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The meaning of an entrance portal

And Studio Architects

The project to enhance the entrance of the Macan Development and Sotheby’s Morocco headquarters is deeply rooted in the essence of the location, interpreting it as a dialogue between tradition and modernity. The portal becomes a symbol, a threshold imbued with meaning that reinterprets the archetype of the moucharabieh found in the palaces of Marrakech in a contemporary way. It is not merely a functional element but a semiotic device that balances the dualism between openness and closure, between the need for privacy and the intention to create visual and conceptual connections with the urban landscape.



The moucharabieh, with its delicate patterns, stands as a window onto mystery, a threshold between the visible and the invisible, between the interior and the exterior. It is a latticework that conceals and reveals, allowing the eye to see without being seen, in a subtle interplay of shadows and light. More than a mere architectural structure, the moucharabieh embodies a philosophical principle: the art of balance, of the boundary between openness and closure, between revealing and safeguarding.

It reflects the human desire to observe the world without losing distance, to protect intimacy without abandoning dialogue with others. It is both a screen and a window, a boundary that does not exclude but invites contemplation.




In the moucharabieh, the rationality of geometry intertwines with the spirituality of Islamic art, blending order and harmony in a dance that transcends materiality. It is a symbol of suspended time, a prism that scatters light into a thousand fragments, inviting us to reflect on the very meaning of what we see.



The modular grid, based on the rhythm of solids and voids, becomes a metaphor for a universal order, where harmony emerges from repetition and variation. The selected materials, such as brass and walnut, carry symbolic value: brass, with its warm and mutable sheen, evokes the preciousness of detail, while walnut, with its solidity, represents a connection to the earth and memory. The ironwork, with its meticulously studied tones, becomes an artistic gesture, a chromatic choice that speaks of balance and refinement.

The walls, crafted from handcrafted fired bricks and tadelakt, are more than mere surfaces; they are textures that echo the past, an architectural skin that connects the portal to the existing villa, blending history and innovation into an aesthetic and temporal continuum.

On the left side, the LED lighting goes beyond practical function, becoming a poetic element: it highlights the company plaques, bestowing upon them an aura of prestige, while the number 8, made of backlit brass, takes on symbolic significance, evoking infinity and cyclicality, uniting luxury and meaning in perfect synthesis.

The entire project is thus configured as a spatial reflection on the essence of dwelling, where every element interacts with the others, creating a coherent and vibrant narrative.




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