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The revival of the riads is one way in which Morocco’s traditions persist. Marrakech in particular has a reputation as something of a landmark on the contemporary international style and design map and architects are creating new buildings by reinterpreting traditional architecture. The contemporary style known as Neo-Moroccan synthesises Morocco’s two principal architectural traditions: the ancient Southern Kasbah style and the Islamic Hispano-Moorish. From the former, architects take spaciousness, simplicity and concord between building and environment. From the latter, they borrow colour, complexity and luxury.
Contemporary architecture in Morocco includes the second largest mosque in the world, in the city of Casablanca, on the Mediterranean Sea. For visitors to Morocco, this is one of the few Moroccan mosques that allows non-Muslims access. Designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau, the Hassan II Mosque was constructed between 1986 and 1993. It boasts the worlds’ tallest minaret (210 metres). Built on a promontory, half the building juts out over the water, which is visible through a glass floor. It too can be called ‘Neo-Moroccan, since it draws on both kasbah architecture and Hispano-Moorish style. In such buildings, an architectural thread that dates back more than a millennium lives on.
