# Chaimae Himdi > Essays, criticism, and research on architecture and urbanism. > Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.3, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Art Deco Casablanca: Architecture of a Negotiated Identity](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/art-deco-casablanca-architecture-of-a-negotiated-identity/): Published in Rethinking the Future This essay explores the evolution of Casablanca’s architectural identity through the intersection of Néo-Mauresque, Art Deco, and emerging modernist architecture during the French Protectorate. The essay examines how architecture became a medium through which French colonial ambitions, Moroccan cultural references, and changing social aspirations were negotiated. Tracing the city’s transformation - [PRIVACY IN MOROCCO: AN ARCHITECTURAL REQUIREMENT](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/privacy-in-morocco-an-architectural-requirement/): In Morocco, the desire to remain "unseen" is deeply rooted. It's influenced by cultural and religious values that prioritize privacy. This inclination raises intriguing questions about contemporary Moroccan architecture. Are architects truly attuned to this intrinsic need when designing residential projects? What ways can architecture provide to allow comfortable privacy for residential buildings? What privacy? - [REBUILDING FROM RUBBLE](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/rebuilding-from-rubble/): Palestine's regeneration Highlights Devastation & Intent:• Profound devastation in Gaza, a deliberate act to erase people and place.• Massive destruction:63% of buildings, 87%+ schools/universities, 84% health facilities destroyed.• Echoes of Warsaw and Hiroshima.Rebuilding as Resistance:• Rebuilding is re-affirmation of belonging.• Debris as foundation for renewal.Rebuilding Challenges:• Unexploded ordnance poses safety and economic threats.• Psychological toll - [Sacré-Cœur de Casablanca by Paul Tournon](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/sacre-coeur-de-casablanca-by-paul-tournon/): Published in Rethinking the Future Often called a cathedral, Casablanca's Sacré-Cœur was in fact the Protectorate city's main Catholic church. Built over twenty years to Paul Tournon's design, it fell into disuse before Abderrahim Kassou's renovation gave it a second life as a cultural centre. Read the original publication → - [How Light Shapes Our Experience of Space](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/how-light-shapes-our-experience-of-space/): Published in Rethinking the Future Natural light is the one element that carries an architect's design decisions, from layout and materials to colour and scale. Two rooms can share the same enclosed composition, like a monastic cell and a prison cell, yet the placement, intensity, and framing of daylight decide whether one feels spiritual and - [A Visit to the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/a-visit-to-the-musee-yves-saint-laurent-marrakech/): Studio KO's Musée Yves Saint Laurent is easy to admire for its facade, its material choices, and its relationship to the city around it. What is less discussed is what happens once a visitor is inside, how the plan holds up against the confidence of the entry sequence. This piece takes both questions seriously, moving from the building's concept to the lived experience of moving through it. - [Inside Casablanca's New Photography Museum](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/inside-casablancas-new-photography-museum/): Museums often possess an intimidating quality. The simple act of occupying space can feel strangely self-conscious. Rather than welcoming visitors, some museums remind them that they are guests. My experience at Musée la Photographie et des Arts Visuels (Museum of Photography and Visual Arts) was remarkably different. From the moment I entered, the building projected an unexpected sense of warmth. The museum felt less like an institution inserted into the Old Medina and more like a natural extension of its surroundings. - [After the Arena: Reading the Jardin des Arènes](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/after-the-arena-reading-the-jardin-des-arenes/): In the Maârif district of Casablanca, a small public garden occupies a plot of land with an unusually loud history. For nearly fifty years, the site held an arena hosting bullfights, boxing matches, and international concerts, before its demolition in 1971 that left the land vacant for decades. Today, following a 2024 renovation, it holds a quiet public garden. What sits between these two lives is an unresolved question: who is this space actually meant to bring together, and does its design reflect that? - [Why Build Up? Questioning the Purpose of Height in Rabat's New Tower](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/why-build-up-questioning-the-purpose-of-height-in-rabats-new-tower/): At 250 meters, the Mohammed VI Tower is now the tallest building in Morocco. Rising above the Bouregreg Valley between Rabat and Salé, it is reportedly visible from as far as 50 kilometers away, a presence designed by Rafael de la Hoz and Hakim Benjelloun that dominates the region's skyline from nearly every angle of approach. The instinct, faced with such a structure, is to be impressed. But scale alone answers little. A more useful question is not whether the tower is impressive, but why it needed to be tall in the first place. Is its height solving a problem, or performing one? - [Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Abu Dhabi: A Museum Built to Be Recognized](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/frank-gehrys-guggenheim-abu-dhabi-a-museum-built-to-be-recognized/): On December 11, 2026, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will open its doors twenty years after it was first announced. That gap between announcement and opening, and the fact that its architect did not live to cross it, is worth pausing on before getting to the building itself. Twenty years is long enough for an architectural "brand" to be tested, refined, and, arguably, perfected, and Abu Dhabi may be the clearest demonstration yet that what the Guggenheim exports today has less to do with any particular museum and more to do with a formula. - [Casa Anfa: The Making of a New Urban District](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/casa-anfa-from-proposal-to-present/): Casablanca's former Anfa airport, once located at the city's edge, has been gradually engulfed by urban expansion. In 2007, its 350-hectare site became available for redevelopment: an opportunity to reinvent the city from the center outward. Urbanist Manuel de Solà, reflecting on the competition shortly after its conclusion, describes the project as part of a broader international phenomenon in which former airports, ports and industrial infrastructures become the foundations for entirely new urban districts. Yet he also warns that removing these infrastructures means losing part of the complexity that once defined the modern metropolis. The challenge, therefore, was to construct a new piece of city without erasing the urban richness that preceded it. Nineteen years later, Casa Anfa is