Genius loci

IN MOROCCO THE RESIDENCE OF A CONTEMPORARY ART COLLECTOR REINTERPRETS THE POETICS OF MINIMALISM.

Today it is no longer possible to simply speak of Minimalism: there are all kinds of nuances that build on an established trend. As can be seen in this house in the medina of Taroudant, in Morocco, south of Marrakesh, a residence with a clearly defined identity, where white lime or powder-tone walls bring out the sculptural forms of the architecture, which seems to narrate a distant time. «I discovered Taroudant by chance, thanks to an invitation from a French friend who has a home here», says Peter Blunschi, the owner, a private investor of Swiss origin who spends his time in Morocco, Paris and Venice, and works on interior design for himself and his friends as a hobby. «I took a buggy ride around the city, and when the driver saw my interest in the local architecture, he took me to see some houses». One of them was a dwelling made a century and a half ago that needed plenty of work, but clearly had the potential to become a fascinating home. For Blunschi it was a classic case of love at first sight: «I bought the place on the following day, without really understanding what a difficult project it would be». Having activated a team of local artisans, the owner launched a sweeping program of renovation that took 18 months. The goal was to «respect and restore the traditional Berber elements, while adding a touch of modernity, with very pure lines». The result is an original idea of Minimalism contaminated by local tastes, evoked in certain details and never brashly displayed. «I had the main patio covered with large slabs of Carrara marble», Blunschi says. «For the rest, we focused on local materials: the internal walls are in tadelakt, a Moroccan stucco in earth tones, while the floors have been done with matte terracotta tiles». This is the enclosure in which to position works of art and furnishings that introduce notes of western taste, in a pleasant contrast with the exotic accents of the forms and materials. «There are pieces by modern and contemporary masters like Robert Courtright, Van Dongen, Shirley Goldfarb, Olivier Premoli, Claudio Bravo and Igor Mitoraj», says Blunschi. «I brought lots of furniture from France, mostly by Christian Liaigre and Jean-Michel Wilmotte, and some Dubreuil appliques. Other items are of my own design, made by local craftsmen».