Inside Mikoü Architecture: Merging Craftsmanship with Industrial Construction
Salwa and Selma Mikoü explore identity and technical innovation through their architectural practice.
1Architecture as Personal Identity
Salwa and Selma Mikoü view architecture as a process that transcends building production. For the Paris-based twin sisters, every project serves as a tool to define their own personality and cultural identity. They actively push professional boundaries, navigating the unique challenges they face as women within the established hierarchies of the architecture industry.
2Bridging Craft and Industry
The founders of Mikoü Architecture integrate Moroccan craft traditions with modern industrial logic. They explore how prefabrication and technical engineering can coexist with artisanal craftsmanship. By treating industrialization as a progress gesture, they seek to make technical systems an integral part of the building's spatial and visual character rather than mere functional necessities.
3Professional Foundations and Experience
Before founding their firm in 2008, the sisters gained experience at Ateliers Jean Nouvel and Renzo Piano Building Workshop. These roles provided them with a dual perspective on architectural thinking, ranging from strong conceptual development to the practical realities of construction. This background informs their current approach to balancing structure and ornament.
4Cultural Memory in Design
Born in Fez, Morocco, the architects draw inspiration from their upbringing and the immersive nature of cities like Marrakech. They translate traditional spatial concepts, such as the inward-facing riad, into contemporary projects. This cultural memory informs how they design private spaces and manage the relationship between buildings and their surrounding urban environments.
5The Art de Rives Project
In Bordeaux, the Art de Rives project exemplifies their approach by combining housing, artist residencies, and student accommodation. Described as an urban millefeuille, the design focuses on its relationship with the Garonne River. The project aims to open the development toward the water, fostering a connection between the residents and the city.
6Collaborative Design Methodology
Working as twins, Salwa and Selma utilize a shared language of making that relies heavily on constant dialogue and drawing. They frequently use collage as a core tool for developing ideas, considering it part of their DNA. Their professional and personal lives remain deeply intertwined, influencing how they negotiate space and architectural expectations.
7Technical Logic and Ornament
The sisters investigate how ornament can emerge naturally from the construction process itself. They compare the tension between exposed and hidden structural elements to archaeology, where ruins reveal the history of a site. By using prefabricated modular clay-concrete elements, they demonstrate that technical precision and aesthetic expression can be mutually reinforcing.
8Future Architectural Trajectory
Mikoü Architecture continues to challenge industry norms through projects like the Simone Veil Experimental Campus and the Balsaneo Aquatic Center. By questioning the limits of traditional practice, the sisters maintain a focus on social qualities and material knowledge. Their work remains a testament to the potential of blending heritage with modern industrial progress.