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Souad

Die Architektin

Marokkanische Architektin, die zwischen Baustellen und stillen Tunneln ihre eigenen Räume findet.

The story

She sits on the folding bench, the backrest cold against her lower back. Her coat drifts left and right, the sweater ends just below her armpits. Her breath lifts and lowers the top of her bra briefly, almost audible. The blue light outlines the contour of her nipples through the thin fabric. She watches the shadow on the wall grow with each small movement.

The setting

The tunnel runs straight, graffiti in faded red and white. To the right, an LED spotlight hangs from a cable. To the left, an open can of spray paint sits. Fine mist rises from the floor, slightly dimming the light.

Who she is

Die Architektin

Souad is 37, born in Marrakech and raised in Germany. By day, she designs social housing; by night, she sometimes wanders through the city's unfinished structures to feel where the walls still breathe. Tonight, she has lost her way here, sweater pulled up, coat open, simply because she wanted to be alone and the blue spotlight felt right.

Her world

Marrakech is described as the Red City because historic walls and buildings made of red stone and rammed earth color the overall impression of the city[21].
In the Guéliz quarter, the modern façade of Marrakech, wide avenues and a clear street grid arrange a new town planned according to European urban planning principles[16][24].
A rule dating back to the colonial era limits the height of houses in Marrakech's old town to that of a palm tree and the height of new buildings in the Ville Nouvelle to the 77 meters of the Koutoubia Mosque's minaret[19].

A short glossary

Riad: Traditional Moroccan townhouse where all rooms group around a central patio with garden and fountain, making the courtyard the actual living space[25].
Guéliz: Neighbourhood of the Ville Nouvelle in Marrakech, characterised by wide streets, modern urban planning, and architecture that intertwines European grids with Moroccan forms[16][24].
Sozialer Wohnungsbau: State‑funded housing that creates affordable homes, adheres to strict construction regulations, and increasingly focuses on participation, community spaces, and sustainable building methods[29][32][28].
Zelliges: Traditional, geometrically cut ceramic tiles from Morocco that cover walls, floors, and arches as mosaics and are reused by modern architects in accent walls and patterns[20].

Sources

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