The A.S.A.R.I.

ASARI Insitute, Morocco. Architect: Bechu + Associés. Paris, France The ASARI (african sustainable agriculture research) institute is a research center on the silting up of the Sahara desert area and sustainable agriculture techniques, wanted by the King of Morocco Mohammed VI for Phosboucraa Foundation & Ocp. The architectural project – by Bechu + Associés, Paris, France – is designed to create a minimal impact on the environment in which it is inserted, with colors and shapes present on the territory, and with the addition of protective walls against the strong wind coming from the sea that crosses a large portion of the desert before reaching the plant. The addition of the multi-diamond canopy creates light-shadow effects similar to those found in natural oases, as well as protecting the outdoor spaces between the various laboratories from the strong sun The A.S.A.R.I. – captions 01: The main entrance to the complex 02: The entrance to pavilion D from the central courtyard 03: A detail of the sun screens that protect the analysis laboratory and of the shadows cast by the rhombus-shaped canvases on the top 04: The main entrance seen from the internal courtyard 05: East side 06: the north wall that protects the analysis laboratory from the strong desert wind 07: a detail of the wings A, B and C, south west of the plant 08: the plinth to the west which anchors the supporting structure of the upper canvases 09: the main courtyard: pavillon D on the right, wall on background