still under construction. This makes it premature to judge the project as a success or failure. What can already be examined, however, is how the winning proposal has evolved between the competition and the current masterplan. - [Casablanca’s New Gateway: What It Means for a Terminal to Feel Moroccan](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/casablancas-new-gateway-what-it-means-for-a-terminal-to-feel-moroccan/): Published in Morocco World News An opinion piece examining how airport terminals communicate national identity through architecture, using Casablanca's future terminal as a case study. Read the original publication → - [One Vocabulary, Two Intentions: Ricardo Bofill’s Two Campuses for UM6P](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/one-vocabulary-two-intentions-ricardo-bofills-two-campuses-for-um6p/): Published in Morocco World News A comparative look at Ricardo Bofill's two campuses for UM6P in Benguerir and Rabat, tracing how an identical architectural vocabulary can be justified by two entirely different logics, one rooted in site and climate, the other in building a coherent university brand. Read the original publication → - [Is Morocco's New Stadium Worth Building?](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/is-moroccos-new-stadium-worth-building/): As Morocco prepares to host AFCON 2025 and co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the country is undergoing an unprecedented transformation of its sporting infrastructure. Nine stadiums are being renovated, and three entirely new venues are planned ; including the highly anticipated Stade Hassan II, envisioned as one of the world’s largest stadiums. Yet as - [Why Our Houses Overheat in Summer and Freeze in Winter](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/why-our-houses-overheat-in-summer-and-freeze-in-winter/): Thermal comfort in Moroccan housing is often treated as a secondary concern. Something addressed only through air conditioning, heavy curtains, or personal adaptation rather than intentional design. As a result, many dwellings experience pronounced thermal discomfort; interiors that overheat by midday in summer, grow uncomfortably cold in winter, and depend increasingly on mechanical systems to - [The Dilemma of Urban Development](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/the-dilemma-of-urban-development/): The case of Avenue Royale in Casablanca, Morocco. Urban development projects are often conceived from a strategic, institutional perspective. Planned by public authorities and urban professionals, they aim to improve the city through objectives such as modernization, mobility, or economic development, and are typically justified in the name of the public interest.Yet cities are not - [The City That Never Arrived](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/the-city-that-never-arrived/): Across Morocco, new cities were planned as ambitious responses to uncontrolled urban expansion and speculative land development. Presented as alternatives to congested metropolitan areas, these projects promised self-sufficient communities, social diversity, sustainable growth, and a higher quality of urban life.Despite these aspirations, many of these urban projects continue to struggle with weak economic activity, declining - [The Boundaries of The Kitchen](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/behind-the-kitchen-door/): The kitchen is often described as the heart of the home, yet its place within the house varies greatly across cultures. In some homes, it is integrated into everyday family life; in others, it occupies a more secluded position. These differences are not merely functional choices but reflections of broader ideas about privacy, hospitality, and - [PTSD : ARCHITECTURE'S RESPONSE](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/ptsd-architectures-response/): The case of Palestine The ungoing situation in Palestine provides a poignant example of architecture's complex relationship with human experience. It can contribute to emotional trauma, amplifying feelings of fear and vulnerability. Yet, it also possesses the potential to heal, offering solace, comfort, and safety. What specific ways did architecture exacerbate the trauma faced by - [HOW AI IS CHANGING THE WAY ARCHITECTS WORK.](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/how-ai-is-changing-the-way-architects-work/): From the master builder who once designed and constructed by hand, the architect’s role has gradually became more precise and specialized. Over time, design separated from construction, and creativity from engineering, refining architecture into a discipline of exact vision and conceptual mastery. Now, with AI, this evolution enters a new phase, where precision meets intelligence, ## Pages - [Collaborate](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/collaborate/): I work with architects, real estate developers, and media platforms who want their projects, ideas, or work written about with clarity, depth, and genuine critical thinking. Who I work with: Architecture and design firms Real estate developers Digital media platforms Anyone seeking well-written content about architecture and urbanism What I offer: Opinion pieces and creative - [About](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/about/): Hi, i’m Chaïmae! An architect and writer. In this journal, I document my observations and reflections on architectural concepts and contemporary topics, creating a space to explore the ideas that shape the built environment today. My work combines research, reading, and critical analysis, producing content that invites reflection and thoughtful engagement. This journal is a - [Published Work](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/published-work/): Essays published by external media outlets. A selection of articles and opinion pieces featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications. Each entry links to the original publication. Casablanca’s New Gateway: What It Means for a Terminal to Feel Moroccan Published in Morocco World News · July 2026 An opinion piece examining how airport terminals communicate - [The Journal](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/the-journal/): Original essays published on this website. A collection of architectural criticism, research, and reflections examining buildings, cities, and the ideas that shape them. ## Categories - [Essays](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/category/essays/) - [Published Elsewhere](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/category/published-elsewhere/): Essays and opinion pieces originally published by newspapers, magazines, and digital publications. Each entry links to the original publication. ## Tags - [architecture](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/architecture/) - [c&d waste](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/cd-waste/) - [color