Kim Lee

Move [i]: Contact water zones

[Water within Tangier] is deeply intertwined with shaping the way communities engage with the resource. This connection contrasts sharply with modern, unsustainable practices such as the overconsumption of bottled water, hidden water infrastructure, and the excessive use of water in luxury settings.

By examining critical zones where land and water intersect—such as flash flooding areas, the gravitational consequence of landforms, and the impact of new developments—we uncover a complex narrative of water in the urban environment. Water exists in a duality of violence and tranquillity, embodying both temporary disruptions and permanent influences on the cityscape.

Experiences like the hammam bath offer a profound, intimate connection to water, emphasising its cultural and spiritual significance beyond its utility.

Looking forward, there is an opportunity to create resilient, water-conscious urban environments that blend traditional knowledge with contemporary design principles. These environments should focus on sustainable practices and the potential for the urban landscape to operate more in harmony with water.

Move [ii]: The slow vernacular commons of water in Tangier

[The Slow Vernacular Commons of Water in Tangier] values the vernacular traditions surrounding the common use of water. Water‘s role as a shared communal resource. The project is located on the northern cliff edge of the Marshan District in Tangier. The project seeks to make water visible by promoting and capturing the overlooked common elements of water within the city. Navigating water scarcity and flash flooding, the project proposes a closed water system that responds to water relations over time.

The project conceptualises water as a “commons,” emphasising its collective value. By incorporating traditional practices like the hammam and ceramic water pots, the design celebrates water not just as a utility, but as a shared, communal asset that unites people, rituals, and spaces. The program includes an aceramic workshop, hammam, and mint tea café, creating opportunities for communal engagement and slower, more meaningful interactions with water, contrasting with modern practices of overconsumption and privatisation. The projects seek to disrupt the overconsumption of plastic water bottles and wasteful water usage and present as a reminder of vernacular traditions.

The project is a test hyphen, testing programmes that can expand beyond the site. The clay water pots made on-site act as a vessel to share the message and promote the idea of re-commoning water on an urban scale.

Move [iii]: Flow of water through earthen vessels

[Flow of water through earthen vessels] explores the concept of “Material Crossings,” delving into the interplay of materials, technology, and environment within Tangier. Our focus is on crafting material contact zones that embody vitality and delight, whilst embracing at time-based approach to technological innovation. This move aims to reimagine conventional construction systems, creating material assemblies that respond to local conditions and resources—climate, water, materials, energy, labour, and knowledge—whilst considering the life-cycle performance of its components in a manner that is both poetic and sustainable. Our material palette includes rammed earthfor the gathering space in the hammam, stone, and brick for the wet bath area. Rammed earth is selected for its sustainability and its seamless integration with the cliff rock surrounding the site.

This choice not only aligns with Tangier’s traditional architectural practices but also resonates with the ritualistic essence of the hammam. Inspired by the precedent of the swimming pool in Toro, Spain, we experimented with the construction method, particularly focusing on the joint between the rammed earth wall and the timber ceiling slab.

[The hammam]

's junction creates a rhythmic pattern of openings to the skylight, enhancing the spatial experience and connecting the interior to the sky. The design also incorporates retaining walls to address the environmental challenges posed by the sloping site. A gabion wall in the middle courtyard connects to the greenery, echoing the traditional Tangier architecture’s emphasis on middle garden spaces. This integration of materials reinforces the structure and creates a harmonious dialogue with the natural environment.

[The pottery workshop]

utilises clay bricks and various forms of tiles , exploring different combinations to celebrate the diversity of materials. Inspired by the Wall House in India and the Ningbo Historic Museum in China, we incorporate both common burnt clay bricks produced in the workshop and recycled concrete. This mixture of bricks and tiles reflects the workshop’s output and captures the impermanence of materials and the cultural memories they hold . By recontextualising these materials, we aim to create a space that is both functional and culturally resonant, embodying the slow vernacular commons of Tangier.

Move [iv]: Water path of nourishment from soil to sip

[Water path of nourishment from soil to sip] explores how the design can emphasize the commitment to sustainable and efficient water use through a shared and closed system . The project’s water infrastructure is designed to seamlessly integrate with the architectural fabric, ensuring that water is managed responsibly and efficiently across various spaces.te more in harmony with water.

During the rainy season, a water-collecting fabric is deployed on the tensile structure, allowing for the collection of rainwater, which is then stored in a central tank for use during the dry season. This system is complemented by a fog collector that further enhances the project’s resilience in managing water scarcity. Additionally, the roof is designed to facilitate rainwater collection, ensuring that every drop is captured and utilized effectively.

The shared water system circulates water throughout the building, serving different needs in various spaces. In the hammam, where water is essential for the ritualistic baths, the system ensures a steady supply of heated water. The furnace not only heats water for the hammam but also for the café, where it is used for preparing mint tea, reinforcing the concept of water as a communal resource. Additionally, the furnace is used to fire the clay water pots, creating a closed loop where water is both a utility and a medium for cultural expression.

The closed system is designed to minimize waste and maximize efficiency. Water is carefully managed to meet the specific temperature requirements of each space. For instance, the hammam requires water at a higher temperature for the steam baths, while the café needs water at a suitable temperature for brewing tea. The pipes that distribute water throughout the architecture are thoughtfully integrated, ensuring that they are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, enhancing the overall design.

The project also emphasizes the sensorial experiences of water, drawing on its cooling properties and the vernacular traditions of sustainable water use. By responding to the cliffside location, the design harnesses the visual qualities of the sea view and the subsequent soundscape. Water’s presence is felt through its physical manifestations—such as cascading roofs, the drying courtyard for water pots, and the fog collector—as well as its auditory qualities. The sounds of flowing and dripping water create a rich, immersive environment that enhances the sensory experience of the space.

Through the multifaceted roles that water plays in the project, we aim to catalyse a reharmonization of the city with its vital waterscape. This approach not only addresses the practical aspects of water management but also celebrates the cultural and sensory dimensions of water, fostering a deeper connection between the community and this essential resource. By integrating sustainable practices with traditional knowledge, the project seeks to create a resilient, water-conscious urban environment that respects and enhances Tangier’s unique identity as a contact zone.