Moroccan Interiors.

By Lisa Lovatt-Smith

Taschen [pounds]24.99

ISBN 3-8228-8177-5

This study of some 40 homes in Morocco is the result of six years of intensive research and travel in the Kingdom. Documenting Morocco's architectural heritage and lifestyles for an international readership of interior design journals gave the author and photographers intimate access to the splendours of many homes. These are as various as cave dwelling 'troglodyte' fishing communities on the Atlantic coast and the woollen tents of nomadic Berber tribes in the Atlas mountains, but the main focus is on the town house, built in the Islamic style that has predominated in the Kingdom since the 7th century.

Morocco can boast some of the best preserved medinas, or old towns, in the Muslim world. Whereas many nations have systematically demolished old quarters in the great cities of the Maghreb and Middle East to make way for modern developments, Morocco has inherited an architectural past relatively unscathed. During the former protectorate era under French administration, Morocco was transformed with the building of roads, railways, ports, new housing and public buildings - but these were always planned to leave medinas intact.

Paradoxically, after independence, many of the wealthy Moroccans who owned old houses in the medina moved to modern dwellings in the new towns, to be replaced by an influx of rural peoples in a classic example of 'urban drift'.

There has been another influx of peoples too. Many discerning overseas visitors have bought derelict and empty properties to restore them, and transform them into sumptuous homes. Around half of the properties profiled are lived in, at least for part of the year, by American and European owners who have mainly chosen homes in Marrakesh and Tangier.

Moroccan homes have a special appeal as creative retreats for artists, architects, designers, stylists, writers, painters and photographers, who all share a fascination with the Orient. In an interesting cross reference, the home of expatriate US painter, architect, furniture and jewellery designer Stuart Church is illustrated. He has lived and worked in Morocco for over 30 years. One photograph of his studio shows a painting standing on an easel. It is a work-in-progress portrait of Sheika Fatima Al Sabah whose own home is also featured earlier in the book.

One of the most striking features of Islamic architecture is the care taken to provide privacy from the outside world. Exterior walls are generally featureless, windows if any being small and set high in walls. Sometimes doors have decorative elements that reflect the taste and status of the owners, but otherwise all embellishments and decor are reserved for the inner space. Entry to a house is usually through a central courtyard or garden. They often feature a fountain and a shaded seating area for repose during the heat of the day.

Rooms are set around all four sides of the courtyard and often roof terraces provide sleeping areas. Traditional Moroccan houses follow these precepts which protect against wind, dust and the sun's heat.

The book's splendid photography illustrates private homes of great diversity. Although interior decoration is not exclusively Moroccan - in many instances owners have chosen themes from different cultures for their living space - there is ample evidence that traditional Moroccan craftsmanship and fine materials will continue to be a rich and valuable resource for Morocco's new wave of contemporary architects and designers.