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Zellige Horizon

Our project reimagines the luxury desert retreat as an architectural horizon — a gentle fusion of landscape, craft, and contemporary living. Rooted in Morocco’s vernacular traditions, Zellige Horizon interprets the timeless art of zellige mosaic as a dynamic architectural language, offering guests an immersive, climate-responsive sanctuary.

 

The retreat embraces a low, sweeping geometry that mirrors the surrounding dunes and mountain ridges, creating a strong yet subtle integration with the natural terrain. The main structures are organised around a series of interconnected courtyards, facilitating natural ventilation and orchestrating light in a refined interplay of shadow and texture. This spatial logic not only references historic Moroccan medina typologies but also supports passive cooling and privacy layering, essential for both cultural sensitivity and climatic performance.

 

Materiality is central to Zellige Horizon’s narrative. Locally sourced terracotta, traditional lime plasters, and handcrafted zellige tiles celebrate regional artisanship while ensuring thermal mass and durability. The project prioritises low-carbon construction methods and employs prefabricated structural elements to streamline onsite assembly, reducing environmental impact and construction timelines. Photovoltaic systems and integrated water recycling further enable semi-autonomous operation, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and resource stewardship.

 

Interiors are conceived as a delicate counterpoint to the robust exterior, offering guests an atmosphere of serene intimacy. Carefully composed spatial sequences guide visitors from open social terraces to tranquil private suites, each featuring bespoke joinery, natural finishes, and curated artworks. Framed desert views and controlled apertures intensify the connection to the landscape, fostering a continuous dialogue between inside and out.

 

Zellige Horizon exemplifies a new model of high-end hospitality, where architectural integrity, cultural context, and environmental responsibility converge. Beyond a mere retreat, it invites guests to experience the desert as a living horizon — a space of contemplation, renewal, and profound aesthetic engagement.



Design: TMD

Visualisation: TMD
Location: Oulad Ayyad, Morocco
Category: Competition
Award: 1st Prize Winner
Status: Current

Zellige Horizon_Oulad Ayyad_Morocco_TMD_Architectural Visualization_Aerial view of the desert retreat masterplan nestled along a turquoise lake, surrounded by arid mountainous landscape. The composition reveals a network of earth-toned courtyard buildings, individual guest suites, and communal pavilions arranged in a harmonious village-like layout. Central infinity pool, solar panel roofs, and native vegetation illustrate sustainable design strategies. The perspective emphasises integration with the natural topography and expansive desert horizon, celebrating vernacular forms and contemporary environmental stewardship.
Zellige Horizon_Oulad Ayyad_Morocco_TMD_Architectural Visualization_Minimalist infinity pool overlooking a vast desert lake and distant mountain landscape at dawn. A solitary figure in light attire walks along the edge, evoking tranquillity and introspection. Elegant wooden sun loungers with neutral cushions line the pool terrace, seamlessly merging with the serene natural surroundings. The composition highlights the project’s contemplative atmosphere, strong horizon line, and sensitive integration with Morocco’s arid terrain.
Morocco-Oasis-Retreat-Oulad Ayyad-Morocco-TMD-architectural-visualisation-05.jpg
Zellige Horizon_Oulad Ayyad_Morocco_TMD_Architectural Visualization_Open-air amphitheatre at dusk featuring a traditional Moroccan music and dance performance. Guests seated on curved wooden benches observe artists dressed in regional attire performing on a central circular stone stage. The backdrop reveals a tranquil lake and distant mountains under a soft evening sky, framed by sculpted trees and aromatic gardens. The scene celebrates cultural heritage, intimate social gathering, and the project’s sensitive integration of vernacular arts within a contemporary retreat setting.
Zellige Horizon_Oulad Ayyad_Morocco_TMD_Architectural Visualization_Luxury desert retreat view featuring an expansive reflective swimming pool surrounded by lush Mediterranean landscaping, native trees, and flowering gardens. In the background, elegant earth-toned pavilions with arched façades and turquoise zellige tile accents host guests relaxing on terraces and poolside loungers. The design integrates vernacular Moroccan architectural elements with contemporary outdoor leisure spaces, emphasising cultural authenticity and serene atmosphere under a clear blue sky.
Zellige Horizon_Oulad Ayyad_Morocco_TMD_Architectural Visualization_Interior view of a serene spa or hammam courtyard featuring a central reflective water basin surrounded by turquoise and blue handcrafted zellige tiles. The space is enclosed by arched colonnades and topped with an open skylight, allowing natural light to wash over textured lime-plaster walls. Olive trees are visible through the arches, enhancing the connection to the surrounding landscape. The composition expresses Moroccan artisanal heritage, refined materiality, and a tranquil atmosphere designed for contemplative retreat.
Zellige Horizon_Oulad Ayyad_Morocco_TMD_Architectural Visualization_Interior lounge space featuring a large, light-grey modular sofa arranged around a natural wood coffee table. High ceilings with exposed timber beams and textured lime-plaster walls create a warm, earthy atmosphere. Artworks with vibrant abstract patterns adorn one wall, while expansive floor-to-ceiling windows frame panoramic views of the desert landscape, lake, and mountains beyond. Potted plants, minimal decor, and woven pendant lighting reinforce the serene, contemporary Moroccan retreat aesthetic, blending comfort and local craft.
Zellige Horizon_Oulad Ayyad_Morocco_TMD_Architectural Visualization_Bedroom interior featuring a large wooden platform bed with neutral linen bedding, oriented toward floor-to-ceiling glass walls offering panoramic desert lake views. Natural wood cladding, exposed timber ceiling beams, and minimalist furnishings create a warm, calming atmosphere. A soft area rug and subtle decor elements enhance comfort, while a private terrace with lounge chairs extends the living space outdoors. The design embodies understated luxury, cultural sensitivity, and a strong connection to the Moroccan landscape.

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