The garden is named for the noria, an old-fashioned type of irrigation system, with a water wheel. The noria still works, as shown in this photo.
Arnaud Maurières and Eric Ossart, the landscape designers, were inspired by both the Islamic courtyards and the Mexican architect Luis Barragan for their work. In fact, in 2003, the pair opened a Morrocco office and started building gardens in Tunisia, Egypt, and Syria, to reflect their love of the region and landscape.
