The Sacré-Cœur Church in Casablanca hosted a memorable evening for the launch of the second edition of the Young Moroccan Architecture Awards (YMAA), under the patronage of the Ministry of National Territory Planning, Urbanism, Housing, and City Policy, dedicated to celebrating architectural excellence. 

This event revealed the nominees for this edition, emerging from Morocco’s young architectural scene. 

Open to architects under the age of 45, the call for applications aimed to recognize the most innovative and impactful projects, showcasing the dynamism and creativity of the new generation of architects in the kingdom. 

The opinion of Mohamed Fikri Benabdallah, chairman of the YMAA jury

The YMAA jury, chaired by architect Mohamed Fikri Benabdallah, announced the 51 nominated projects during an emotion-filled ceremony. 

This edition also paid a heartfelt tribute to Fouad Akalay, a visionary architect and founder of the YMAA, whose commitment to Moroccan architecture has left a lasting mark.

Frou Akalay and the members of the jury

A Moving Tribute To Fouad Akalay

The evening began with a deeply emotional moment when Frou Akalay took the floor to deliver a solemn and touching tribute to her late father, Fouad Akalay. Architects and professionals from the sector, who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him, shared heartfelt memories of their time with him, highlighting the profound impact he had on the profession and the field of architecture. Their stories shed light on his intellectual contributions, his major role in the development of the profession, and the lasting and significant impact he left through the Archimedia Group, touching the audience deeply.

"He had this awareness, as an architect, of being invested in a mission to move forward with all that creativity means in this profession, without ever compromising on the protection, understanding, recognition, and integration of our heritage into the world of architectural creation," said As André Azoulay, advisor to His Majesty Mohammed VI.

Frou Akalay, YMAA 2024

This heartfelt tribute reminded everyone of Fouad Akalay's deep commitment to Moroccan architecture and his unwavering dedication to passing on his passion, forever enriching the collective memory of the profession.

A Ceremony Dedicated To Architectural Excellence

After this moving tribute, the ceremony continued with the introduction of the jury members for this second edition, chaired by Mohamed Fikri Benabdallah, a key figure in Moroccan architecture. The 51 nominated projects, submitted by Moroccan architects under 45 as part of the YMAA call for applications, were then revealed by the jury members and presented to the public. All nominated projects are available online on the official website. 

"The Young Moroccan Architecture Awards have established themselves as an essential platform to support and promote the new wave of architects shaping the future of contemporary architecture in Morocco," said Mohamed Fikri Benabdallah, architect and president of the jury.

Save The Date For December 2024 For The Awards Ceremony

The second edition of the Young Moroccan Architecture Awards has generated great enthusiasm, with nearly 200 registrations. The awards ceremony, set to take place in December during a gala evening, will honor one winner per category. 

In addition to the category prizes, three prestigious distinctions will be awarded: "Building of the Year," the "Public's Favorite" — the result of an online vote — and the highly anticipated "Fouad Akalay Prize," in tribute to the YMAA founder. 

Fouad created this event with the ambition to promote the emergence of young talents and afford them a real chance to stand out in the field of architecture.

List of Projects Nominated for the Young Moroccan Architecture Awards 2024:

These nominations, spread across various categories, highlight the achievements of architects under 45 years of age registered in the competition and who shape and enrich the architectural landscape of Morocco.

Zévaco Special Prize:

• Yassine Benkirane – Monument porte d'entrée de Laayoun

• Anas Koubaiti – Ribat bioclimatique – Rabat

Health and well-being:

• Venus Architecture: Sabrina Choukry & Aya Semlali - Spa hôtel Royal Decameron Tafoukt

• Mohamed Yahya El Alj - Clinique dentaire Les Tulipes - Casablanca

Teaching:

• Zineb Ajebbar – Le lycée français international, Benguerir

• Samia Moukhalid et Mohammed Mjahdi – Lycée Mohammed Ali Skalli, Tanger

• Lahkim Youssef – Faculté de médecine des sciences et de la santé - Casablanca

Individual residential real estate:

