2024 YMAA Awards Celebrates Young Moroccan Architects

This initiative was established to tackle the challenges faced by the architecture industry.

Fez – On Thursday, December 12, the Young Moroccan Architecture Awards (YMAA) honored the creativity of Morocco’s emerging architectural talents during a memorable evening at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca.

Supported by the Ministry of National Territorial Planning, Urban Planning, Housing, and City Policy, the event highlighted the country’s commitment to fostering architectural innovation and excellence.

Following the success of the inaugural edition, this year’s event attracted even greater enthusiasm.

A night of recognition

The celebratory ceremony honored 19 outstanding young architects with awards and trophies, highlighting the innovation and talent of Morocco’s emerging generation of designers.

Organized by Archimedia Group — Africa’s leading media platform for architecture and construction — the YMAA aims to promote Moroccan architects and elevate their projects on both national and international stages.

Leadership in architecture

The jury of the second edition, chaired by renowned architect Mohamed Fikri Benabdallah, embodied the spirit of mentorship and generational renewal.

Known for his unwavering support of young talent, Benabdallah champions contemporary Moroccan architecture and fosters meaningful exchanges between generations.

The event emphasized current achievements and offered a platform for project presentations, shedding light on challenges and context-specific solutions.

It aimed to refine perspectives, spark critical discussions, and promote the evolution of this industry in Morocco.

Challenges and aspirations

The YMAA comes at a time when the architectural profession in Morocco faces increasing challenges and an uncertain future.

Recognizing these barriers, the jury approached their evaluations with care.

Beyond recognizing winners, the YMAA provided a space for dialogue and reflection on the practice’s future and its hurdles.

By fostering these conversations, the YMAA not only celebrates Morocco’s architectural talent but also contributes to shaping the sector’s future.

It also serves as a beacon of recognition and an opportunity to push boundaries in contemporary design.

The 2024 Young Moroccan Architecture Awards celebrated 16 outstanding projects and presented three prestigious special awards across various categories, showcasing the creativity and innovation of Moroccan emerging architectural talents.

A legacy of vision

Founded by the late Fouad Akalay, a visionary and tireless advocate for contemporary Moroccan architecture, the YMAA embodies his dream of fostering meaningful, bold, and innovative designs.

This second edition builds on his legacy by encouraging young architects to push the boundaries and honor the most inspiring projects across the country.

The awards have become a pivotal event for the architectural community, promoting excellence, innovation, and generational renewal.

They aim to highlight the transformative power of architecture while inspiring a new wave of talent that contributes to Morocco’s cultural and professional landscape on a global scale.