Art Deco in Casablanca
Travel has been limited in these pandemic days however, I took advantage of a work trip in Africa to plan a layover in Casablanca. I had read about the immense Art Deco history of the city and wanted to check it out. A quick walk through the downtown area and I was taken back in time.
I wrote previously of my love for the Art Deco architectural style in my blog on Art Deco in Miami and I am always chasing to see if there are vestiges of this design moment in every place I visit. While Miami displayed more of the slide toward the Bauhaus leaning of this era, Casablanca presents in all its splendor the early moments of its birth.
The church of the Sacred Heart built in 1930 at the height of Art Deco - note the symmetry ad mix of European and Moroccan style. The church has been converted into a cultural center in the 50s. It was closed for safety due to the pandemic at the time of my visit.
Casablanca or the “white city” is posed on the Mediterranean, facing Europe and has been the economic center and point of entry of a whole continent for many years. Placed under the “protection” of the French in the early 1900, the Art Deco architecture in Casablanca has been one of the most present signs of the European influence of its occupiers. I will not bore you with too many details, just know that the Moroccan capital underwent a deliberate planning and urbanization to infuse the best of French architecture at the beginning of the XXth century. The Art Nouveau movement had just been introduced in 1900 and evolved into Art Deco after the first world war and the many bifurcations of this movement can be seen in the walls of the city.
You will see in the design and construction of the buildings - several styles harmoniously cohabit - satisfying symmetry, rigid repetitive angles on one hand, then beautifully ornate iron work and moldings, sculpted frames on the other. Maybe it speaks to my Virgo self - the successful and aesthetically pleasing melange of these two seemingly opposite styles creates a distinct style that will appeal to most.
Start from the Central Post building at the intersection of Idriss Lahrizi street and the boulevard de Paris and start your walk into the Derb Omar neighborhood. Walk down the Lahrizi street and you will be welcome by sumptuous white buildings displaying the exquisite craft of artisans undoubtedly both served into sculpture and steel work.
Equal to the name of the city, most of these Art Deco buildings have white walls. Unfortunately, many of them have been left abandoned with some threatened with demolition to make space for newer and multi level constructions. A local organization Casamemoire has for mission to educate and advocate for the protection pf these historic buildings that speak of a whole era in Casablanca’s history.
La Princiere on Idriss Lahrizi street is a great example of Art Deco/Art Nouveau mixing - with its delicate iron balconies and moldings but you will admire the lines in the design as well.
This apartment building right across the church of the sacred heart is already showing the Bauhaus inspiration in its AD design.
A side view of the church of the sacred heart. This church it truly magnificent with simple lines in the construction alternating with the Moroccan lacey details.
Possibly one of my favorite buildings to photograph - what is not to love? The arched partitions, the flowery carved walls, the regularity of each floors, the carefully contrasted paint work. It allies masculine and feminine energy with style and I love it!
Everywhere, I looked for balconies and detailed iron work: sun ray designs, flowers, etc…
Another example where all aspects of Art Deco gather in harmony: straight lines, curved arches, intricate iron work, wall moldings, colorful frises - and symmetric design.
Tip: How to recognize Bauhaus inspiration in Art Deco? The design very often resemble a boat, with the combo of straight symmetric straight lines and curved balcony bars. It is called the “streamliner” look.
The Rialto Cinema Theater
