Vernacular architecture, between the sovereignty of the environment and the restoration requirements: The case of Ksar of Igoulmimen and the medina of Meknes

Vernacular architecture in Morocco exemplifies the harmonious integration of human ingenuity with environmental determinants, reflecting a dynamic interplay between nature and cultural adaptation. This study reveals that restoration efforts in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Ksar of Igoulmimen and the Medina of Meknes often prioritize aesthetic preservation over functional resilience, leading to passive rehabilitation rather than adaptive revitalization. By analyzing these cases through field research and established literature, the study highlights the tension between traditional craftsmanship and modern restoration requirements, questioning whether current approaches foster 'intelligent contextualization' that balances heritage aesthetics with socio-economic sustainability.

SEDREDDINE, M. (2025). Vernacular architecture, between the sovereignty of the environment and the restoration requirements: The case of Ksar of Igoulmimen and the medina of Meknes. Vernacular Architecture, 47, 147–155. https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903391-17