The Women’s House of Ouled Merzoug: A Hearth of Granite and Earth Location: Idelsane (Ouled Merzoug), Morocco
Perched on a ridge near the Atlas Mountains, the Women’s House is a sanctuary built by and for the women of Ouled Merzoug. Designed by the "Building Beyond Borders" program at UHasselt, this community center blends traditional Berber craftsmanship with contemporary design. Constructed from site-excavated granite and adobe bricks, it provides a vital space for sharing crafts, baking, and education, anchored by a lush forest garden that greens the arid landscape.
A House with Two Façades
In the village of Ouled Merzoug, community space is often defined by men. This project changes that narrative. Offered a plot of land by the village, the Women’s Association (AFOM) collaborated with architects and students to build a place of their own.
The resulting structure is not just a building; it is a bridge. Situated on a slope in a gully that channels water from the mountains to the agricultural fields, the house follows the natural topography. It is designed as two volumes that twist slightly away from each other, capturing two distinct panoramic views: the sunrise over the mountains and the sunset over the river.
The Vision: From Public Heart to Private Garden
The architecture mimics the social rhythms of the village. The Cour (The Heart): The building is entered through a central meeting place, or "cour." This open space connects the two main wings: the Atelier (workshop) and the Boulangerie (bakery). It sits at the crossing of two informal paths used by villagers, inviting the community directly into the center of the project. The Gradient of Privacy: While the center is public, the ends of the building are intimate. Each wing opens into a private garden, one for washing and coloring wool near the workshop, and another featuring a cob oven near the bakery. These spaces allow women to work, rest, and experiment with recipes in peace.
Tectonics: Excavated Architecture
The project pushes the limits of sustainable building by maximizing local materials and minimizing waste. Granite Skin, Earthen Soul: The exterior walls are built from pieces of granite rock dug directly from the surrounding hills, allowing the building to blend seamlessly into the reddish, rocky landscape. Inside, the walls shift to adobe bricks, creating a soft, cool, and breathable atmosphere.
Craftsmanship: The roof spans are determined by the maximum length of eucalyptus beams found at the local market, while the ceilings are made of reed from the nearby Palmeraie. The interior details, curtains, doors, and ceramic lamps, were all crafted by local artisans and the women of the association themselves.
The Living Building: Greening the Gully
The architecture extends beyond the walls to heal the landscape. The Forest Garden: Next to the building, a terraced forest garden was planted to green the formerly naked rocks. This garden brings biodiversity and shade to the hill, while dry-stacked walls slow down rainwater runoff. This improves water infiltration and prevents erosion from flushing soil down to the village, turning the building into a piece of ecological infrastructure.
Data Sheet
Project: The Women’s House of Ouled Merzoug Location: Idelsane, Morocco Designers: Building Beyond Borders (UHasselt) Completion Year: 2019 Area: 130 m² Key Materials: Granite Rock, Adobe Bricks, Eucalyptus, Reed Client: Association des Femmes d’Ouled Merzoug (AFOM) Photographs: Thomas Noceto, Cinzia Romanin
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