Casa Marrakesh

Casa Marrakesh responds to the lifestyle of its inhabitants through a modern interpretation of Moorish vernacular architecture. Walled courtyards, shadowy screens and monolithic massing define private spaces and provide personal detail. The two story, 1500 SF house is sited towards the front of a long, narrow lot, while the casita and carport occupy the back edge of the site, creating a courtyard in between. An elongated pool running the length of the courtyard echoes water features of Moorish gardens and a mature oak tree provides shade. Overlooking the courtyard and carved into the upper level, an outdoor room recalls the multiplicity of uses of flat roofs in arid climates. Recessed apertures that bracket spaces inside for display nooks, storage, and built-in furniture create the impression of spaces carved from a single mass. Mashrabiya latticework is manifested in modern materiality through metal screens performing location specific tasks.