In Ouirgane village, a quiet revolution in construction is taking place. While it may seem like an isolated outpost, the village is witnessing the early stages of a movement that seeks to bring earthen architecture back into modern construction. The initiative, led by architect Khalil Morad El Ghilali, is focused on building 200 homes using traditional rammed earth construction techniques. Spanning 7 hectares, these homes will range from 75 to 100 square meters each, marking a bold return to sustainable and eco-friendly construction methods.
El Ghilali is a passionate advocate for earthen architecture, a method used in the creation of Morocco’s iconic Kasbahs. Though opinions within the architectural community vary on the viability of such buildings in a rapidly changing climate, the growing concerns surrounding climate change have fueled new interest in the technique. By using natural, locally available materials like soil and stone, this construction approach minimizes the need to transport materials over long distances, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions.
One of the key advantages of rammed earth construction is its ability to maintain temperature stability. The thick 50 cm walls provide high thermal mass, keeping the interiors cooler during the hot day and releasing the absorbed heat during cooler nights, significantly reducing the need for artificial heating or cooling. “It’s not just about building with earth or stone; it’s about reconnecting with our roots and preserving our identity,” says El Ghilali.
However, widespread adoption of these techniques presents challenges, especially in urban areas where larger and taller buildings are often required. El Ghilali believes that a new, innovative approach to urban design is necessary to make earthen buildings feasible in more densely populated areas.
El Ghilali and fellow architect El Mehdi Belyasmine have garnered international recognition for their work, winning a prestigious competition to design the Moroccan Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale. Their project, Materiae Palimpsest, highlights the versatility of natural materials in contemporary design.
Chakib Benabdellah, President of the National Council of the Order of Architects, who was part of the jury for the Biennale competition, believes the growing global focus on energy-efficient building materials plays a crucial role in the renewed interest in earthen construction methods. “Energy efficiency is a major concern globally,” he says. “As people focus more on saving energy and increasing comfort in buildings, we see a return to local materials like earth and stone.”
Buildings like Rabat’s Hassan Tower, constructed in 1196, serve as enduring examples of how natural materials can stand the test of time. El Ghilali explains that different materials are suited to different landscapes: rammed earth is ideal for plains where soil is abundant, while stone is more appropriate for mountainous regions.
El Ghilali is hopeful that his projects will help bring earthen architecture into the mainstream. He emphasizes the environmental benefits of this construction style, noting that the natural thermal properties of earthen buildings eliminate the need for air conditioning. The result is not only a more sustainable approach but also improved internal health and comfort for residents.
Benabdellah acknowledges the competition for the Venice Biennale was fierce, with many notable architects submitting their designs. The decision to award the project to El Ghilali and Belyasmine, he says, was based on their ability to meet all the competition’s rigorous requirements.
For El Ghilali, the experience of participating in the Biennale is an opportunity for Morocco to showcase its rich cultural heritage on the global stage. Through this pavilion, he hopes to challenge perceptions of earthen construction as a primitive, outdated method, demonstrating instead its potential for contemporary, sustainable architecture. “We are showing that the future may very well be rooted in the materials of the past,” he says.
El Ghilali’s work extends beyond architecture; he also runs a training center in the village of Tahannaout, teaching craftsmen how to blend modern construction techniques with traditional materials. His hope is that this will inspire a new generation of builders to embrace these sustainable practices. As interest in earthen architecture grows, so too does the potential for a more sustainable and culturally grounded future in construction.
