DDAR House / Othmane Bengebara Studio

Architects: Othmane Bengebara Studio
Area: 350 m²
Year: 2025
Photography: Iman Zaoin
Lead Architects: Othmane Bengebara
Architects Team: Othmane Bengebara Studio
Technical Team: Yasmine Sebti
Design Team: Othmane Bengebara Studio
Interior Design: Cap Ingenierie International
City: Essaouira
Country: Morocco

DDAR House occupies a hillside landscape outside Essaouira, where it merges vernacular Moroccan techniques with contemporary environmental thinking. The off-grid residence relies on solar power and thoughtful water systems, while its form responds to the climate through shaded courtyards, high ceilings, and carefully positioned openings that facilitate natural ventilation. Locally sourced materials such as earth renders, tadelakt, rammed earth, regional woods, and handcrafted metalwork establish a direct connection to the surrounding communities. Inside, communal spaces encourage social exchange and contemplation of the setting, while handcrafted objects created through collaborations with designers and artisans enrich the home’s cultural narrative. The project illustrates how craft-driven architecture can support ecological performance while preserving material traditions and reinforcing regional identity.

The project begins with the intention to create a home that adapts rather than asserts itself, allowing the terrain to shape its orientation and geometry. The architect and client conceived the house as an evolving structure rooted in memory and cultural exchange, where every volume aligns with the natural contours of the land. This approach allows the architecture to appear as if it has settled into the hills over time rather than being placed upon them.

The remote location required a level of autonomy that profoundly influenced the design process. Solar systems and integrated water strategies support self-sufficiency, while bioclimatic principles guide the spatial organization. High ceilings allow warm air to rise, and a network of openings channels the area’s coastal winds through the interiors, reducing heat and moderating temperature without mechanical cooling. These choices allow the house to actively participate in the rhythms of its environment.

Material considerations shape much of the project’s character. Earth-based construction provides thermal stability and a tactile quality closely linked to regional craftsmanship. Artisans applied tadelakt and rammed earth finishes, giving surfaces a natural variation that shifts with the light. Local carpenters contributed joinery and carved elements from thuya and eucalyptus, while metalworkers produced doors, handles, and fixtures that maintain the project’s handmade integrity.

Stone collected directly from the site reinforces the project’s bond with the landscape. Used for exterior pathways and terraces, it connects circulation routes to the topography and strengthens the impression that the villa is an extension of the terrain. The result is an architectural expression that prioritizes material honesty and a grounded sensibility.

The interior spaces continue the home’s dialogue with its surroundings. The sunken living area frames the landscape at an intimate scale, offering a room that encourages reflection while remaining visually connected to the hills beyond. This central gathering space embodies the project’s balance between enclosure and openness, supporting moments of retreat and social exchange.

Collaborations with artisans, designers, and craftspeople expand the project’s cultural dimension. Sculptural furniture, ceramics, handcrafted objects, and wooden pieces created for the house strengthen the connection between architecture and craft. These elements contribute to a layered narrative that honors traditional knowledge while embracing contemporary interpretation. Through this integration of material, environment, and creative collaboration, DDAR House stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of place-based design.