Courtyard House (Marrakech, Morocco) – Architecture Competition

Premise

The courtyard house is one of the most enduring residential typologies in architectural history. For centuries, homes throughout Morocco have utilized internal courtyards to create comfortable living environments that respond naturally to climate, culture, and privacy requirements. Within Marrakech, the traditional riad represents a sophisticated architectural response to dense urban living, offering a peaceful sanctuary organized around a central open-air space.

As contemporary lifestyles continue to evolve, there is an opportunity to reinterpret this timeless architectural model for modern residential needs. This competition invites participants to explore how the traditional courtyard house can be transformed into a contemporary dwelling while preserving the essential qualities that have made it successful for generations.

Located within the rich cultural landscape of Marrakech, participants are challenged to design a residence where the courtyard becomes more than a decorative feature. It should function as the environmental, social, and spatial heart of the home, enhancing everyday living through natural light, passive cooling, visual connectivity, and a strong relationship with nature.

The proposal should demonstrate how architecture can create comfortable, sustainable, and meaningful living environments while respecting local traditions and responding to contemporary expectations.

Objective

The objective of this competition is to design a single-family residence organized around a central courtyard that serves as the primary organizing element of the project.

Participants should investigate how a carefully designed courtyard can improve environmental performance while enriching the quality of domestic life. The courtyard should facilitate natural ventilation, provide access to daylight, create opportunities for outdoor living, and establish a sense of privacy within a compact urban setting.

Design proposals should balance tradition and innovation, exploring contemporary architectural language while remaining sensitive to the climatic, cultural, and social context of Marrakech.

The project should demonstrate:

• Integration of indoor and outdoor living spaces
• Effective passive cooling and daylighting strategies
• Strong spatial organization centered on the courtyard
• Comfortable and adaptable living environments
• Respect for local architectural traditions
• Sustainable and climate-responsive design solutions

Site

The site is a hypothetical urban lot located within the Medina of Marrakech or a surrounding residential neighborhood.

Participants may determine the exact dimensions and context of the site based on their design concept, provided that the proposal remains realistic and appropriate for the local urban fabric.

Site considerations should include:

• Hot and dry summer conditions
• Cool winter evenings
• Solar orientation and shading
• Urban density and privacy
• Local building traditions
• Natural ventilation opportunities
• Relationship to surrounding streets and neighboring properties

The proposal should demonstrate how the building responds to its environment while maintaining a strong architectural identity.

Constraints

Design proposals must address the following requirements:

• Central courtyard as the primary organizational element
• Single-family residential program
• Emphasis on natural light and passive cooling
• Clear distinction between public and private areas
• Strong indoor-outdoor relationship
• Sustainable and environmentally responsible design approach
• Use of locally-inspired or regionally appropriate materials encouraged
• Consideration of privacy within an urban setting

Participants are encouraged to explore innovative interpretations of the courtyard while maintaining functional and practical living arrangements.

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Strength and originality of the courtyard concept
• Architectural quality and overall design vision
• Effectiveness of natural lighting strategies
• Environmental responsiveness and passive cooling performance
• Quality of the indoor-outdoor relationship
• Functional efficiency and spatial organization
• User experience and livability
• Sustainability and material considerations
• Clarity of presentation and communication

Special consideration will be given to projects that successfully reinterpret traditional Moroccan residential architecture in a contemporary and innovative manner.

Budget

Participants must design within a $120,000 USD construction budget.

The budget should account for materials, construction, labor, and basic building systems.

Design solutions should remain realistic and achievable within the stated budget while maintaining architectural quality.

Competition Schedule & Entry Fees

Students may use coupon code “STUDENT” during registration to receive approximately 33% off the standard entry fee. A valid student ID may be requested for verification.

Schedule and Fees

• Early Bird Registration: 31 July 2026 ($29 USD)
• Standard Registration: 20 August 2026 ($49 USD)
• Late Registration: 10 September 2026 ($69 USD)
• Final Submission Deadline: 25 September 2026

Submission Requirements

1. 1 x A1 Presentation Board
   • PDF Format
   • Minimum 150 dpi
   • Maximum File Size: 20 MB

The submission should clearly communicate:

• Design concept
• Site strategy
• Floor plans
• Sections and elevations
• Courtyard design approach
• Environmental strategies
• Visualizations and diagrams

Outcome of the Competition

• Winner × 1
  • Recognition
  • Media Exposure
  • Certificate
• Runners-Up × 4
  • Recognition
  • Certificates
• Participation Certificates
  • Awarded to all eligible entrants

The competition aims to highlight innovative architectural thinking and provide international exposure for emerging designers exploring climate-responsive residential architecture.

architecture competition