Destinations & Programmes
Architecture & Design
From medinas to modernism – an academic tour through Morocco’s design heritage
Morocco Design, Culture, and Place
This tour offers students a first-hand look at Morocco’s diverse architectural landscape – from medieval medinas and Islamic design to vernacular desert structures and contemporary influences. Centered around three key regions: Fez, Marrakech, and the Sahara Desert, the itinerary combines academic focus with cultural immersion and hands-on learning. Designed for faculty in architecture, and design, this tour encourages students to engage directly with the built environment and the communities that shape it.
Street market
Cultural Experiences
Local Visits
Sahara Desert
Fez
3-4
Marrakesh
4-5
Sahara Desert
2-3
Fez
One of the world’s best-preserved medieval cities and a center for Islamic learning and craftsmanship.
Academic Focus: Urban morphology, Islamic architecture, artisanal design
Key Sites & Activities:
Fez el-Bali medina (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Al-Qarawiyyin University & Mosque
Al-Attarine and Bou Inania Madrasas
Chouara Tannery (leather production)
Tilework and plaster-carving demonstrations
Marrakesh
A historic crossroads of design influence – Berber, Islamic, Andalusian, and French colonial – set with in a modern city.
Academic Focus: Monumental design, urban contrast, landscape architecture
Key Sites & Activities:
Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs
Koutoubia Mosque
Jardin Majorelle & Yves Saint Laurent Museum
Jemaa el-Fnaa square and surrounding souks
Optional design workshop or guest lecture
Sahara Desert
An opportunity to study how architecture responds to landscape, climate, and resource scarcity.
Academic Focus: Vernacular architecture, sustainability, cultural adaptation
Key Sites & Activities:
Todgha Gorges: geology, site-based design, and rural infrastructure
Camel trek and sunset over the dunes
Overnight in a traditional-style desert camp
Conversations on adobe construction and passive cooling techniques
Travel Information
Each stop on the itinerary offers a different perspective on architecture and design in Morocco. From the historic medina of Fez to the mix of old and new in Marrakech, and the vernacular building styles of the Sahara, students will explore how architecture reflects place, culture, and climate. Below is an overview of the tour details.
- Accommodation in 4/3-star hotels and traditional guesthouses (riads)
- Shared accommodation for student participants; double or single rooms for faculty (as available)
- Daily breakfast at each accommodation
- 3 group lunches included throughout the tour
- English-speaking tour leader present for the full duration of the program
- Private 28-seater bus for group transport between destinations (with occasional use of local taxis or walking tours where appropriate)
- Guided walking tours in Fez, Marrakech, and Ait Benhaddou with licensed cultural and architectural guides
- Visit to artisan workshops specializing in zellige tile, plaster carving, or woodwork
- Cultural activity or design-focused session (i.e,. cooking class, traditional craft demonstration)
- All site visits, museum entries, and academic activities listed in the itinerary
- All taxes and fees for accommodation and scheduled activities
- International flight
- All meals & beverages (unless specified in the itinerary)
- Travel Insurance
- Activities not listed
- Tips and gratuities
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Ready to start planning your faculty-led program – or just want to learn more about how it works?
Badung, Bali — Jl. Desa Sawangan, No. 11 Nusa Dua, 81566
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