The Young Moroccan Architecture Awards (YMAA) celebrated the creativity of Morocco's vibrant young architectural scene by rewarding emerging talents during a memorable evening at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca. 

This event, held under the auspices of the Ministry of National Territorial Planning, Urban Planning, Housing, and Urban Policy, underscored the significance of promoting architecture in Morocco.

The Award Ceremony

During this festive ceremony, 19 prizes and trophies were awarded to the finalist architects, highlighting the innovation and excellence of the new generation of Moroccan architects. 

The YMAA, organized by the Archimedia Group — the leading media dedicated to architecture and construction in Africa — aims to promote the emergence of Moroccan architects and the realization of their projects on a national and international scale. After the success of the first edition, this competition is experiencing renewed enthusiasm this year.

The jury of this 2nd edition of the YMAA, chaired by architect Mohamed Fikri Benabdallah, perfectly illustrates the desire for transmission and generational renewal. Recognized for his insatiable commitment to young talents, he is a passionate defender of contemporary Moroccan architecture and dialogue between generations.

The YMAA also aims to promote constant improvement in architectural practice by encouraging constructive and enriching exchanges between professionals. By highlighting current achievements and providing a platform dedicated to the presentation of projects, this event allows for a better understanding of the challenges and solutions specific to each context. It also helps to refine perspectives, stimulate dialogue and develop a critical eye that is essential to the evolution of architecture.

The YMAA are part of a context where the practice of architecture in Morocco is oscillating in a progressive and regrettable weakening of the framework for exercising the profession. The jury, fully aware of the delicacy and harshness of this exercise, had to decide carefully. Some young architects did not try their luck this year, out of restraint or hesitation, while others, despite their participation, did not see their efforts rewarded. Competitions, by their very nature, are sensitive events: they reveal as much as they test, celebrate as much as they question. But beyond the result, the YMAA aims to be a space for dialogue and recognition, where the evaluation of projects is accompanied by a deeper reflection on the future of the profession and the challenges it faces.

The Young Moroccan Architects In The Spotlight

The YMAA 2024 honored architectural excellence through 16 awards and 3 special distinctions across various categories, ranging from renovation to education, along with three prestigious distinctions:

Awards

Image © Amine Houari 

Zévaco Special Prize: Villa Ribat Bioclimatic in Rabat - Anas Koubaiti

Image courtesy of Mohamed Yahya El Alj, Noesis Architecture Studio

Health and well-being: The Tulip Clinic in Casablanca - Mohamed Yahya El Alj, Noesis Architecture Studio

Image © Omar Tajmouati

Education: The French International High School in Benguerir - Zineb Ajebbar

Image © Medialaoui Agency

Individual residential real estate: "Hermitage" El Menzeh resort in Rabat - Sakina Belkasmi & Ahmed Amine Khiyati, All In Concept

Image courtesy of Younes Diouri

Retail and commercial architecture: Ovillage shopping in Casablanca - Younes Diouri

Image © Alession Mei 

Leisure and tourism: Socio-cultural center of Kenitra - AGA STUDIO

Image © Amine Kasmi

Interior design and decoration: School extension E1337, Khouribga - Sakina Belkasmi & Ahmed Amine Khiyati, All In Concept

Image courtesy of Rida Hbibi

Renovation and refurbishment: Foundouk Kabbaj in Marrakech - Rida Hbibi

Image © Laabi Raid

Single-Family Home: Villa ID in Tangier - Younes Diouri

Image © Alession Mei

Office building: Headquarters of the Competition Council in Rabat - Adil Sadik et Camélia Dendane

Image © Al Maslil Mehdi

Collective housing: Zig Zag building in Casablanca - YLA STUDIO

Image © Mehdi Mounir

First work: Villa E/N in Marrakech - THE AKA'S - Architecture Kosmopolitan Agency

Image © María Baron

Design Architect of the Year: M'hammad Muffak

Image © Youssef Echih

Out of category: Luxalight stand at SIB 2022, El Jadida - Samia Moukhalid

Image courtesy of Othmane Boudlal

Best male PFE: "Returning the coastline" - Othmane Boudlal

Image courtesy of Rim Moussaoui

Best female PFE: “Towards a new eco-district model adapted to the Moroccan context” - Rim Moussaoui

Distinctions:

Image © Amine Houari

Building of the Year: Villa Ribat Bioclimatic - Anas Koubaiti

Image © Zakaria Taberkant

Audience favorite: The Gateway to Laayoune - Yassine Benkirane

Image © Zakaria El Hamoudi

Prize Fouad Akalay: The Delacroix Residence in Rabat - Merouane Oussama Zouaoui

The second edition of the Young Moroccan Architecture Awards is the sensitive and outstanding realization of the visionary architect and passionate advocate of Moroccan modern architecture and those who define it, Fouad Akalay, who founded the competition. The YMAA represents his dream—that of a meaningful architecture—with tact and genius, enhancing the skill and audacity of Moroccan architects and raising Moroccan architecture's profile internationally.

Founded by the late Fouad Akalay, a visionary architect and ardent defender of Moroccan contemporary architecture and those who shape it, the second edition of the Young Moroccan Architecture Awards is the sensitive and dazzling embodiment of his dream.embodies with sensitivity and brilliance its dream: that of a meaningful architecture, magnifying the talent and boldness of Moroccan architects while contributing to the prestige of Moroccan architecture on the world stage.

From now on, this excellence, and generational renewal, this event will now firmly represent the legacy of his vision: to inspire future architects to innovate while honoring the most inspirational projects around the Kingdom.

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

Top image in the article: Villa Ribat Bioclimatic in Rabat - Anas Koubaiti. © Amine Houari.

All results can be viewed at YMAA website. 

> via YMAA

YMAA Young Moroccan Architecture Awards