ricardo bofill completes design for mohammed VI polytechnique university

in the small town of ben guerir in central morocco, ricardo bofill taller de arquitectura has completed the new university mohammed VI polytechnique. encompassing 55 hectares, the complex of structures (300,000 m2) implements a thoroughly thought-out urban design that suits both students and teachers. the primary constraint was simple- no structure can be over 21 meters tall. the campus is geared to a pedestrian culture with designed spaces for gathering. a central promenade bisects the site as a central datum flanked by shops, classrooms, and public space. drawing heavily from simple geometries, the square is a recurring element that dictates both plan and elevation. 

monolithic volumes with rhythmically-placed voids make up the aesthetic of the campus
all images courtesy of ricardo bofill taller de arquitectura

courtyards, gardens, squares and semi-covered streets lend to a culture of interaction and integrate plenty of greenery. solid cubes of orange plaster are spaced by full-height openings establishing a solid/void rhythm throughout the buildings, similar in larger scale to the relationship between structure and open space. around the north and south property lines, clusters of smaller buildings comprise the student housing with central courtyards. next to the housing cloisters, larger open parks lend to larger gatherings while on the north side the recreational fields sit between housing and classrooms.

simple square shapes make up much of the geometry of the design

smaller structures make up the housing clusters

each building contains a central courtyard assuring natural light and ventilation into every room

exterior circulation forms part of the public space

the interior of the structures presents the repetition of the square with light-filled full-height atria

in the larger squares, a free-standing glass canopy provides shade for gathering

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project info:

project: université mohammed vi polytechnique
year: 2016
location: benguérir, morocco
client: ocp group
masterplan area: 300,000 sqm
built area: 65,000 sqm

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