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Interaction Design

Digital Zellij

Human-machine collaboration for traditional Moroccan craft

Zellij is the traditional Moroccan craft of cutting and composing mosaic tiles into complex geometric patterns. Because of their reliance on mathematical properties, as well as their spiritual and philosophical roots in the materialisation of abstraction, these patterns demonstrate a strong predisposition for digitalisation.

This master thesis aims to explore whether new use cases for Zellij can be generated by the introduction of parametric digital fabrication technologies. The outcome of this project is a tangible interface prompting a discussion about the future of Islamic patterns in a hands-on fashion and enabling the development of hybrid fabrication processes – a human-machine collaboration for traditional Moroccan craft.

Two hands interacting with markers on a colourful projected pattern
Two hands interacting with markers on a colourful projected pattern
Four moroccan architecture students kneeling to interact with markers on the floor
Four moroccan architecture students kneeling to interact with markers on the floor
Three moroccan craftsmen kneeling to interact with markers on the floor.
Three moroccan craftsmen kneeling to interact with markers on the floor.
One moroccan craftsman sitting on the floor and cutting tiles out of unfired clay.
One moroccan craftsman sitting on the floor and cutting tiles out of unfired clay.
One moroccan craftsman kneeling to arrange Zellij tiles face down into a panel on the floor
One moroccan craftsman kneeling to arrange Zellij tiles face down into a panel on the floor
Plotter tracing a Zellij-inspired pattern onto a square piece of paper
Plotter tracing a Zellij-inspired pattern onto a square piece of paper
Ceramic 3D-printer printing a Zellij-inspired pattern out of soft clay
Ceramic 3D-printer printing a Zellij-inspired pattern out of soft clay
Ornate wooden door in the middle of a Zellij and plaster carving covered wall of the courtyard of the Madrassa Ben Youssef in Marrakech, Morocco
Ornate wooden door in the middle of a Zellij and plaster carving covered wall of the courtyard of the Madrassa Ben Youssef in Marrakech, Morocco
Incomplete Zellij panel on the floor and samples leaning against the wall of a craftsman’s workshop in Fes, Morocco
Incomplete Zellij panel on the floor and samples leaning against the wall of a craftsman’s workshop in Fes, Morocco