Vernacular architecture, between the sovereignty of the environment and the restoration requirements: The case of Ksar of Igoulmimen and the medina of Meknes
SEDREDDINE Mouna
Abstract. The vernacular represents a homogeneous aggregation of elements coexisting in harmony, wherein nature asserts its dominance. The intelligence of humanity, coupled with the survival instinct and a remarkable capacity for adaptation, results in architecture that serves as a continuation of the surrounding environment. The genius loci—fundamental to architectural production—guides the design process through various distinguishing parameters, including natural, social, cultural, economic, geographical, and occasionally political determinants. This concept is adeptly manifested in the unifying architecture that significantly influences the Moroccan landscape. The medinas, ksour, kasbahs, and rural habitats serve as contemporary testimonials to the alchemical relationship between humanity and its environment. They encapsulate a distinctive craftsmanship that evolves continuously in response to the variability of natural, economic, and cultural factors. This communication will first examine selected national and international human and architectural instances from geographically diverse regions where “vernacular” architecture illustrates the environmental sovereignty over humanity, communities, and the resultant architectural creations. Secondly, it will explore two cases of restoration experiences: the Medina of Meknes and the Ksar of Igoulmimen. This analysis will be grounded in the established literature and prior field research, to assess the actual impact of restoration efforts vis-à-vis a shifting socio-economic framework. Furthermore, the discussion will address various revitalization actions associated with these projects, which occasionally reflect passive rehabilitation attempts. The intention is to transcend the mere aesthetics of heritage that juxtaposes tradition and modernity, thereby interrogating the resilience capital of these human establishments in favor of “intelligent contextualization.”
Keywords
Architecture, Vernacular, Environment, Medina, Ksar, Restoration, Contextualization
Published online 1/10/2025, 9 pages
Copyright © 2025 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: SEDREDDINE Mouna, Vernacular architecture, between the sovereignty of the environment and the restoration requirements: The case of Ksar of Igoulmimen and the medina of Meknes, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 47, pp 147-155, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903391-17
The article was published as article 17 of the book Vernacular Architecture
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
References
[1] François Varin, L’architecture vernaculaire, une définition difficile à cerner. Comité de l’ICOMOS pour l’Architecture Vernaculaire, p. 4.
[2] François Varin, L’architecture vernaculaire, une définition difficile à cerner. Comité de l’ICOMOS pour l’Architecture Vernaculaire, p. 4.
[3] Hassan Fathy, Construire avec le peuple, Paris, Éditions Jérôme Martineau, 1970, p. 59.
