The architect, whose project was designed in the context of the Al Haouz earthquake, was rewarded in the “Impact” category, her design office Aziza Chaouni Projects (ACP) having “demonstrated its capacity to produce and develop projects through social and economic involvement”.
“The project we presented for this award is a prototype house made of compressed earth bricks, durable and earthquake-proof, intended for populations affected by the earthquake in order to find decent, comfortable and safe housing, which can be built on a small budget and quickly,” explained the winner in a message read on her behalf during the award ceremony.
On this occasion, Aziza Chaouni said she was “honored” to receive this award, which she dedicates to all the victims of the earthquake of September 8, 2023 as well as to the volunteers who worked on this project.
The prototype, she said, was developed in collaboration with the Moroccan authorities, in volunteer work through a process of research into local vernacular construction techniques and co-design with the disaster-stricken populations of the small village of Taalat N’Yacoub, children, women, men and young people.
The result is “a scalable three-courtyard house, built from Lego compressed earth bricks and vaulted without the use of mortar and which treats and recycles its wastewater,” she said.
“The tragic earthquake has brought an unprecedented wind of solidarity across our Kingdom, and this sustainable house is the fruit of it,” added the woman who places architectural practice as social and civic action at the heart of her professional and academic approach.
His team is currently working on transferring the lessons learned with the prototype house to a new project in Haouz. Called “the house of stars”, this project led by the local NGO Amal Biladi is intended to be a community center for children and young people in the village of Tajgalt, also devastated by the earthquake.
Aziza Chaouni, also an associate professor of architecture at the University of Toronto, founded her multidisciplinary design office in 2011, which specializes in sustainable architecture, landscape, urban design and construction.
Since its creation, Aziza Chaouni Projects (based in Fez) has carried out numerous projects – historical rehabilitation, alternative reuse and construction of new buildings – all developed hand in hand with local artisans.
Created in 2023, the Arab World Institute Design Prize aims to highlight emerging and established designers from the Arab world with a view to demonstrating know-how, productive genius, and the creation of new materials.
Bringing together a prestigious jury, chaired for its second edition by Lebanese designer Nada Debs, it distinguishes designers from the Arab world in the categories “emerging talent”, “confirmed talent” and “Impact Prize”, in addition to the jury prize.
An exhibition dedicated to the selected candidates and the winners will be held in the IMA spaces until September 15.
2024-09-23 15:37:41