Sustainable market square in Casablanca, Morocco by Estudio Lunar

Article source: Estudio Lunar

The design by Joan Alomar (Estudio Lunar) presents a building that completes the urban block and blends in to the neighborhood. In classical Roman tradition a genius loci was the protective spirit of a place. This concept leads the architecture that mimics the events at it’s surroundings, the nature, vernacular architecture, etc.

Exterior View : Image Courtesy © Joan Alomar

• Architects: Estudio Lunar
• Project: Sustainable market square
• Location: Casablanca, Morocco
• Photography: Joan Alomar
• Brief: Market Square Cover
• Competition Organized: [AC-CA]
• Year: 2012

Interior Cupula : Image Courtesy © Joan Alomar

To blend is the rational sustainable concept to exist without causing a disturbance.Nowadays most of the sustainable architecture strives to produce energy regardless of the economic costs and re¬sources, becoming buildings covered with items that protect them from heat, from cold and others who strive to create energy. Those buildings needed engineering to be completed, to be “eco-friendly”.

Cistern view : Image Courtesy © Joan Alomar

What if the building could protect himself? What if its own architecture was blending so well with its environment and surrounds that is not worth the effort to produce energy?
Sustainability as a complete concept is not only about saving energy, the building first needs to be socially useful and improve the neighborhood, that’s the first target of this market, is not only a market hall. The volume alienated the surrounding streets completes the urban block, covers a public space and creates an sculptural image to the public space.

Multifunctional : Image Courtesy © Joan Alomar

This big gesture of a cupula touching the ground in a very subtle way creates an extension of the public space where very varieties of functions could take place (market hall, performances, art exhibitions, meetings, dinner, etc)

To create maximum flexibility the market is set up with modules, combining these modules merchants can obtain different stalls depending on their needs. These modules can be piled up or stored in the based because its size fits in the lift.

Section Joan : Image Courtesy © Joan Alomar

The construction is based in “Cradel to Cradel” concepts and imitation of vernacular architecture. So the use of mate¬rials from the area and local techniques will save transport and construction costs. The main volume will be build like the old cisterns, using a material based on neighbor recycled demolition materials reinforced with steel.

Street Level : Image Courtesy © Joan Alomar

The shape, structurally efficient will save material, protect from direct sun and provide thermal mass. Add the same time this majestic shape gives notoriety as a public market. One of the main points of this building is its cistern at top level, not only for its sustainable contribution but for its extrapotential addition to the building functions, it will act as attractor point for all Casablanca citizens, creating new commercial opportunities in the neighborhood.

Tumb : Image Courtesy © Joan Alomar

The water accumulated in the building provides isolation to the building and creates new areas for flora and fauna. This water provides from direct rain collection and neighbors roofs, will be used in toilets and market hall for cleaning porpuses, due to the level difference it won’t need any energy to be pumped.

Cistern Level : Image Courtesy © Joan Alomar

In conclusion the building results of the mix of traditional market interpretation, vernacular architecture and sustain¬ability as result of using what nature and rationality offers.

Tags: Casablanca, Morocco

Category: Market

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