Set within a 40-hectare site adjacent to the medina of Marrakech, the village for the 2023 World Bank and the International Monetary Fund Annual Meeting was a meditation on the possibilities of temporary city planning. In a fusion of architectural innovation and sustainability, OUALALOU+CHOI designed the ‘village’ pavilion to host 14,000 people for the duration of just one week, and also envisioned a second life for the buildings after the event.
Inscribed within a circle, the village is centered around an enormous canopy structure, which shades the main circulation path for the site. This shaded vault serves as an informal gathering space which encourages spontaneous interactions and exchanges amongst the participants. The tensile structure of the canopy is in keeping with the nomadic tradition of moussems (annual harvest, religious, and cultural festivals) which gather disparate populations in tented villages for purposes of alliance and celebration.
The grand canopy also divides the village into four neighborhoods in which the various event programs and offices are grouped. The identities of the four neighborhoods are inspired by various geographic and ecological regions of Morocco, and each quarter is planted with landscape that is indigenous to those regions. The result is a sensory journey through the multi-faceted landscapes of this enchanting nation.
The Moroccan Pavilion, located at the heart of the site on the Town Square, invites visitors to discover the history and cultural richness of Morocco. The pavilion houses a series of exhibition spaces and four Moroccan gardens. Inspired by traditional kasbahs, the building is constructed of local red earth. In response to the extremely limited timeframe for construction, the Moroccan Pavilion is constructed from an innovative method of prefabricated rammed earth panels attached to a steel structure. The arch-shaped passages impart a ceremonial ambiance, while the exposed wooden structure reveals the space’s underlying architectural elements.
The 650 office spaces for the delegates were housed in wooden structures which will be repurposed after the event. All of the 48 wooden structures will be dismantled, transported, and readapted as educational buildings in Morocco.
