One Square Meter Berber is a cultural and social project that uses design as a powerful force for good. The program aims to protect, preserve, and sustain the ancient cultural heritage of the Amazigh weaving community of Morocco and to empower women - socially and economically - through craft.

Collaboration

One Square Meter Berber matched four different cooperatives in rural Morocco with accomplished international artists from the Netherlands, to share techniques, knowledge, and experiences. 

The first result of this collaboration are four self-portraits in the form of a “one square meter Berber” produced during a trip to Morocco as a dialogue between the weavers and designers. The crafts women shared their knowledge and technique, while the designers pushed the conceptual boundaries of the production method; distilling modern narratives and bringing the craft to the 21st century. 

A special bond was created and back in the Netherlands the designers worked on their own pieces as a tribute to the weavers and their traditional techniques. Under the designers’ creative direction, the craft takes on an increased sense of cultural awareness and modernity, recognising the importance of heritage as a way to inform the future. 

“We are inspired by the designers, artists, makers and activists that are dedicating their skills to challenge some of the challenges of our time. We believe that design can have a real impact and improve the lives of people and their communities.”

— Mina Abouzahra, Founder OSMB

Weavers

“Nasaja - a weaver - was once highly revered in her community, where she held the status of an Imam or preacher in the village. Today a weaver makes an average of 2 Moroccan Dirham (18 cents) per hour, less than the local minimum wage.”