Be Terre or Be Square

A definition of sustainable architecture in Africa today

Biome

Sahel means “shore”. A shore made of sand, tall grasses, shrubs and large expanses of red earth. The Sahel is one of our planet's fourteen major terrestrial “biomes”: an area defined on the basis of the vegetation and animal species that predominate and are adapted to it [1]. It is not, therefore, a definition of a region made up of theoretically-drawn borders, but one based on an awareness of the living, fluctuating environment that surrounds us, to which we adapt and which adapts to us in return.

From this context, the meaning of sustainable architecture can take shape.

Let's go to the architect. Talk to him about “biome”: he'll hear “be home” and won't be so far from the meaning of this zone of habitats, plants and people, of interconnected balances, of ecosystems between things and people.

Bioclimethics

To live in the Sahel and to live sustainably, we need to know our surroundings, i.e. the context and the environment: to use its strengths, to protect its weaknesses, not to upset the balance, to resist change, not to deplete resources, so that everyone can live decently. This knowledge of materials, climate, social habits and necessities must be put into practice in a fair equation.

Photo: LEVS architects

Lycée professionnel de Sangha / Sangha, Mali

Manner and material

If there's a way - bioclimatic and bioclimethic - there's also a material. Geosourced materials (such as earth) and biosourced materials (such as straw and typha), when used in their original state (or minimally transformed), are recyclable and reusable. They are readily available. They therefore have virtually zero impact on climate change. They are used by local craftsmen and professionals, who make a living from their work. Correctly implemented, they contribute to energy-saving mechanisms in buildings.

Terre-Typha eco-pavilion / Diamniadio / Senegal

It's all about know-how

Le mot “durable” dans les deux sens du terme, à la fois “pérenne” et “solide”, c’est bien ce que propose le FACT, le Forum des Acteurs de la Construction en Terre au Sahel. Parmi eux, des professionnels, passionnés par leur métier, façonnent la matière comme personne. Cela se ressent dans les bâtiments qu’ils construisent dans les règles de l’art, à la pointe de l’innovation et de la maîtrise de techniques diverses et variées. Les dizaines de projets exemplaires et contemporains représentés dans le livre “Construire en terre au Sahel aujourd’hui” [2] sont l’illustration de cette double durabilité, résultat de leurs savoir-faire.

Human scale

The challenge of sustainable architecture is to resist standardization, which only benefits a single group of the same people. This is a worldwide phenomenon, and a difficulty that Africa shares with other continents. History shows that scaling up is good for improving the quality of life for all. But if it is to benefit only a handful of individuals, then the equation of sustainable equilibrium is not solved. The notion of general interest needs to be revisited and reconsidered.

Making something out of nothing

Where Sahelian Africa comes into its own is in its inventiveness to “make something out of nothing” [3]. This genius for system D, appropriation and frugal innovation needs to be investigated. It's in this promising field that we need to invest. Or rather, to whom we should wish long life, in the sense of informality, “which is not under control” [4]. It's a form of resistance. It's an everyday reality that's hard to live with, but which also prevents us from sinking into sterile totalitarianism. It's a force for reinvention.

Naturally

The projects in the book “Building with earth in the Sahel today” also all feature a strong relationship with the surrounding natural environment, an intelligent integration within it. This powerful nature envelops you in the Sahel. Contact is direct and frank. This unfiltered link with flora and fauna is a decisive aspect that can contribute to building sustainable architecture (provided, of course, that this nature remains preserved in these rare bastions of the globe). This presence in the world is most palpable in Africa. This awareness sharpens the notion of reality. “A root gives birth to life. In the midst of sand and dust. Through pitfalls and misery.” [5] The Sahelian people still possess, more than many other peoples on this planet, this power of life. This tenacity. And this immense capacity to adapt.

Photo: Odile Vandermeeren

Le Campement-Kangaba / Bamako / Mali

Grains of citizenship

In the face of the great battles waged by the powerful and the decision-makers, individual actions sometimes seem insignificant. But we must continue to get involved, and reflect on Bernard Stiegler's words: “Even if they wanted to, states and multinationals wouldn't know how to respond, because they don't have the concepts to change.” [6] Against the greed for power, wealth and control, or simply against the inability to change, the only thing we can do, on our own scale as citizens, is to create a community of committed actors. To create collectives within civil society, through which we help and support each other. And from this tribe, to create a dream. To convey a new, collective and positive image of the future. Not of standardized skyscrapers, all glass and steel, but of earth and multiplicity.

Professional awareness

Let's fight our daily battles, let's practice our “little jobs” as they say in the song [7], with all the ethics we can muster, sharpened and honed at every moment, every gesture, every step.

A plural equation

This is just a sketch of the multiple responses we need to make to the major challenges we have begun to face. The strength of the FACT network lies in the fact that it brings together committed men and women who themselves offer a wide variety of solutions. There is no single answer, but rather a plurality of actions. These will be adapted to each context. These actions are plural.

www.archisanat.be