African project
Mohammed VI Polytechnic University – Morocco
The rest of the campus includes the following elements:
• Five Research Centres and the Learning Centre, located on both sides
of the pedestrian axis at the centre of the campus. The Research Centres
are grouped in the same area to encourage synergies and exchange of
information;
• Other facilities along the axis: a restaurant, dedicated area for teachers,
the Student Centre and the Medical Centre, and teaching facilities
distributed around a plaza at the south end of the campus;
• A hotel and the OCP Regional Headquarters facing the green extension;
• Residential clusters on the campus perimeter;
• Additional car park and green areas.
The scheme favours green transportation systems along two roads that run
parallel to the pedestrian axis, while the private use of cars is only allowed
in the peripheral avenue Mohammed VI, the avenue A, and the avenue B,
with access to the car-park areas.
The urban design and the architectural style of the Moroccan cities, and
namely the cities of the area of Benguerir, are the projects actual source of
inspiration. The rich architectural tradition of Moroccan towns like Fez,
Meknes, Rabat and Marrakech, and the ksour (Arabic term for “castle”) of
the South Atlas, reveal their history, their culture, and the local abilities to
adapt to specific climatic conditions.
The scheme for Mohammed VI Polytechnic University Campus
in Benguerir combines a genuine respect for the genius locci with
environmental performance goals. The project has received LEED NC
certification and aims to Silver LEED NC for buildings and LEED Campus
for the Masterplan. AD