Artisans' Quarter_Joanna Hiew

Place Lalla Yeddouna is a public square located in the centre of the Medina. Rather than a social meeting place, this square has lost its purpose and is currently a wide passageway leading to the Medina. This project aims to revitalize Place Lalla Yeddouna through reconfiguring the public square, rebuilding the artisans’ quarter and reconnecting the public users to the Fes River.

The Artisans’ Quarter is a new artisan hub consisting of 3 main components namely, the: working and living spaces for the artisans, an exhibition and learning centre for visitors as well as a café for both local residents and tourists. Inspired by courtyard forms and narrow alleyways within the Medina, this proposal is conceived as a single building comprising of these elements. The building is accessed via 2 small openings which lead to the respective courtyards of either the artisans’ workshops or the exhibition centre. These courtyards allow the flow of natural daylight and ventilation into the building and are linked by a walkway which is exposed to the sky.

By removing the derelict building on the North of the site, an open green space with a seating area can be created, giving focus to the mulberry tree and Lalla Yeddouna Fountain. Further landscaping is created through crawling plants on roof terraces which also provide ample shading.

It is hoped that the Artisans’ Quarter will act as an urban catalyst and contribute to the improvement of the relationship between the local community and foreign visitors who are keen to learn more about the local culture and unique brass craftsmanship that Fes has been so well known for.

Medina Community Complex_Mariam Shaari

The new complex will support activities for youth and adults, expected to be an exemplary cultural site, economic stimulator and generator for the development of other projects in Fez, its region and Morocco. Aimed to refurbish and rebuild existing historic structures whilst providing a mixed use of urban spaces for the community as well as visitors to the Medina.

The concept of Restore and Rejuvenate is to restore the old existing building and rejuvenate the surrounding environment. The outline of the old building will be maintained but improved for the purpose of design to eliminate the need for a total demolition. The focus is also placed on the idea of encouraging local activities in the area and promoting the rejuvenation of social activities directly, and the nearby river indirectly. The outcome of the design is also aimed at the intention to preserve and promote comprehension of unique local cultures and activities.

Hammam and Glass Workshop_Helen Flynn

Miniature glass domes are a key feature of the Hammam in Fez. These small objects, when clustered in a group and placed in small holes in the domed roof of the Hammam provide the correct environmental and privacy conditions for bathing. The bulbs allow light to penetrate the space, keep water and air from entering the space, which must remain warm and humid and also maintains privacy for the users. The craft of making these small glass domes has since disappeared from Fez, and as there is currently a movement to refurbish a number of Hammams to their former glory, the glass domes must be bought in from other cities or countries.

Artefacts of Andalus, Rue Guernis, Fes, Morocco_Benjamin Hale

It would sound strange in the 1970s if the term ‘post-impact conservation’ was mentioned, as far as conservation is concerned, this was when the median and the city of Fez as a whole saw it's greatest expansion with the influx of local immigrants into the medina. Broadly speaking, conservation signifies archeological preservation of valuable objects that may likely become extinct. Today, it goes beyond a mere celebration of an historical icon. The pressure of human needs in urban heritage sites has widened the scope of conservation in order to go in tandem with social and economic development. Conservationists came to realise that their task of scrutinising stones and cleaning surfaces is negatively affected by a dearth of funding. The pressing need of the people whose heritage is a living and not a static legacy is consequently dashed.

A Campaign to Safeguard the Medina of Fez

Here is a link to a PDF highlighting a project to safeguard the Medina of Fez.

Click here for the link.