Hotel Les Gorges du Dadès

**Article written by ZorA Lahlou ** The work of Patrice de Mazieres and Abdeslem Faraoui can be seen as a synthesis of combined values of tradition as well as nowadays technology. The project shows sensitivity towards local vernacular architecture, particularly to its formal aspects. Believing that conventional tourist typologies (high-rise block, elevators, double-loaded corridor) were inappropriate and undesirable in a setting such as Boumalne, the architects sought a solution which would minimize sophisticated technology for coniwherent advantages of the site. La obra de Patrice de Mazieres y Addeslem Faraoui puede entenderse como la síntesis de los valores de la tradición y la tecnología puntera, ambos combinados. El proyecto muestra cierta sensibilidad hacia la arquitectura vernácula del lugar, especialmente hacia sus aspectos formales. Asumiendo que los modelos turísticos convencionales (bloques en altura, ascensores, pasillos para circulación) eran no solo inapropiados, sino que ademas indeseables para un lugar como Boumalne, los arquitectos buscaron una solución que minimizase la inclusion de tecnología sofisticada para tomar ventaja de las condiciones inherentes al emplazamiento físico. Les Gorges du Dadès’ hotel was built in 1974. The project was initiated by the Moroccan government who had an increasing need for hotel accommodations in the High Atlas Mountains in the East Valley location. Built in Boumalne, the Hotel was planned to give welcome mass tourism. Located on a spectacular landscape, the region possesses a rich indigenous architectural Berber tradition of mud-brick dwellings. The architects were inspired by the existence of this indigenous tradition and so decided to use textures, forms and colors similar to the Kasbah image. As the hotel was built in an isolated place, the architects’ main challenge was the climate control . Indeed, the hotel is located on a ridge high above the mud-brick village.