• All In Concept: Sakina Belkasmi & Ahmed Amine Khiyati – Villégiature "L’hermitage" El Menzeh Rabat

• Merouane Oussama Zouaoui – Villas des Roses et Villas Fleuries – Rabat

Retail and commercial architecture:

• Younes Diouri – Ovillage shopping Casablanca

• Merouane Oussama Zouaoui – Sela galerie – Rabat

• MDB Architectes – Showroom Electro Bousfiha - Dar Bouazza

Leisure and tourism:

• AGA Studio – Centre socio-culturel - Kénitra

• Yassine Benkirane – Complexe salle omnisports et piscines olympiques "Les sœurs jumelles"

• Lahrech Aziza – Réaménagement et extension d’un club de vacances

• Lahkim Youssef – Piscine semi-olympique de Tit Mellil

Interior design and decoration:

•  Asri Yasser – Siège Label Vie

•  AGA Studio – Restaurant Da Milena - Rabat

•  Yassine Benkirane – Appartement CFC

•  All In Concept: Sakina Belkasmi & Ahmed Amine Khiyati – Extension école E1337 Khouribga – Mine Verte

•  Muffak M’hammad – Domus Bistro – Tanger

Renovation and rehabilitation:

• AGA Studio – Office Headquarter

• Lahrech Aziza – Réaménagement du siège de la CDG à Rabat: Entresol - RDC - étage 1 (éspace coworking – salle de conferences – bureaux)

• Venus architecture: Sabrina Choukry & Aya Semlali – Villa MB - Casablanca

• Loubna Berrada – École Universalis - Casablanca

• Lamia Hamriti – The 3 meter wide building - Casablanca

• Merouane Oussama Zouaoui – Résidence Delacroix - Rabat

• Hbibi Rida – Fondouk Kabbaj – Marrakech

Detached house:

• Younes Diouri – Villa ID Tanger

• Groupement Ibdaa – Concrete villa Fès

• Sophia Sebti – Villa Jacaranda 06

• Dadoun Saad – Villa Rubik’s – Dar Bouazza

Office building:

• Yassine Benkirane – Immeuble Laayoune
• Adil Sadik & Camelia Dendane – Conseil de la concurrence

Collective housing:

• Youssef Lahkim – Immeuble Zig Zag

First work:

• Khaoula Naimi – Préscolaire Chichaoua

• Sbai Adnane – Villa S C Dar Bouazza

• Boujida Tariq – Villa E N Marrakech

Architect Designer of the Year:

• Yassine Benkirane – Agence Archeasy Casablanca

• Venus architecture : Sabrina Choukry & Aya Semlali – Kitchenette plateau bureau M-Casablanca

• Selma Khamlichi – Century Club

• Muffak M’hammad – Booket

• Marouane Oussama Zouaoui – Banc Sela Park - Salé

Uncategorized:

• Samia Moukhalid et Mohammed Mjahdi – Stand de Luxalight au SIB 2022 - El Jadida

• All In Concept: Sakina Belkasmi & Ahmed Amine Khiyati – Complexe résidentiel universitaire de 880 lits “Amane”

• Marouane Oussama Zouaoui – Siel - Rabat

Best Male PFE:

• Othmane Boudlal – Rendre le littoral

• Salahdine Hamza – De la ville intelligente à l’intelligence de la ville : la dystopie de la Jouteya de Derb Ghallef

Best Female PFE:

• Ines Khalili – La renaissance de l’îlot Moulay-Abderrahman

• Hadj Hamou Wiam – Le corridor urbain pour une connectivité intercommunale-Casablanca

• Mouassaoui Rim – Vers un nouveau modèle d'éco-quartier adapté au contexte marocain

World Architecture Community is the official media partner of YMAA 2024. 

All images courtesy of YMAA.

> via YMAA 

YMAA Young Moroccan Architecture Awards