Ancient Earth Techniques Inspire Modern Malian Architectural Styles

In the heart of Bamako, architect Mariam Sy is pioneering a transformative approach to construction. She merges Mali’s ancient building wisdom with contemporary design. Her innovative methods, rooted in the use of earth and other local materials, are setting new standards for eco-friendly architecture across West Africa.

The Visionary Architect: Mariam Sy

Mariam Sy’s journey began at the age of 15 when she decided to pursue architecture. Encouraged by her parents, she left her girls’ school to attend a technical college in Bamako. Her academic path took her from Mali to Belgium, where she earned her architecture degree. Then, she went to France’s prestigious Craterre research centre in Grenoble. It was here that Sy mastered the art of building with earth, a material central to her sustainable designs.

Eco-Friendly Architecture in West Africa

Today, Sy’s firm, Architerre, is at the forefront of eco-friendly architecture in West Africa. Her projects range from homes and medical centres to mosque renovations in Timbuktu. By utilizing traditional materials like soil and stone, Sy’s designs not only meet modern needs but also respect the environment.

“Whether it’s soil, stone, or whatever we can find locally, the idea is to use as little energy as possible in construction and to use materials suited to the local temperature,” she explains. “In Mali, soil is one of the most widespread and well-known local materials, and for us Sahelians, the advantage is that these materials truly adapt to our climate.”

Revitalizing Traditional Techniques

The revival of traditional construction techniques is part of a larger movement across Africa. French architect Jean-Marc Lalo, who organizes exchange seminars between African and European architects, sees this as a significant shift in the continent’s architectural landscape.

“There’s both a question of African architectural identity and an enthusiasm for rediscovering traditional earth construction techniques,” he notes. “Secondly, it’s also one of Africa’s future prospects: making a direct leap to construction with bio-sourced, local materials. Earth is perfectly adapted for this, in fact.”

Success Stories Across Africa

From Senegal to Morocco, countries are increasingly embracing sustainable practices. In Benin, the government has commissioned high-profile earth-based projects, including works by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Francis Kéré. Similar innovations are taking root in Burkina Faso and beyond, with compressed earth bricks becoming a cornerstone of modern African architecture.

Fact Sahel: A Network for Eco-Responsibility

Sy co-founded Fact Sahel, a network of architects, masons, engineers, researchers, and writers united by a shared vision of environmentally responsible building practices.

“This question of eco-responsible architecture affects everyone,” she says. “Even though we know we’re not the biggest energy consumers in the Sahel, we still suffer the consequences. So it’s important to also take into account new technologies and questions that affect everyone and apply them to ourselves. We consider ourselves activists. For us, our work truly is activism.”

Blending Tradition with Innovation

Sy’s next project is a school in Bamako built entirely with earth-based techniques. This project encapsulates her philosophy of blending tradition with innovation.

“How do we explain to people the return to these materials which have so many advantages in many aspects of life, not just construction?” she wonders as she inspects a wall of compressed earth bricks. For her, each earth-built structure is more than just a building. It’s a bridge between Mali’s architectural heritage and its sustainable future, demonstrating how ancient wisdom can help solve modern challenges.

Conclusion: The Future of African Architecture

Mariam Sy’s work is a testament to the potential of traditional materials and techniques in modern architecture.

By embracing the wisdom of the past and integrating it with contemporary design principles, she is crafting a sustainable future for Mali and inspiring architects across the continent.

The movement towards eco-friendly building practices is gaining momentum, promising a greener, more resilient architectural landscape in Africa.

To learn more about Mariam Sy’s innovative approach and the broader movement of modern Malian architecture rooted in ancient earth techniques, you can read the full article here.