Building Connections, Sharing Knowledge: AAPM Visits Menara Prefa

On 27 July 2026, the Association des Architectes-Paysagistes du Maroc (AAPM) organised a professional visit to Menara Holding in Marrakech, bringing together 18 participants for a day of discovery, exchange and discussion. Importantly, the invitation was extended beyond AAPM members to other professionals working in and around landscape architecture—part of the Association’s ongoing effort to broaden its network and encourage greater engagement with the profession.

Interlocking pavers might, at first glance, seem a rather dry subject for landscape architects. The visit quickly demonstrated otherwise. Participants were able to follow the manufacturing process and learn about the rigorous quality-control procedures applied to the products. Particularly relevant to landscape practice was the opportunity to examine the actual degrees of permeability and porosity of different paving systems, an increasingly important consideration as we seek to improve stormwater management and reduce impermeable surfaces in our cities. The extensive range of colours, textures and finishes—many inspired by Moroccan landscapes, materials and cultural references—also demonstrated how technical performance and design quality can work together.

The group explored Menara’s range of street and site furniture, with landscape architects encouraged to develop their own customised designs in collaboration with the company. We also discovered the considerable scale and diversity of Menara Holding, whose activities extend from transport and logistics to quarrying, concrete products, pavers, kerbs, building blocks, beams, street furniture, construction and installation services. Quarrying operations are undertaken within strict environmental controls, while installation teams use specialised equipment, including suction lifters for handling large-format paving.

Perhaps one of the most interesting discoveries was Menara’s strong investment in research and product development. Several products achieve technical performances exceeding applicable European standards. Of particular interest were earth-based agglomerated products, which can offer technical characteristics superior to conventional concrete equivalents while providing the additional advantage of improved thermal insulation.

The visit concluded with a generous lunch and warm hospitality from the Menara team, providing an informal opportunity to continue discussions and strengthen professional connections. It was an excellent example of the value of bringing landscape architects into direct contact with manufacturers: understanding not only what a product looks like in a catalogue, but how it is made, how it performs, where its materials come from, and how innovation can contribute to more sustainable landscapes.

AAPM intends to build on this experience by organising further technical visits to sites and industries relevant to landscape architecture. Future visits could include plant nurseries, compost-production facilities, galvanisation plants and other places where the materials, plants and processes that landscape architects specify are actually produced. By opening these visits to both members and other professionals in the field, AAPM hopes to encourage knowledge-sharing, strengthen links between practitioners and suppliers, and foster greater interest in the Association and the landscape architecture profession in Morocco.

You could add this link for more information. I’m trying to get them as an IFLA corporate member so maybe this can whet their appetite for good exposure!

https://menaraprefa.ma/

‍