The elegance and splendor of the architecture of Riads, traditional homes each built around its own courtyard in the old medina of Morocco’s red city Marrakech, are a source of inspiration for designers across the world, reported “CBS News” in a video released on Sunday.
The Marrakech medina, a tenth-century old city and UNESCO World Heritage site, is crammed full of ancient yet still vibrant Riads, a form of architecture that channels the inner artist of Morocco’s craftsmen. For centuries, building a riad gave artisans free rein to their creativity in multiple media: ceramic, wood, gypsum, and Zellij (tiles), and world famous designers are now innovating the art in their own riad renovations.
Famous Moroccan designer, a.ka. “King of Riads,” Abdellatif Ait Benabdellah compared Moroccan riads to the most beautiful women’s long legs.
He said that the simplicity from the outside might be “camouflage” for the mysteries hidden within thanks to “the magic of noble materials” used in the construction. One of the big advantages of living in a riad, he added, is that “It is open, but you cannot hear what is going on in the Medina.”
Dutch designer William Schmitt moved from his homeland in Holland to Morocco especially to admire the beauty of the Kingdom’s unique architecture. He owns one of the most Instagram-able Riads in the medina called “El Fenn”.
Schmitt suggested that what makes Riads original is having rooms on all four sides and trees in all corners.
An American couple, working with Schmitt, left Los Angeles 17 years ago and created a tile production company after having been captivated by Morocco’s colorful zellij. They started designing houses based on Moroccan architecture.
The American couple highlighted the uniqueness of each riad: because pretty much everything in a riad is made by hand, the end result seems more precious. One can feel its history and value.
Marrakech is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco that once served as the capital of several dynasties (Almoravid, Almohad, Saadi). Known as the “Ochre City” for the unique red color of its buildings, it is home to many historical monuments and is surrounded by the magnificent Atlas mountains.