BOFILL TALLER DE ARQUITECTURA, CENTRE DE CONGRES, RABAT
The Conference Centre at
Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat, designed by Ricardo Bofill Taller
de Arquitectura (RBTA), is part of a campus development plan focused on giving this
young institution a new identity through its monumental architecture and
enhancing the overall image and quality of life on campus.
Planned
to be constructed some time between the first and second phases of the master
plan, the Conference Centre acts as a lynchpin connecting the two “arms” of the
campus – an avenue of buildings and a more compact complex – to facilitate
visitor circulation.
A sequence of arcades set along the perimeter of the
site evokes this idea of transition. The continuity is further underlined by
the glossy tiling on the floors and façades, which also extends into the
interior of the building, creating a natural progression from the patio to the
entrance hall. The choice of materials and design of the furnishings on the
inside are just as important as the urban strategy, conforming with a vision of
“total design”.
Two
pure geometric forms define the layout of the complex: a circle and square. The
circle, a large self-supporting wall, forms a ring around the main auditorium.
The space between the two structures accommodates several smaller auditoriums,
meeting rooms, bars/coffee bars, circulation areas and services.
Seating and meeting spaces are also distributed around
the outdoor courtyards, affording views of the sports fields and surrounding
woodlands. Large arches are carefully carved into the circular wall so they only
touch the ground at the corners of the building, creating a sort of opening and
invitation into the Conference Centre, which is designed to be a welcoming, dynamic
space conducive to synergic interaction between different people and
activities.
Client: UM6P, OCP Group,
Project: Taller de Arquitectura; CEO: Rablo
Bofill; Design Principal: Hernan Cortes; Management: Javier Guardiola; Landscape
Design: Vivian Rotie; Interior Design: Graciana de Bernardi; Site Supervisor: Polentzi
Barrera; Collaborators: 380-750nm, BD Barcelona Design, JESA, PEUTZ, ROYTH,
SIGNES; Team Members: Lucia Alija, Nicolas Architector, Sara Atristan, Artur
Akopov, Gianluca Basile, Laurie Bello, Cristian Camacho, Luis Carpio, Alexandra
Cohen, Sara Cui, Nemesios Frangos, Yamila Gianonne, Patricia Gomez, Azeddine
Guerouani, Javier Irigaray, Zineb Idrissi, Samia Joulali, Renata Keller, Lina
Kakaletsi, Katarzina Kretek, Achraf Lahmadi, Chungin Lee, Martiño Lorenzo,
Ferran Montesinos, Stanislau Naudeau, Olivia Pazos, Gabriele Plinio, Javier
Pino Fernandez, Giuliano Scigliano, Minghei Seol, Vivian Sirito, Hind Soubat,
Michele Tota, Joaquin Traverso, Clara Vila, Macarena Velasco, Smita Waghmarae. Photography Gregori Civera, Max Farago, Hernán Cortés
