Centre de Congrès
Rabat

As a relatively young institution, the Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique sought to solidify its identity through the architecture of its second location. The Rabat campus opened its gates in the autumn of 2024, its showpiece a conference centre capable of hosting events of all types, scales, and audiences: faculty lectures, industry conferences, public performances, etc. Beyond the provision of these facilities, the brief emphasised that the building should contribute to the university’s overall character and, by extension, to the quality of life on campus.

The Centre de Congrès is located between the first and second phases of the masterplan. It acts like a hinge joint, fitting together the two “arms” of the campus – an avenue of buildings and a more condensed cluster – to take people from one side to the other. Gesturing towards this idea of passage is a series of porticos along the edge of the site. Here, the same bright tiles are used for paving and cladding, then continue into the building for a natural progression from the patio into the lobby. Within this space, decisions over the material treatment and furniture design have been given as much attention as has the urban strategy – a "total design" across scales.

Defining the building plan are two pure geometries, the circle and the square. The circle, a sweeping free-standing wall, forms a ring around the main auditorium, the square. The space between the two forms accommodates various smaller auditoriums, meeting rooms, bars and cafes, circulation, and services. Room is also made for seating and assembly in the exterior courtyards, which enjoy views of the surrounding playing fields and wooded areas. Grand arches are carved into the circular wall such that they touch the ground only at the corners of the building, remaining open elsewhere. The effect is one of invitation to the Centre de Congrès, and what aims to be a dynamic, generous space for a rich combination of people and activities.