Inside an Eco Retreat Paying Homage to Moroccan Design

Surrounded by 80 ancient Argan trees and 25 acres of agricultural land, Ddar, a recently completed private country retreat near the coastal town of Essaouira, Morocco, is an ode to vernacular architecture, local craft, and vintage design.

Designed by Moroccan architect Othmane Bengebara, the house is a medley of heritage techniques and materials from the region, like lime and clay, but reimagined with a contemporary edge. Touches from local artisans, like handmade tiles, carved wood panels and brass handles, adorn the interiors, all rendered in natural earthy tones and textures.

Othmane Bengebara Creates An Ode To Moroccan Architecture

“The structure of the house is inspired by the Moroccan douar, traditional rural villages, where nothing is the same height or shape, so the house has a variety of volumes and weaves around the central courtyard,” Bengebara says. “We used traditional clay with sand and rammed earth for the walls, and the house almost disappears into the environment from a distance.”

The home is powered by solar panels, and water management strategies have reduced its consumption, making it an eco-friendly haven. By combining ancient temperature-regulating techniques in local architecture with modern science from bioclimatic engineers, the house avoids the need for heating and air conditioning throughout the year.

Explore This Climate-Conscious Country Retreat

“The house is positioned to be facing the natural wind channels in the north, with windows to allow the channels to come through the house. The south-facing side is more shaded, to limit sun exposure,” he explains. “The ceilings are also very high—six meters in the living room—so the hot air rises and escapes through air vents and cool air stays at the bottom. The clay used in the walls is also great at controlling temperature.”

The interiors have been decorated with the owner’s collection of local antique crafts, in addition to vintage art, design, and furniture pieces from the 20th century until today.

How This Modern Home Showcases Moroccan Craftsmanship

For example, the artisanal wood-carved bar sits in contrast with Mathieu Matégot’s 1950s Nagasaki bar stools and Ben Elliot’s transparent XChair. The lounge features a traditional recessed seating area facing a seamless suspended chimney and a 1990s Cigogne coffee table by Chafik Gasmi.

The overall result is a tranquil retreat immersed in its context, which celebrates timeless craft and architecture, but redesigned for our modern world.

Othmane Bengebara Crafts A Sustainable Refuge In The Heart Of Morocco