Le Jardin d’Afrique, Zarzis, Tunisia

Le Jardin d’Afrique, Zarzis Building Photos, Rachid Koraïchi Artist Tunisia, Architecture Development

Le Jardin d’Afrique, Zarzis

9 July 2022

Design: Artist Rachid Koraïchi

Location: Zarzis, Tunisia

Le Jardin d’Afrique, Zarzis, Tunisia

Entrance to the memorial for migrants who drowned whilst crossing the Mediterranean:
Le Jardin d'Afrique, Zarzis, Tunisia

Photos by Cemal Emden

Le Jardin d’Afrique in Zarzis, Tunisia

On Tunisia’s southern coast (facing East, near Libya), the project is a memorial to and graveyard for migrants who drowned whilst crossing the Mediterranean.

View through the entrance door to the prayer room:
Le Jardin d'Afrique, Zarzis

The artist Rachid Koraïchi initiated the project when he discovered the situation, bought a plot of land and designed the entire project.

Large entrance door to the complex which contains 600 waterproofed graves:
Le Jardin d'Afrique, Zarzis, Tunisia

A small residence for a caretaker, a morgue and a doctor’s office, public sanitary facilities and an ecumenical prayer room form the architectural components in the walled complex.

The tile paving was crafted entirely by hand and inspired by 17th century motifs:
Le Jardin d'Afrique, Zarzis, Tunisia

Tiled benches provide a quiet space for reflection.

Preparatory drawing:
Zarzis building in Tunisia sketch drawing
Courtesy of architect

Due to the coastal location, the 600 graves are waterproofed.

Benches for the visitors to rest and meditate under the olive trees:
Le Jardin d'Afrique, Zarzis, Tunisia

The morgue contains state-of-the-art facilities to help identify the badly decomposed bodies washed ashore and previously left to decay.

The walls, domed-and-vaulted buildings, gravestones, and tile paving were crafted entirely by hand.
Le Jardin d'Afrique, Zarzis interior

All of the walls, the domed-and-vaulted buildings, gravestones and tile paving were crafted entirely by hand, and much of the work was undertaken by migrants who survived the perilous crossing.

The project contains a small residence for a caretaker, a morgue and a doctor’s office, public sanitary facilities, and an ecumenical prayer room:
Le Jardin d'Afrique, Zarzis, Tunisia

Le Jardin d’Afrique Tunisia – Building Information

Title: Le Jardin d’Afrique
Award Cycle: 2020-2022 Cycle
Status: Shortlisted

Location: Zarzis, Tunisia
Client: Rachid Koraïchi
Architect: Artist Rachid Koraïchi
Completed: 2020
Country of origin: Tunisia

Photos: Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Cemal Emden (photographer)

2022 Aga Khan Award for Architecture Shortlist

Memorial building designs

Le Jardin d’Afrique, Zarzis, Tunisia images / information received from the Aga Khan Award for Architecture – AKAA

Location: Zarzis, Tunisia, North Africa

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