Cool Spaces: Perched House by Studio BO

WORDS Cheri Morris PHOTOS Alessio Mei via archdaily.com

Perched House by Studio BO is a penthouse rehabilitation project in Morocco that honours its architectural history and cultural context while delivering contemporary, clean aesthetics and functionality fit for extroverts.

Located in Casablanca, Perched House features 360-degree views of the scenic harbour, rolling cityscape and the iconic Hassan II Mosque. The brief required restoration that was sensitive to historical preservation – a need that landed the architects in tricky dialogue with immovable, low support beams. The solution? An aesthetic exchange between old and new. A scenographic approach that sees walls and roofing curve over obstacles; an architectural web of insertions that reface the space.

READ MORE: Moroccan Country House

Waxed concrete and travertine stone dominate the space – a skeleton of gentle geometrics donning charcoals and creams. Perched House’s muted bones are enlivened by bold art and the statement placement of monochrome beldi zellig – traditional glazed terracotta tiles, but laid in contemporary ways.

All old terrazzo was repaired and conserved, as were the rooftop stairs and some sanitary items.The rooftop is the home’s heart. It gives ocean liner deck with its distant views, green tiles and full-service functionality – there’s a bar, storage space, seating and an outdoor bathroom.

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