

Stone classrooms on the quiet side, low windows, timber sun breakers above — **Rendering.** Quiet side: low windows, sun breakers above.

Pupils reading on stone benches between terracotta screen walls and stone walls — **Rendering.** The library spills outside: reading between the screen walls.

Drawings

Site plan of the school — **Plan.** Three entrances, courtyards, and never a direct way in.