M’amid El Ghizlane
The Oasis Campus centered in Earth Construction
M’hamid El Ghizlane Oasis Campus
WORKSHOP ON RESTORATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE
TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES
In the oasis, the traditional construction techniques are still alive. You will learn how to do:
RAMMED EARTH · ADOBE BRICKS
TADELAKT · EARTH RENDERINGS
EARTH AND CANE ROOFING
working alongside local masters and craftsmen.
RESILIENT LANDSCAPES
Landscape and territory will be key in this space for shared learning.
The M’hamid Oasis is an anthropic landscape, fragile and in danger of disappearance due to climate crisis, depopulation and desertification.
TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION
A fundamental part of an architectural rehabilitation process happens before getting your hands dirty.
In this workshop we will approach different techniques of documentation and analysis such as stratigraphic wall reading and material analysis.
THE WORKSHOP
The OASIS CAMPUS workshop is part of the project of NGO Terrachidia. An aim to achieve the development of small communities by the enhancement of their cultural and architectural heritage.
Within this general goal, Terrachidia‘s main project is the work we carry out in the M’hamid Oasis, in the south of Morocco.
There, we restore and reconstruct singular buildings that shape public spaces or are important due to their high architectural and social value. In this way, all the local community is benefited from each project.
Terrachidia is formed by architects specialized in different fields such as Heritage, Landscape, Earthen Construction or International Cooperation.
We try to work with local associations, but in small villages where these do not exist or are not consolidated, we communicate directly with those people who are most relevant for the community. Thus, they are the ones who decide who to hire, who are the best masters and workers fitted for the task. We’ll work alongside them and they’ll be the masters.
You’ll learn earthen traditional construction techniques and at the same time you’ll be part of a real and useful project.
Each workshop is composed of 20 participants from different origins and professions. You can be one of them!
All mornings are dedicated to construction work.
Afternoons are spent in different ways such as documentation and analysis of architectural sites, theoretical sessions related to the fields of study: earthen architecture and its different construction techniques; landscape and resilience or international cooperation and basic habitability.
There will also be a workshop session with local crafts-women of the oasis. Whom we’ve been supporting for several years in the pursuit of developing their own crafts cooperative of women, where they make pieces of embroidered fabrics as well as baskets and utensils woven with palm.
PRICE: 590€
It includes workshop training with Architects specialized in Heritage, Landscape and Cooperation as well as with local construction masters.
Accomodation in bivouac and all meals are also included.
SCHEDULE:
evening > Arrival in the oasis and welcome at the bivouac
7 days > Workshop program
+1 night > Breakfast and farewell
CLOSEST AIRPORTS:
Marrakech – Ouarzazate – Zagora
The Oasis Campus is simply amazing, an unforgettable experience so dense, strong and intense…A chance to learn, reflect and rethink priorities beyond any professional experience but rather a lifetime experience
The workshop has exceeded my expectations. I was not aware that we would have such direct contact with the local master builders, I have learned directly from them.
I did not imagine that an oasis was like this. I had a more picturesque idea in my head. I have learned a lot and I see that it is valuable and I can apply it in my projects.
Frecuently asked questions
Do I need to be an architect to register in this workshop?
Not at all! There have been participants of all sorts in the Oasis Campus workshops so far. Of course architects, but also students of different majors, historians, archeologists, gardeners, librarians…
Will I learn all earthen construction techniques or just one?
All of them! Participants are organised in smaller groups and we’ll take turns to be able to use all construction techniques in use at the site. Rammed earth, adobe, tadelakt, renderings,… We want you to get an image of the construction process as a whole.
What will I see related to archaeology in this edition?
You will accompany the team of archaeologists as they carry out their activities within the project they are developing in M’hamid. You will be able to use with them the usual techniques of archaeology, among which are the reading of walls and facings, prospection, photogrammetry, and ethnoarchaeology.
Is it necessary to have previous knowledge of archaeology?
No, you don’t. By accompanying the archaeologists, you will come into contact with the discipline today, getting an idea of the application of various methodologies.
Do I need to bring my own tools?
No need. But, it is important that you bring comfortable clothes to work in and gloves.
Any other tool needed we’ll be provided on site.
How do I enroll in the workshop?
1st.- Fill in the registration form, you’ll find a link at the bottom.
2nd.- Transfer the registration fee (590€) following the steps you’ll find on the registration form.
Remember to send us the receipt to campus@terrachidia.es
That easy!
*Places are limited and we’ll be guaranteed in payment order.
What happens if at the end I can't go?
If you cancel with a month of advice or more, you’ll get all the registration fees back. No questions asked.
If you cancel due to Covid-19, even with shorter notice, you’ll also get the complete fee back.
What about accommodation and meals?
We’ll sleep in a bivouac. There are shared rooms for 4 or 5 people each. There will be mattresses, blankets, and pillows in the rooms but we recommend you bring your own sleeping bag.
If the weather allows it, we might sleep outside, the night sky there is amazing.
We’ll have running water and electricity to charge your phone and camera without problems.
We’ll also eat meals at the bivouac, local gastronomy is delicious!
And what if I have a food allergy?
In the registration form, you’ll find a space where you can tell us all about your specific situation. We’ll do everything we can to adjust the meal plan to your needs.
Shall I hire travel insurance coverage?
Yes, to participate it is necessary to take out travel insurance with travel coverage and medical assistance.
How do I get to the oasis?
There are several routes to M’hamid depending on where you’re coming from.
Check flights to Marrakech and Ouarzazate which are the closest international airports.
Zagora is the closest airport but it only receives internal flights.
Once in Morocco,
There’s a daily bus direct from Marrakech to M’hamid that takes around 10 hours.
This same bus stops in Ouarzazate too, half way, so it’ll be around 5h to M’hamid.
Zagora is the closest town, just 1,5 hours away from M’hamid El Ghizlane.
If a big part of the group takes the same route, we usually help in organising a private minibus so you can travel all together at a fair price. But we’ll talk about that later 😉
One way or another, we’ll always help you so you can arrive at the oasis the easiest way.
See you soon!!