Maison Brummell Majorelle | Bergendy Cooke

The core concept of the design

A playful interpretation of Arabic architectural elements distilled through foreign eyes, inspired by its rich language but not replicating it. The building’s solid mass pays homage to the ancient rampart walls of the Marrakech Medina.

Like a sandcastle or sculpture, the openings are the buildings transition into a private interior. Deep recesses serve like the ancient Mashrabiya Screens giving privacy to the bedrooms where the deeper recesses have been implemented. Others create private terraces, an extension of the bedrooms, connecting to the surrounding gardens.

Wanting to showcase the rich artisanal heritage of Morocco we embraced local artisans, materials and their application in a less traditional context.

The treatment to the exterior walls of these recesses are finished in Tadlelakt, (polished plaster), defining the transition as opposed to the rough Pisé exterior finish. Terrazzo, in grey and pink is also used extensively both inside and out. To the interior it creates a datum that fluctuates in height, defining spaces and extends to creating basins and baths within the bedrooms. Bejmat handmade tiles are used to the lower public spaces and extend to the terrace enhancing a fluid transition.

The building is laid out over three floors, the lower floor sitting almost a storey below ground, this is the hub of the public space including, a lounge, dining area, kitchen, outdoor spaces and pool. A traditional Hammam is also included which has its own plunge pool, finished in local marble and water resistant Tadlelakt. 

The entry to building from the street is raised to accommodate the floor below as an 8m height restriction was set by the local authorities due to its auspicious location close to the famed Majorelle Gardens and the relatively new, YSL (Yves Saint Laurent) Museum. On the ground level, a reception, small lounge and the three ‘Garden’ Bedrooms, all which have their own private gardens and outdoor baths are situated. . Above on the first floor an additional five bedrooms, all with private terraces. The intention was to make them all unique in their own way to avoid predictable hotel monotony. 

Local materials and finishes:

Pisé to all exterior: A mixture of earth and quicklime in a colour selected by us within the Pink palette of Marrakech.

Tadlelakt: Hand polished plaster, an incredible skill that the locals have perfected over centuries. This was applied to all exterior recesses (in pink to match the Pisé and interior walls and ceilings in bone colour. This created the true sinuous forms of the interiors as the material and finish lends itself to being organic in its application.

Terrazzo: To upper floors and serving to create a datum to all bedroom walls as well as becoming, bathroom sinks and all wet areas. Done in Grey and a Pink. The grey terrazzo was also used for the pool.

Bejmat: Handmade tiles to the Garden floor which extends to the terrace.

Local limestone to pool surround.

Locally made steel joinery for windows and doors, brass to the entry door. 

Facilities included

Over Three floors: Total SQM: 805m2

Garden floor: -1: One floor below street level (we could not build higher than 8m with local restrictions): All communal spaces, dining, kitchen, lounge, a traditional Hammam with plunge pool and massage room, outdoor eating, living and swimming pool. Public bathrooms

Ground floor: Reception area and small shop, bathroom, 3 Garden rooms, which have their own private garden and outdoor baths. 

First Floor: 5 more bedrooms, all generous in size with their own private terraces

Terrace: Officially we are not allowed to access this. Originally this was designed with a cacti garden so guests could enjoy more green space and with views to the Majorelle Gardens and YSL and Pierre Bergé’s own home, Villa Oasis.

PROJECT TEAM: Bergendy Cooke with (Marrakech team) Amine Abouraoui of Amine Abouraoui  Architects including: Wafa Bassiouni, Soumia Ghazi, Oumaima Faraj

Photography
Emily Andrews - www.emilyandrewsphoto.com
La Dichosa - www.ladichosafotografia.com