Moroccan Architecture: Brutalism's Gift

In 1956, as Morocco gained independence from France, the nation embarked on an ambitious journey of rebuilding and redefining itself. The country faced an urgent need for modern infrastructure—schools, hospitals, government buildings, and hotels. At the heart of this transformation was Brutalist architecture, a bold and functional style that became synonymous with Morocco’s quest for a new identity. With its functional design and reliance on pre-fabricated concrete, Brutalism enabled rapid construction while embodying the spirit of a modern, independent Morocco.

But Brutalism’s impact went beyond function. Its simplicity and neutrality provided the perfect canvas for integrating subtle Moroccan decorative elements, blending the efficiency of modernism with the artistry of tradition. This fusion gave rise to Moroccan Brutalism—a unique architectural hybrid that transformed necessity into cultural expression and made Brutalism not just a solution, but a gift for Morocco’s future.

Moroccan Brutalism demonstrates that Moroccan architecture is more than just buildings; it is a design language—a cultural expression and art form that transcends functionality, weaving together history, identity, and creativity in every structure.

Brutalism is an architectural style known for its bold use of raw, exposed concrete and large, often futuristic forms. It strips buildings down to their structural elements—like pillars and beams—giving the architecture a sense of transparency and strength. Imagine Brutalism as a human body, where muscles and bones are visible beneath the skin in a beautiful, honest way. It treats architecture as an art form, emphasizing the emotional experience people have when they interact with the space.

Born in post-WWII Britain, Brutalism emerged as a human response to the cold, machine-like aesthetic of early modernism. Unlike the minimalist Bauhaus style, Brutalism embraces a more expressive, raw form of modern architecture. It’s not just about function; it’s about how the exposed concrete, rough textures, and visible structure make people feel. These elements bring a building’s internal workings to light, showing how it stands—like the bones holding it up—while leaving the materials in their natural state.

Brutalist buildings remind us of a primal link between shelter and art, where raw materials are used in their most honest forms, evoking a deeper human connection. In architecture, "Brutalism is about feeling". The transparency of the structural elements and the exposure of the raw materials evoke an instinctive feeling within.

The connection with a construction meant for shelter goes beyond just a functional one. Birds craft their nests in symmetrical patterns. Spiders spin beautiful webs with an innate geometrical set of instructions. It's a primal instinctive need to be in touch with the raw materials and to see them as they are. Add subtle touches of Moroccan decorative elements and there you go. Moroccan brutalism is pure art. A feast for the senses.

When Morocco gained independence in 1956, the country needed a strategy to build modern infrastructure quickly, as universities, hospitals, and government buildings were urgently needed. Brutalism became the perfect architectural solution for two reasons: Firstly, it could symbolize Morocco’s modern and independent identity. Secondly, it allowed for fast construction. A key feature of Brutalism is it's use of pre-fabricated concrete. This allowed for the concrete to arrive at the construction site pre-made and this eliminated the need for tailored concrete manufacturing at the site itself. Another thing, is that Brutalism lacks small decorative details which also significantly decreased construction time.

However, because of this lack of details, the neutrality of its appearance gave room for the addition of subtle Moroccan decorative elements. By blending Morocco’s architectural traditions with the functionality of Brutalism, a unique hybrid was born—Moroccan Brutalism. This style combined the efficiency of modern Brutalism with subtle traditional Moroccan touches, resulting in buildings that were both functional and deeply artistic. Brutalism became Morocco's gift. And Moroccan Brutalism became our gift.

Moroccan Brutalism stands out from other global Brutalist movements due to its distinctive local adaptations. Beyond incorporating cultural elements like intricate Moroccan tiles, ceramics, and geometric patterns, it also responds to the country’s hot climate. While Brutalist architecture elsewhere often features open structures to maximize natural light, Moroccan architects designed more enclosed buildings to provide shade and cool interiors. This combination of practical climate adaptations and a seamless blend of modernist design with traditional Moroccan identity defines the uniqueness of Moroccan Brutalism.

Let’s explore how Moroccan Brutalism was expressed in different cities across the country, each adapting the architectural style in unique ways.

In Casablanca, Morocco's largest city, the need to modernize infrastructure drove the rapid construction of universities, hospitals, and public buildings in the Brutalist style. The Post Office, designed by Abdeslam Farawi, stands as a prime example of this efficiency. Notably, the University of Medicine was built in just six months using prefabricated concrete, highlighting Brutalism’s ability to meet the country's demands for rapid growth.

After the catastrophic 1960 earthquake, Agadir became a canvas for international Brutalist architects. Figures like Hans Lens contributed to rebuilding key structures, including the Lebanon Mosque and a sports complex, both designed with Brutalism’s bold forms. The city’s reconstruction reflected the urgent need for resilience and quick recovery, with Brutalist buildings at the forefront.

As Morocco sought to attract international tourists, the construction of hotels became a priority. In Marrakech, hotels like Hotel El Mohad combined Brutalism’s strong geometric forms with subtle Moroccan elements. Though some hotels have been altered, many still retain their Brutalist exteriors, reflecting the city's modernist architectural experiment.

Even in Morocco’s remote Atlas Mountains, Brutalist architecture played a significant role during the tourism boom. Architects like Abdeslam Farawi built a series of state-owned hotels in these regions, placing Brutalist structures atop the highest village points, integrating raw concrete forms with the natural landscape.

As Morocco’s Brutalist era ended in the late 1970s, it left behind a legacy of buildings that captured the country's modern spirit. Today, efforts to preserve these structures, like the Sidi Harazem Thermal Bath Station revitalization project, highlight the ongoing importance of Moroccan Brutalism in the nation’s cultural and architectural heritage.

Moroccan Brutalism is more than just a chapter in architectural history—it’s a symbol of a nation forging its identity through design. The fusion of modernist Brutalism with Moroccan heritage created unique structures that continue to inspire architects and artists today. From Rabat’s administrative buildings to the abandoned hotels of the Atlas Mountains, Moroccan Brutalism tells the story of an era where architecture became an art form, shaping both Morocco’s past and its future.

Are you captivated by the architectural fusion of modernism and Moroccan heritage? Stay tuned for our next blog, featuring an in-depth interview with Oussama Ouardassi, a visionary architect and visual artist from Rabat. While you wait, explore our exclusive collection of Moroccan Brutalism-inspired art prints by Oussama. His work beautifully reflects Morocco’s rich design legacy, blending the raw forms of Brutalism with the cultural influences that define modern art today.