Leopold Banchini Crafts Ethereal Dar El Farina Residence in Morocco

Hemmed within the sandy hues of Morocco’s desertic plot of Al Haouz, Dar El Farina, a minimalist eco-centric private residence stretches out like a fine rectangle in the desert. Crafted by Geneva-based Leopold Banchini Architects, this ethereal private residence stands atop two ancient water systems that have shaped the land for centuries: the Mesref, a small open channel, that flows intermittently, bringing life to agricultural fields, and the Khetara, an underground water gallery over a thousand years old, which was built during the Almoravid era and designed to transport water from distant groundwater sources.

Walking by Dar El Farina, its textured profile sweeps through the desert like a coral red mirage, hidden within its surroundings. Traditional yet sensibly contemporary, it is crafted with two parallel rammed earth walls, rising in perfect alignment with the below irrigation systems. Its linear allure divides the plot into two strikingly contrasting scenes: barren on one side and lush and verdant on the other, thanks to existing ancestral systems.

Wrapped in between these warm red walls, a series of domestic spaces, patios and water basins are aligned sequentially. Large pivot doors in between blur the boundaries between the enfilade of rooms while allowing for their connection or division. While strolling through the space, you might stumble upon a built-in bed or couch, cosily camouflaged within the rosy floor tiles.

A series of carefully placed skylights, in various shapes and sizes, invite bouquets of sunlight to flood the space, filling it with warmth and casting colourful reflections from the traditional glazed zellige tiles lining them. Carved into the western wall, a string of vertical openings lets additional sun rays stream in, shimmering over the central water feature and adding a rhythmic quality to the overall atmosphere.

Manifesting an eco-centric philosophy, this fully off-grid residence is sustained by the natural resources found on-site - soil, sunlight and water. The thick earthy walls, carefully regulated sunlight, water features and native vegetation work in harmony to create a cool microclimate, offering a shaded sanctuary amidst the desert’s harshness.

Photography Credit: Rory Gardiner