masterplan proposal for rabat's beach in morocco blurs the boundaries between city and sea

uk and iraq-based AMBS architects and local partner archgues guessous associates have submitted a new masterplan for rabat’s beach in morocco, which blurs the boundaries between the city and the sea. aiming at becoming a true urban intervention, the project extends its role as a literal ‘support platform’ for the public, with a design meant to create and shape social interactions.

a sensitive logic of integration extends to the seaside

following a sensitive logic of integration, AMBS architects and archgues guessous associates propose a new vernacular that creates a smooth, seamless transition from the city fabric to the seafront. the masterplan channels the strong cultural current to the beach’s promenade while promoting old and new social processes, going beyond the merely physical. four concrete modules in ocher and grey tones form the base of the proposal, organizing spaces for specific uses, such as circulation, planters, stairs, and casual seating. ‘there are also endless ad hoc opportunities for the public to inhabit the spaces – a quality that is quintessential of the moroccan medina where any space can become the impromptu base of a social activity,’ say the architects.

any space can become the impromptu base of a social activity

endless ad hoc opportunities for the public to inhabit the spaces

a new vernacular that can transit from the city fabric and the corniche blurs the boundaries between the city and the sea

it channels the strong cultural current to the beach’s promenade while promoting old and new social processes

the city’s new end extends into the sea

rabat’s beach is located north of the city next to the medina

four concrete modules in ocher and grey tones become the base of this new but evocative language

the blocks organize spaces for specific uses like circulation, planters, stairs or casual seating

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: sofia lekka angelopoulou | designboom