Euromed University of Fes (UEMF)
Iconic space linking heritage, craftsmanship, and academic innovation.
Through workshops, artist residencies, and educational projects, it contributes to the revitalization of the Medina of Fez while providing Euromed University of Fes students and researchers with a unique place for learning and creation.
Context and Location
The Riad Lalla Yeddouna is located in the heart of the medina of Fez, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is part of the Lalla Yeddouna square rehabilitation project, a major urban program aimed at revitalizing this historic area and reconnecting the square to the banks of the Fez River.
This revitalization project was launched as part of an international competition in 2011 and completed in 2019. It includes the restoration of historic buildings and the creation of new spaces dedicated to artisanal, cultural, and educational activities.
In this context, the riad was made available to the Euromed University of Fes to host academic, cultural, and creative activities, particularly those related to architecture, design, and craftsmanship.
Space and its organization
Riad Lalla Yeddouna is an architectural space inspired by the traditional model of the Moroccan riad, characterized by a central courtyard (patio) around which the spaces are organized, the use of traditional materials and local artisanal techniques, and a strong presence of Fes zellige, used for decorative coverings.
The Riad includes exhibition and workshop spaces, meeting and conference areas, work and training rooms, and zones dedicated to heritage promotion, artisans, and cultural activities. The entire complex is designed as a multi-service platform fostering encounters between residents, students, artisans, and visitors to the medina.
The missions of the riad
The Riad plays an important role in the cultural and academic strategy of Euromed University of Fes. It is first and foremost a place for promoting the cultural and architectural heritage of the Media to preserve the traditional architecture of the medina and to promote the artisanal crafts of Fes. It is also an academic and pedagogical platform for hosting educational workshops and serving as a living laboratory for students, particularly in architecture, design, and urban planning. It is a place for dialogue between tradition and innovation that encourages projects blending craftsmanship, contemporary design, and innovation, and a place of cultural and international openness that hosts events, workshops, and artistic residencies and fosters exchanges between universities and international institutions.
SOME OF THE PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES ORGANIZED
Since its operation by Euromed University of Fes, several academic and cultural initiatives have been organized.
1. Architecture and Design Workshops
"Open-air workshop" that brought together architecture and design students from Euromed University of Fes with students and professors from the University of Florence.
The participants proposed projects aimed at enhancing the public spaces of the medina by integrating traditional artisanal know-how.
2. International Design Workshop
In 2022, the workshop "Project as caring – Making as healing," led by designer Andrea Anastasio, brought together design students from the EMADU. This workshop explored the role of design in society and the creative processes linked to traditional craftsmanship.
3. Nomadic African Studio
The Riad hosted the Nomadic African Studio, a program of reflection and creation bringing together researchers, designers, and architects. This program aimed to stimulate innovative approaches inspired by the history and culture of the medina of Fez.
4. Inaugural Conference on OHADA Law
(Master in Business Law from the Sorbonne Law School, delivered at Euromed University of Fes)
A change of scenery for the students of the off-site Master's program "Business Law of the Sorbonne Law School" during the OHADA business law conference given by Mr. Paul Bayzelon, Secretary General of the Association for the Unification of Law in Africa UNIDA and its website ohada.com. This conference took place outdoors, at the ancestral site of Lalla Yeddouna. An unprecedented format initiated by Euromed University of Fes, which aims to foster team spirit while offering students an immersive experience and experiential learning.
THE IMPACT
Academic
• Offers students a real-world testing ground
• Promotes project-based learning
Cultural
• Highlights the architectural and artisanal heritage of Fes
• Contributes to the cultural animation of the medina
Socio-economic
• Support for artisans
• Cultural Tourism Development
• Creation of a meeting space between the local community and the academic world.
Our Institutions by Academic Division The Euromed University of Fes is organized into four Academic Divisions, each dedicated to a specific field of knowledge and expertise. This structure allows for a rich and complementary educational offering, fostering interdisciplinary and innovation.