Courtyard Houses - Aga Khan Award for Architecture
Aga Khan Development Network
 

Courtyard Houses

Courtyard Houses
 Location: Agadir, Morocco (North Africa)
Architect: Jean-François Zevaco
Client: Moroccan Ministry of Interiors
Completed: 1965
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Courtyard Houses Project Brief

Part of a massive reconstruction effort that followed a disastrous earthquake in 1960, this ingeniously planned, compact, middle-income housing development consists of 17 units of single-storey row houses. So cleverly interlocked as to allow each house five private patios and a service court, living and sleeping rooms enjoy light and air from two directions. Winter sun enters all these spaces, while the summer heat is moderated by cross ventilation. Economical in their use of urban land, the dwellings were also inexpensive to build, are easy to maintain and are suited to the life-style of an urbanised middle-income Muslim population.

  • Aerial view into a private courtyard

    © A. Goldenburg

  • A landscaped private courtyard

    © A. Goldenburg

  • Aerial view of courtyard houses

    © A. Goldenburg

  • A walkway to an entrance court of a private residence

    © A. Goldenburg

  • Aerial view of a landscaped entrance court

    © A. Goldenburg

  • A cluster of four residences

    © A. Goldenburg

  • Entry court

    © A. Goldenburg

  • The seating alcove is placed in the main room

    © A. Goldenburg

  • Aerial view into a courtyard

    © A. Goldenburg

  • View into a courtyard

    © A. Goldenburg

  • © AKTC

  • © AKTC



1980 Award Recipients