Stuart Church

Stuart Church was an American architect and designer who settled in Tangier in 1960 and became one of the last great Orientalists. William S. Burroughs called him "the last of the Orientalists." His style mixed influences from China, India, southern Europe, and Morocco into palatial interiors of extraordinary elaboration.

Morocco Connection

Church designed some of Morocco's most opulent private residences and hotels, including the Sahara Palace in Marrakech — a 54-hectare property blending Moorish, Indian, and Venetian architecture. His client list included Yves Saint Laurent and Kuwaiti royalty. He followed King Hassan II's diktat that all buildings in Marrakech must be pink or ochre, working within the constraint to produce interiors of almost delirious richness. His philosophy: "Minimalism doesn't excite me."

Key Works

Sahara Palace Marrakech, private residences in Tangier and Marrakech