Oasis Campus
Safeguarding cultural heritage as a learning model
Oasis Campus
Oasis Campus is a project that proposes cultural heritage as a learning tool.
The conservation and enhancement of rural environments is a tool to achieve sustainable development of places with great heritage value, and aims to raise awareness of the importance of preserving the memory of places and the communities that inhabit them, while promoting cooperation and cultural exchange.
Oasis Campus are hands-on workshops with a broad approach to Heritage and Cultural Landscapes, in which we document and recover buildings and public spaces to improve the livability of traditional rural environments. We work with local populations to define and carry out architectural intervention projects.
There are 3 Oasis Campus: M’Hamid Oasis de M’hamid, Inzerki & Ich el Oasis.
The Oasis Campuses deal with essential concepts of cultural and natural heritage, in particular architecture and landscape: the genesis of settlements, ancestral traditions and rituals, the link with the territory, the urban planning of villages, the layout and configuration of buildings, construction systems, materials, etc.
Working hand in hand with masters of traditional local construction we offer the opportunity to learn traditional construction techniques linked to the place, such as rammed earth, adobe, tadelakt, wooden decks or earth and lime plastering. We work with the cooperatives of women artisans and with the local population, learning about their gastronomy and customs.
M’HAMID OASIS CAMPUS
” The Oasis Campus focused on earth & lime plasters (tadelakt) & traditional crafts”
📌 Zagora. Morocco
Desert Oasis
Dates: 1st – 8th February 2025
Restoration & documentation of architectural heritage: Restoration of the workshop of the women’s artisan cooperative in of Zaouia.
LEARNING BY DOING
-Earth building: rammed earth, adobes…
-Traditional earth & lime plasters
-Tadelakt
-Palm tree crafts: mats, carpets & basketry.
INZERKI OASIS CAMPUS
” The Oasis Campus focused on traditional building techniques & habitat sustainability “
📌 Argana. Morocco
Pre-Saharan Valley
Dates: 26th April – 3rd May 2025
Restoration & documentation of architectural heritage: Restoration of the ancient oil mill of Inzerki.
LEARNING BY DOING
-Earth & dry stone building techniques
-Traditional oleander roof
-Construction of apiary module
-Introduction to beekeeping & medicinal botany.
ICH & FIGUIG OASIS CAMPUS
” The Oasis Campus focused on traditional building techniques & cultural landscape “
📌 Figuig. Morocco
Mountain Oasis
Dates: 30th August – 6th September 2025
Restoration & documentation of architectural heritage: Restoration of northern allure of Ich.
LEARNING BY DOING
-Earth & dry stone building techniques
-Traditional oleander & juniper roof
-Use of oasis resources: water, palm groves, orchards.
-Visits to archaeological heritage sites.
Works performed
Participants
Represented countries
I didn’t imagine an oasis would be 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.
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 from them.
The Oasis Campus is simply incredible, an unforgettable experience so dense, strong and intense…An opportunity to learn, reflect and rethink priorities beyond any professional experience but rather an experience for a lifetime.
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.
Do I need to bring my own tools?
Not tools, but it is necessary to bring working gloves and good shoes.
Is there any cancelation policy?
If you cancel with a month of advice or more, you'll get all the registration fee back. No questions asked.
What about accommodation? And meals?
Both accommodation and meals are included with the registration fee. A very important part of the Oasis Campus experience is the coexistence with other participants and the immersion in the local culture, we will enjoy together the Moroccan gastronomy, a wonderful experience!
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 make everything we can to adjust the meal plan to your needs.
Shall I hire travel insurance coverage?
Yes, to participate you need to book travel insurance with travel coverage and medical assistance before the beginning of the trip.
How do I get to the Oasis?
The trip to the Oasis Campus is not included with the registration fee, but we will provide all the information you need to help you so you can arrive at the oasis the easiest way.
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 faire price.
Write to us if you want to know more about the Oasis Campus
Oasis Campus: tailored workshop
The Oasis Campus is an opportunity to expand the conceptual and theoretical university classroom and give way to experimentation and field work.
The classic program of the Oasis Campus, which includes the different techniques of traditional earthen construction in the Oasis of M’hamid, offers the perfect framework to delve into the relationship between the technical drawing of architecture and its implementation. As well as the opportunity to understand architecture as a social tool intimately linked to the territory and the community or social group in which it is developed.
If you are working on issues of heritage, sustainability, bio-construction, traditional building trades, construction with earth, cooperation, citizen participation, cultural landscapes… we can design together a workshop tailored to your group.
Groups must be between 15 and 25 people over 18 years old.
Get in touch with us at campus@terrachidia.es