Saverio Mecca

TRADITIONAL BUILDING TECHNIQUES OF THE DRÂA VALLEY (MOROCCO)

The present work reports the results of investigations carried out on earthen constructions in the villages of Tamnougault, Tissergat, Amzrou and Tamngrout, in the Drâa valley (Morocco). This study aims to illustrate the techniques characterizing the local building culture, in order to understand its origins and motivation. Constructions show the use of both rammed earth (pise) and adobe, used separately in different parts of the building. Floors and roofs are made with palm wood, canes and earth. The built heritage of the Drâa valley is an excellent example of high quality architecture, but also of how the local people and culture were able to respond in an excellent way to the environmental challenge, when the context was very poor in natural resources.