The Perched House - Studio BO

The project takes place in the old colonial center of Casablanca, close to the biggest public park of the city and the splendid “sacré coeur” church. This penthouse crossing, has 360 degree view on also the old harbor and the Hassan II mosque.
Because of some low stand beam, the idea of this rehabilitation was to curve every obstacle to have this kind of spider web hung and engulfed the space. The plan was conceived as an ergonomic and scenographic movement. As soon as the visitor walk out the front of the door, an antechamber will welcome him. This antechamber act as a roundabout, because from this space, there is the access to the sleeping part, the living part, the kitchen, the pipi room and the stairs for the rooftop.
The challenge was to deal with this old colonial architecture without distorting it, while bringing some fresh and local elements and materials to respond to customer’ needs. So, the old terrazzo was repaired and conserved, same thing for the rooftop stairs and some old sanitary.
The main material used are waxed concrete, travertine stone and local beldi zellig. All wet room has been covered with Moroccan zellig beldi from Fez, which is a kind of traditional glazed terracotta tiles, laid in a contemporary way in colors of character. All doors that has been added have been designed in metal and several types of reinforced glass.
The rooftop is an essential part of the penthouse, the desired atmosphere is that of an ocean liner deck with these distant views, from or boat porthole as a door. The rooftop is coated with local cement tiles in english green. It’s equipped with a bar, storage space, seating and outdoor toilet, and it works as an independent space.
The architecture studio is STUDIO BO from Casablanca, and the lead architect is Omar Benmoussa.