Hicham Lahlou Installation Illuminates Rabat Tower
At the entrance of Tour Mohammed VI, where the two banks of the Bouregreg meet, a new work of art now shapes the visitor experience. The latest Hicham Lahlou installation brings together 396 luminous sculptures, turning the tower’s esplanade into a space where art, architecture and light engage in quiet conversation. Designed by the international artist, designer and interior architect, the piece was developed in close collaboration with the artistic direction of the project owner.
Subtle by Day, Spectacular by Night
Cast in aluminium and finished with a bronze patina, the sculptures blend naturally into the architectural setting of Tour Mohammed VI. Their slender silhouettes echo the monumental doors of the building, as well as the ornamental refinement found in Moroccan palaces and riads. Throughout the day, they capture shifting natural light and stay in harmony with the noble materials and green spaces around them.
As night falls, however, the installation reveals an entirely different character. A parametric lighting system, designed to shine upward from the base of each sculpture, highlights the texture of the metal and sends a wave of light rising toward the tower’s vault. From the drop-off area to the entrance of the Waldorf Astoria Rabat-Salé, the space becomes an immersive sensory journey, where light itself takes on the role of an artistic language.
Moroccan Heritage, Reimagined
Each sculpture draws its form from the neffar, a traditional trumpet deeply rooted in Moroccan heritage. Their organic, plant-like silhouettes suggest a visual score unfolding beneath the open sky. Positioned between collective memory and contemporary expression, they reinterpret cultural references that remain closely tied to Moroccan identity.
Through this creation, Hicham Lahlou situates Tour Mohammed VI within a deliberate cultural continuity. Formal innovation, in this case, draws directly from inherited craftsmanship and symbolism. As a result, the work reflects a genuine dialogue between tradition and modernity within a single creative gesture.
Tour Mohammed VI, A New Home for Contemporary Art
This latest installation fits into a broader artistic vision for the site. Tour Mohammed VI is increasingly positioning itself as a place of cultural expression and a showcase for dialogue between architecture, design and fine craftsmanship.
Conceived specifically for this landmark location, works by Moroccan and international artists contribute to a distinctive space, one where the architectural experience extends through ambitious artistic interventions. In this way, the tower affirms its role as a contemporary cultural destination, open to the world yet firmly rooted in its own territory.
In his own words, Hicham Lahlou explained that his intention, shared with the project owner, was to create a piece that respectfully accompanies the architectural gesture by day, only to elevate the tower’s majesty by night. He described the 396 sculptures as the notes of a luminous, parametric symphony rising toward the vault. Lit from within, they do more than provide light, he noted; they bring a vibrant soul to the base of this landmark.
About Hicham Lahlou
A leading figure in contemporary design, Hicham Lahlou has spent more than thirty years promoting Morocco and the African continent on the international stage. As a designer, artist and recognised interior architect, he has built a distinctive approach where contemporary creation, cultural identity and innovation meet. His achievements were recently honoured with the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite de la République Italienne, one of the highest civil distinctions awarded by the President of the Italian Republic. This recognition places him among a select circle of international creators whose work actively fosters dialogue between cultures.
A Landmark Worth Visiting
Ultimately, this Hicham Lahlou installation stands as more than a decorative addition to Tour Mohammed VI. It offers a layered experience that shifts with the hours, honours Moroccan craftsmanship and confirms the tower’s ambition to become a genuine destination for contemporary art in the region.
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