Studio & approach

Balance as a starting point.

Mizan means balance. Between past and present, between place and architecture, our practice seeks thoughtful connections. Founded in Rabat by Ismaïl El Kasmi, MIZAN Studio begins each project with its context and the people who inhabit it.

Listen

Understand uses, listen to people and communities.

Connect

Bring together complementary crafts and expertise.

Build

Combine inherited and contemporary knowledge to design buildable, context-sensitive architecture.

Sustain

Consider the life of places and the continuity of relationships.

MIZAN STUDIO

Ismaïl El Kasmi

As a Moroccan-French architect (DE, HMONP), Ismaïl El Kasmi designs and coordinates cultural and educational projects with strong social and environmental impact, placing the transmission of knowledge and traditional skills at their core. His experience across Africa, Europe and North America informs an engaged, context-driven practice, grounded in dialogue with craftspeople, communities and local partners. At the intersection of architectural practice and community engagement, his approach combines innovation, a strong sense of place and a human-centred perspective.

ismail@mizan-studio.com

MIZAN STUDIO

Community engagement, in the field.

A few of the listening and exchange sessions held with residents, users and local associations, before and during project design.

Community engagement session with residents and local associations — Moroni, ComorosDiscussion with residents and local associations.

Community engagement session around a laptop — Tagoukht, MoroccoWorking session with the project’s actors.

Community engagement session addressing a seated audience in a hall — Kabrousse, SenegalPresentation and discussion with participants.

On-site discussion with a group gathered outdoors — Rubagabaga, RwandaOn-site exchange with the group.

Academic & nonprofit connections

The founder’s documented experience includes connections with Journeyman International, TERR-ES, and A Pied d’Œuvre, as well as ENSA Paris-Val de Seine and California Polytechnic State University, supporting initiatives in Morocco, Senegal, Togo, Rwanda, Nicaragua, India and Haiti.

Project collaborations

NGOs and community-focused initiatives

2Mains — Comoros
A Pied d’Œuvre — France
Association ASSAFOU pour le Développement — Morocco
Corps Africa — Morocco and Senegal
Empowering Villages — Rwanda
Journeyman International — USA
Moroccan Children Workshop (previously Teach4Morocco) — Morocco
Young Life — Nicaragua

Technical expertise — architects and engineers

Assemblage Ingénierie
EVA Studio
FI Ingénierie
Green Powered Technology
Terramo
UNIAXIS

Funding partners

Corporate: Publicis — Middle East · East African Power — Rwanda
Foundations: Re:Arc Institute — Denmark · FOKAL Foundation — Haiti
Institutional: Agence Française de Développement (AFD) — France