Revitalisation of Lalla Yeddouna Square.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fez’s medina is among the world’s largest. A 2011 international design competition for its regeneration elicited 1,400 expressions of interest. The winning project’s strategy, unanimously endorsed by locals, was to reconnect Lalla Yeddouna Square to the riverfront, creating a pedestrian route across the river and through the Medina’s rich urban labyrinth, while providing spaces for artisans and educational programmes, shops, eateries, nursery, women’s centre, tourist information centre, post office and fire station.

The historic bridge and 11 existing buildings were rehabilitated, and nine new buildings (including a hotel for artists-in-residence) erected. Historical references were preserved while using contemporary thinking with traditional building techniques, including passive climate control through massing and shading. Colourful tilework, designed by a British artist and made locally, evolves upwards from echoes of Fez’s 1,500-year zelige tradition to Spanish patterns and finally a frank contemporary interpretation as signage for each artisan.