Aziza Chaouni was awarded a grant from the Jeffrey Cook Charitable Trust to design an eco-desert hotel, which will be run by a local NGO Zayla. Prof. Chaouni is currently leading two workshops in Rabat and Mhamid El Ghizlane, located in the Moroccan Sahara, to research local construction methods, water management systems and planting strategies to combat desertification.

Involved in the workshop: Daniels faculty member Liat Margolis, Bureau E.A.S.T partner Takako Tajima, Daniels professor emeritus Klaus Dunker, architect Marjut Dunker, and Daniels students Danny Tseng and Kate Slowtek.

Daniels students’ trips and travel expenses were funded by the Jeffrey Cook Grant and the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism SMIT, directed by Mr. Bennani and headed by Mr. Bougerne and Mr. Errich. The workshops run from May 17 to June 15, 2009.