theory](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/color-theory/) - [courtyard](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/courtyard/) - [demolition](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/demolition/) - [destruction](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/destruction/) - [displacement](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/displacement/) - [healing](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/healing/) - [introversion](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/introversion/) - [intuitive layouts](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/intuitive-layouts/) - [mashrabiya](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/mashrabiya/) - [Morocco](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/morocco/) - [openness](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/openness/) - [palestine](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/palestine/) - [post-war](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/post-war/) - [prisons](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/prisons/) - [privacy](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/privacy/) - [prospect-refuge theory](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/prospect-refuge-theory/) - [ptsd](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/ptsd/) - [rebuilding](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/rebuilding/) - [reconstruction](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/reconstruction/) - [rubble](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/rubble/) - [trauma](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/trauma/) - [trauma-informed design](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/trauma-informed-design/) - [thermal comfort](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/thermal-comfort/) - [overheating](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/overheating/) - [freezing](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/freezing/) - [insulation](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/insulation/) - [thermal inertia](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/thermal-inertia/) - [rtcm](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/rtcm/) - [air ventilation](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/air-ventilation/) - [urban development](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/urban-development/) - [relocation](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/relocation/) - [housing](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/housing/) - [avenue royale](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/avenue-royale/) - [casablanca](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/casablanca/) - [sonadac](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/sonadac/) - [ai](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/ai/) - [software](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/software/) - [Tamansourt](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/tamansourt/) - [villes nouvelles](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/villes-nouvelles/) - [urban project](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/urban-project/) - [um6p](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/um6p/) - [ricardo bofill](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/ricardo-bofill/) - [campus](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/campus/) - [university architecture](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/university-architecture/) - [Mohammed VI Tower](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/mohammed-vi-tower/) - [Rafael de la Hoz](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/rafael-de-la-hoz/) - [architectural symbolism](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/architectural-symbolism/) - [skyscraper architecture](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/skyscraper-architecture/) - [Benguerir](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/benguerir/) - [Rabat](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/rabat/) - [Jardin des Arènes](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/jardin-des-arenes/) - [landscape architecture](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/landscape-architecture/) - [Mohammed V International Airport](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/mohammed-v-international-airport/) - [RSHP](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/rshp/) - [national identity](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/national-identity/) - [Tadao Ando](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/tadao-ando/) - [Casablanca Museum of Photography](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/casablanca-museum-of-photography/) - [Guggenheim Abu Dhabi](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/guggenheim-abu-dhabi/) - [Frank Gehry](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/frank-gehry/) - [Guggenheim Museum](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/guggenheim-museum/) - [Abu Dhabi Architecture](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/abu-dhabi-architecture/) - [Starchitecture](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/starchitecture/) - [Architectural Criticism](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/architectural-criticism/) - [AUDA](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/auda/) - [Urban planning](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/urban-planning/) - [Casa Anfa](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/casa-anfa/) - [Reichen et Robert](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/reichen-et-robert/) - [Urbanism](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/urbanism/) - [Airport Redevelopment](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/airport-redevelopment/) - [Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/musee-yves-saint-laurent-marrakech/) - [Studio KO](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/studio-ko/) - [Museum Architecture](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/museum-architecture/) - [Spatial Experience](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/spatial-experience/) - [Marrakech Architecture](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/marrakech-architecture/) - [natural light](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/natural-light/) - [daylight](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/daylight/) - [Sacré-Cœur Casablanca](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/sacre-coeur-casablanca/) - [Paul Tournon](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/paul-tournon/) - [Abderrahim Kassou](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/abderrahim-kassou/) - [Colonial Architecture](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/colonial-architecture/) - [Casablanca Heritage](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/casablanca-heritage/) - [art deco casablanca](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/art-deco-casablanca/) - [Architectural identity](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/architectural-identity/) - [Art Deco buildings](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/art-deco-buildings/) - [néo-mauresque architecture](https://www.chaimaehimdi.com/tag/neo-mauresque-architecture/)