Fundación Tres Culturas del Mediterráneo

Sevilla, Spain

The Moroccan Pavilion was built for and opened at the Universal Exposition of Seville (Expo ’92). The main entrance is on Calle Max Planck, with Calle Charles Darwin to the north and Camino de los Descubrimientos on the opposite side.  The pavilion was gifted to Seville, and now houses the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean Foundation (Fundación Tres Culturas del Mediterráneo), founded in 1998 by the Kingdom of Morocco and the Junta de Andalucía.

Designed by Michel Pinseau, the structure combines Moorish elements with a contemporary sensibility, combining glass facades with arcades, elaborate Maghrebi motifs, and a green tile cupola. Hundreds of traditional handcraft workers completed the zellij tiling, elaborate woodwork, intricate stucco that decorates both the interior and exterior.

The central courtyard on the ground floor is centered on a fountain basin, bordered by glass in the form of an 8-pointed star, surrounded by a marble edge, and elaborate zellij outlining the pattern.  While the fountain fixture in the center is decorative, and not a working fountain, the glass around it creates the illusion of such.  Through this glass, a working fountain is visible in the basement below. A glass sculpture descending from the ceiling in the basement created the illusion of water cascading from above. 

While the basement is largely clad in marble and wood painted with arabesque motifs, the floors above are decorated with stucco, musharabiya, and carved wood. The carved, stained wood ceiling of the cupola is remarkably intricate.

The facility also has office spaces, exhibition halls, and a large marble terrace with a central fountain.  

-Michael A. Toler, Archnet Content Manager

!5 September 2020