Lalla Yeddouna Square Revitalization by Mossessian Architecture & Yassir Khalil Studio

Fez’s medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as one of the most complex and culturally rich urban areas in the world. In 2011, an international design competition sought to breathe new life into one of its most significant public spaces — Lalla Yeddouna Square. The competition drew over 800 entries, reflecting the global importance of the site. The winning proposal, developed by Mossessian Architecture in collaboration with Yassir Khalil Studio, was praised for its sensitivity, vision, and ability to connect the historical and social fabric of the medina with contemporary needs.

At the core of the design was a simple yet transformative aim: to reconnect the square with the riverfront through a pedestrian-friendly route. This new urban link meanders through the dense, labyrinthine streets of the medina, opening up to artisan workshops, local shops, small eateries, educational facilities, a nursery, and a women’s centre. It is a route that blends daily life, craft production, and social services into a cohesive and vibrant urban experience.

Integrating Restoration and Contemporary Design

The project is a carefully balanced combination of restoration and innovation. Eleven historic buildings, including a heritage bridge, were rehabilitated with respect to their architectural character. Alongside them, nine new structures were constructed, seamlessly integrating into the historic grain while introducing modern building performance standards.

One of the most impactful interventions was the re-stitching of the riverbanks through new pedestrian bridges and improved physical and visual access to the water. Previously, this section of the river had been blocked, neglected, and used for waste dumping. The revitalization reoriented the river as a key public asset, recalibrating its bed to manage seasonal flooding, improving both ecological function and public safety.

Climate-Sensitive Architecture

The architectural approach draws heavily on the environmental wisdom embedded in Morocco’s building traditions. Passive design strategies — such as natural shading, optimized airflow, and the thermal mass of masonry — ensure year-round comfort with minimal energy use. The careful massing of buildings and thoughtful placement of courtyards promote cross-ventilation and create microclimates throughout the site. This approach aligns environmental performance with cultural continuity, ensuring that the revitalization not only looks rooted in its context but also behaves as part of it.

A Tapestry of Ceramic Tilework

A standout feature of the project is its extensive ceramic tilework, which serves as both ornament and environmental device. In collaboration with artist Michael Pinsky, Michel Mossessian worked closely with local zellige artisans to produce a unified visual language for the site. The tile designs transition from classical Moroccan motifs to Spanish-influenced patterns and finally to abstract contemporary compositions. This gradient of styles subtly narrates Fez’s layered history, while the tiles themselves contribute to the cooling of the courtyards. They also function as intuitive signage, marking the different types of artisan workshops and guiding visitors through the space.

An “Urban Room” for Community Life

The design envisions Lalla Yeddouna as a coherent “urban room” — a place where public life, craftsmanship, and tourism meet in a setting that feels both civic and intimate. Repetition of local geometric forms establishes a sense of continuity across the site, while slight variations in detail create richness and diversity. The result is a legible, welcoming environment that feels deeply rooted in the medina’s identity yet open to contemporary interpretation.

The architectural language reflects a deep respect for the medina’s historic proportions and materiality. New elements are inserted with precision, complementing rather than imitating the old. The project avoids pastiche, instead embracing the authenticity of each era’s contribution to the urban landscape.

Sustainability Through Tradition and Engagement

Sustainability in Lalla Yeddouna extends far beyond environmental performance. Local materials and traditional construction methods were prioritized, reducing embodied energy while supporting regional craft economies. Community engagement was integral to the process — not just during design, but throughout construction. Local artisans were involved in everything from stone masonry to woodwork, ensuring that the site’s physical renewal was matched by the transfer of skills and the reinforcement of cultural heritage.

Conservation work on existing structures followed internationally recognized heritage principles: minimal intervention, reversibility, and the exclusive use of traditional materials. This ensured that the project’s physical interventions remain respectful to the historic fabric while allowing for future adaptability.

A Model for Heritage-Led Urban Renewal

The Lalla Yeddouna Square Revitalization exemplifies how urban renewal in heritage contexts can be both respectful and forward-looking. By integrating historical preservation, sustainable design, and community participation, the project has transformed a neglected area into a vibrant civic hub. It reconnects the medina to its river, revitalizes artisan traditions, and provides contemporary amenities that serve both residents and visitors.

In doing so, it has reanimated a vital part of Fez’s cultural and social landscape — ensuring that this living piece of history continues to thrive in the modern era.

Photography: Amine Houari & Antoine Mossessian