Compendium

Cosumar: “Homage”
Land privatisation is the current world wide trend that drives the housing industry to build high
end residential projects while providing with little to none affordable homes. As the value of the
land continues to rise, old villages which houses generations of families can be easily subjected
for demolition to make way for an infrastructure development. The same can be said for the
pre-World War II dwellings of Cosumar in Casablanca, where the housing village for workers of
a sugar refinery is in danger to be taken away from its residents to make space for the expansion
of the factory.
As a part of the joint workshop with Ecole d’ Architecture Casablanca, the studio travelled to Morocco
to be exposed on a radically different context and distinctive cultural and social values to
observe through the “eyes of a foreigner” that sees things that, through habit, have been invisible
to locals.
To continue the exploration of housing typologies that provide for urban density as well as quality
of life, that are economically feasible, the studio was to propose a project that can contribute to
the current situation in Cosumar with a distinct “way of seeing” that simultaneously pays homage
to what is there and brings new expectations for the future. With the lessons learned from
its people, experiences and data collection through photography, sketches, interviews and site
surveys, we were to propose a mixed-use residential structure with the purpose of providing the
community with ideas that they could use as reasonable proofs to keep their town.
The proposal responded to the brief by reflecting the relationship between the factory and the
company town. The scheme proposes a hand embroidery studio and workshop with dwelling
units for the teacher and possible, visiting artists. It is set to be beneficial to the women of Cosumar
as the sugar factory only hires men. Providing an opportunity of work to the home stayed
mothers and grandmothers is a way to initiate equality in regardless of age and gender, taking into
consideration that homemakers have the capability to contribute to their family income. It is also
a response to the bias gender role issues our society is currently facing.
The scheme proposes a series of interior inhabitation spaces interconnected by a system of courtyards.
It comprises of two housing units in-between two embroidery workshops. The structures
are enclosed using a continuous perforated wall, creating an illusion of a singular structure when
viewed from the exterior.
Urban placemaking as counteraction against eviction
Academic Project 6
A.Y. 2016/2017 Winter