configured to deal with the demands of the sahara desert, this conceptual project is imagined as a vertical city towering above the vast wilderness. designed by french practices OXO architectes and nicolas laisné associés, the building contains a mixed-use program, including a hotel, housing, dining facilities and a meteorological observatory.
when approaching the structure, the tower first appears as a distant rock
all images © manal rachdi OXO architectes + nicolas laisné associés
when approaching the structure, the tower first appears as a distant rock, before the landscape widens, encompassing a maze of streets that recall eastern souks. at ground floor level, an internal pool serves as the project’s threshold, reflecting the vast vegetation covered atrium above. various spaces to play, swim and pray are found at the scheme’s upper storeys, where sweeping panoramic views are offered.
helicopter landing pads at the scheme’s upper levels
an internal pool serves as the project’s threshold
the pool reflects the atrium above
the versatile building contains a mixed-use program
various spaces to play, swim and pray are found at the scheme’s upper storeys
vegetation covers an inner tower that ascends throughout the design
the ‘city sand tower’ illuminated at dusk
project info:
type: concept for vertical city
surface area: 780,000 sqm
height: 450 meters
location: sahara, morocco
status: under study
program: hotel, housing, shops, restaurant, meteorological observatory, museum of desert and offices
project team: manal rachdi OXO architectes associated with nicolas laisne associes
manal rachdi OXO architectes (paris, france)
partner in charge: manal rachdi
project architect: vincent imfeld
nicolas laisné associés (paris, france)
partner in charge: nicolas laisné, dimitri roussel
project architect: lucile nicosia
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This very earthy ethereal expression of a mixed use tower for the Sahara is beautiful, but I would like to know more about how the designers are using intrinsic sustainable features, and how they envision solutions to the fenestration and structure, which are not really expressed in the renderings, but are important driving factors in the design of towers this tall. Also the solar elements floating above the top of the tower would not last long in a Saharan dust storm.