groupe 3 architectes: mohammed VI football academy, morocco

‘mohammed VI football academy’ by groupe 3 architectes, salé, moroccoimage © AKAA / cemal emden

the diagnosis of the bleak state of international moroccan football was deemed a infrastructural one– no abundance of talent could overcome a lack of training and facilities. the current king of morocco, mohammed VI commissioned moroccan firm groupe 3 architectes to design a top tier training academy. approximately 60 teenagers, aged 13- 18 are intensively training in the complex, many from underprivileged quarters of rabat and heralding dreams of a professional football careers. half of the 24 hectare lot is dedicated to the training center while the other is home to the football club itself and living quarters for the young athletes.

the cluster of white buildings is arranged like a douar, a local hamlet-like planning typology centered around an open-air village green courtyard. five buildings are programmatically separated to accommodate administration, lodging, catering, teaching, and training. each building itself seeks to be a micro-universe, with its own indoor courtyard and gardens encouraging a reflection and relaxation. the courtyards and open areas making for encounters, exchanges and team building while allowing clear lines of sight and a remarkable depth of field. the proportions of the starkly white structures are human-scaled and familiar, albeit rational. rich in spatiality, these strict proportions and modest architectonics mimic the rigor, discipline and graceful control required of the sport.

the academy was shorlisted for this year’s aga khan award for architecture, see desigboom’s coverage here.

an overview of the shortlisted projectvideo © aga khan award for architecture