Qarawiyine Library

Architecture 

In 2012, ACP was commissioned by the Moroccan Ministry of Culture to rehabilitate and curate the oldest library in Morocco, located in the center of the medina of Fez, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was founded in 750 under the Sultan Abou Inane as part of the Qarawiyine Mosque and University complex. Built in 859, the building was conceived by Fatima El-Fihriya, who dedicated her inheritance to create a mosque and knowledge centre for her community.

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The project involved the rehabilitation of the overall set of buildings composing the library as well as designing an exhibition room for manuscripts, a small museum to showcase the history of the Qarawiyine complex, a laboratory for the treatment of old books, and a cafe.  

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