Marrakech Congress Centre | Tabanlioglu Architects

The striking, robust new congress centre for Marrakech, by Istanbul-based international architecture practice Tabanlioglu Architects, has won the prestigious ‘The Plan’ magazine award for future projects, in the Office & Business Category. The new congress centre for Marrakech promises to be a sheltered place within which its visitors unite, with a design that respects both the site’s history and the essence of local values through materials, pattern and colour. The announcement was made at Perspective Europe in Venice, The Plan’s international architecture forum. The Marrakech Congress Center is the latest in a series designed by Tabanlioglu, bringing their elegant Modernism to Africa.

The congress centre will be enveloped in a robust natural stone façade, articulated with perforations that allow light to diffuse inside, while acting as solar shading. Endless geometric patterns, like mandala, will create an effect that references the vernacular architecture of Marrakech. Internally, the building will include a series of spaces on different levels, internal patios and gardens that will te a serene and natural environment. The interplay of the inside and outside will be a central theme for the building, communicated through such integrated gardens, as well as with the sunlight piercing the façade throughout the day. At ground level the atrium will be visible through porticos and one central focus door that will reference the striking local doors in Morocco, emphasising a dynamic interior / exterior flow.

The Plan Awards were shortlisted from more than 500 entries, with the international jury members, including Bernard Tschumi, Mario Cucinella, Kim H. Nielsen, Boris Podrecca, Raymund Ryan, Li Xiangning finalising their choices during the Forum in Venice, at which Murat Tabanlıoğlu further took part as a key lecturer at The Plan Talks under the topic “Society: Creating a More Friendly Built Environment”.

Headed by Murat Tabanlioglu and Melkan Gursel, the practice goes from strength to strength, with residential, commercial and mixed-use projects currently on site in Turkey and Dubai. Tabanlıoğlu Architects has a long family tradition and is the culmination of over 60 years’ architectural experience. Tabanlioğlu Architects believes that one of the big issues inherent in urban development is to create city spaces that are interactive, to allow citizens to truly mingle; that in order to make better cities; buildings should be multifunctional and take inspiration from both ceremonial and informal public spaces. The practice strives for new efficiencies in terms of global and environmental needs, incorporating new technologies into their work. Recent awards include: AR Award ‘Big Urban Projects’ 2016, WAF Future Office Project Award and MIPIM 2015 Best Office Award. In 2014 ESAS Aeropark received LEAF Award and International Property Award. In 2015 The Plan Awards selected three Tabanlıoğlu projects as the winners; Dakar Congress Center, Bodrum International Airport and Astana Train Station. RIBA International Awards for Loft Gardens and Bodrum International Airport projects in 2011 and 2013 respectively.