With the reverberations of the United States election reaching far and wide, they’re no doubt affecting the mood at the United Nations’ yearly climate change conference currently underway at COP22 in Marrakech, Morocco. Still, the program must go on, and two temporary wooden structures that reflect the African country’s architecture and moderate and sub-tropical climate—as well as address questions of architecture’s role in temporary urbanism—have been erected to mark the occasion.
The first is the Ark22 designed by Paris- and Casablanca-based firm Oualalou + Choi, based in Paris and Casablanca. Measuring 12 meters (39 feet) high and 50 meters (164 feet) long and made from layers of stacked wooden bars sourced from local forests, the large building appears to be both slight and hefty. The louver-like walls allow for ventilation while keeping the interiors cool. A wide, pointed arch establishes the entrance.
The Agora22 is made up of two restaurants and was built using oriented strand board. Its open, vernacular design incorporates multiple heights, patios, verandas, skylights, and rooftop terraces that provide views of the surrounding landscape. At the end of the conference, both buildings will be dismantled and the materials reused.
Via: Designboom