The largest city in the Kingdom of Morocco has been actively developing lately. One of the large-scale projects started in the suburbs of Casablanca: a new business district is being created on the site of the former airport. The city authorities chose the Parisian La Defense as a reference point, and considered that their "icon", their own "arch" would help to attract international financial companies to the Maghreb. The office tower designed by Tom Mayne and Morphosis, the construction of which began at the end of 2014, should become such a recognizable symbol. It will not only set the direction for the further development of the territory, but also determine the scale of its development and become a reference point for the detailed planning of the area.
With its shape, the building with a total area of 21,000 m2 most of all resembles a huge crystal installed on a hidden "stand" (multi-level underground parking). But, if a real crystal has a neat, correct finish, then the upper part of Maine's tower, rather, looks like chaotic glass shards, or, as the architects themselves say, a "crown". It is she who is called to become that very recognizable symbol, clearly visible from almost all parts of the city.
Moreover, the solution is literally repeated at the bottom of the building, which makes the likeness of a broken crystal even more obvious. The second, inverted, "crown" forms public spaces and is perceived already at street level. To top it off, the main volume is “wrapped” on the outside with an uneven piece of a special embossed lattice: it protects the interior from harsh sunlight, while maintaining spectacular views of the city.
Construction should be completed in 2017.
