A vision built from earth

"There is no reason why we should ever depend on the importation of anything...in order to build" architect Nzinga Biegueng Mboup declares. This unwavering belief in the power of local resources and ingenuity is at the heart of Mboup's inspiring architectural practice, one that beautifully merges contemporary design with a deep respect for African contexts and the environment.

Nzinga Biegueng Mboup is an architect driven by a deep passion for creating sustainable and climate-conscious structures that cater to the unique needs of African cities. Her work is profoundly influenced by her pan-African upbringing. Born in Mozambique to parents of Senegalese and Cameroonian descent, and raised in South Africa, Mboup's diverse background informs her design philosophy.

Growing up amidst the urban landscape of Maputo in the late 80s and early 90s, Mboup developed a fascination with cities and how they can bring people together. However, she also observed stark contrasts in infrastructure and living conditions across different African cities. As she explains, "I've always been preoccupied... through many various travels going on holidays in Cameroon and growing up in all these different environments and wondering how African cities could be better, especially once I started seeing the sort of obvious infrastructure issues...". This realization sparked a desire within her to use her skills to improve living conditions.

Initially, Mboup considered pursuing urban planning. However, her family, particularly an uncle who was an engineer and contractor, encouraged her towards a more technical field. This perspective was informed by the realities of urban planning in Africa, where her family believed that true influence required political engagement. As Mboup recalls, they told her, "to be an urban planner in Africa is to be a politician. If you want to be an effective planner, you need to be in politics, because otherwise, none of your policies are actually going to carry any weight..."

While a brief stint studying engineering in South Africa deepened her technical knowledge, Mboup yearned for a field that embraced both the analytical and the human aspects of design.

"I missed the way in which architecture was able to integrate...human science like sociology, philosophy history, " she explains. Architecture, she discovered, was a "complete science" where creativity and social conscience could harmoniously converge.

It was during her architectural studies in South Africa, against the backdrop of post-apartheid reconstruction, that Mboup's design philosophy truly began to take shape. At the University of Pretoria, she was exposed to the principles of "regional modernism," a school of thought championed by architects like Norman Eaton who sought to blend modernism with an understanding of local contexts and materials. "They tried to instill in us...an attention to design according to the climate," she explains, emphasizing the importance of climate-responsive design.

This emphasis on adapting to local conditions was further amplified by South Africa's diverse climate, where design strategies shifted from the hot, arid interior to the more temperate coastal regions. This experience instilled in her a deep appreciation for passive design strategies – using the very elements of a place to create comfortable and sustainable structures.

Mboup explains bioclimatic design as "taking into consideration the climate in order to create buildings that are responsive to the climate using passive design strategies and also using bio-based materials which you normally have in your locality". This approach prioritizes simple yet effective design elements such as building orientation, thermal massing, natural ventilation, and the use of locally sourced materials to create comfortable living spaces with minimal environmental impact.

Mboup's architectural journey then led her to London, where she encountered a new perspective on sustainability: the Anthropocene. Studying under Professor Lindsay Bremner, she grappled with the profound impact of human activities on the planet, especially our dependence on fossil fuels. This experience was a turning point, solidifying her commitment to designing with low-impact materials and minimizing the ecological footprint of her work. London also offered a serendipitous connection back to Africa.

Mboup's tenure at Adjaye Associates marked a significant turning point in her professional development. Working on the International Finance Corporation (IFC) headquarters project in Dakar, she gained invaluable insights into large-scale architectural practices. "This experience reinforced my belief in the power of architecture to influence social and economic dynamics," she explains. It was here that she honed her skills and began to envision a practice that would prioritize sustainability and community engagement.

Among the notable projects she has worked on is the Goethe-Institut designed by Francis Kéré, showcasing innovative earth construction techniques. "The biggest challenges often lie in changing perceptions about earth as a building material," she notes. Yet, the success of this project has demonstrated the aesthetic and functional potential of earth construction, garnering attention both locally and internationally.”

Her collaboration with Kéré Architecture on the Goethe-Institut project exemplifies the power of partnership in sustainable design. "Working with a firm that shares a commitment to sustainability was incredibly enriching," she reflects.

Driven by a deep desire to ground her practice in the realities of the African continent, Mboup established herself in Dakar, co-founding the architectural practice Worofila with Nicolas Rondet. Worofila, meaning "seven" in Bambara is the name of the street where the collective started, reflects Mboup's belief in architecture as a fundamental expression of a place and its people.

"Worofila is not just a practice; it's a movement towards redefining how we approach architecture in Senegal," she asserts. The firm focuses on integrating traditional building methods with modern technologies, ensuring that their designs are both innovative and deeply rooted in local culture.

Her commitment to bioclimatic design is evident in every project. "Using locally-sourced earth and biomaterials is essential for architecture in Senegal," she emphasizes. These materials not only reduce the carbon footprint of construction but also enhance the thermal performance of buildings, making them more comfortable for occupants. "I want to encourage  architects to prioritize environmental stewardship in their work," she adds.

This philosophy is beautifully embodied in one of Mboup's most personal projects: her own family home in Senegal. Constructed using compressed stabilized earth bricks (CSEB) made primarily from locally-sourced laterite, the house is a testament to Mboup's conviction in the aesthetic and functional potential of earth construction. This personal connection to the material is rooted in her family's history – her father, inspired by the earth architecture of Cameroon, had dreamt of building earth resorts in Senegal, even going so far as to have a manual brick press flown in for the endeavor.

Mboup's commitment to using CSEB extends beyond its aesthetic appeal. It represents a conscious choice to utilize readily available materials, stimulate local economies, and reduce reliance on imported products. "There's an opportunity to develop an internal economy," she emphasizes, highlighting the ripple effect of choosing local resources.

Worofila's work, however, goes beyond simply using earth as a building material. The practice places great emphasis on understanding the nuances of local construction practices and collaborating closely with local artisans. "There was a lot of pedagogy involved. There was a lot of knowledge transmission in the process of making," Mboup states.  This approach, centered on mutual respect and shared learning, ensures that their designs are not only beautiful but also build upon existing skills and traditions.

This dedication to collaboration was evident in Worofila's work on the Goethe Institute project in Dakar, where they collaborated with a construction company that had no prior experience building with earth. Through patient guidance and on-site knowledge sharing, the team achieved a level of craftsmanship that Mboup describes as "some of the most incredible bricklaying work" she had witnessed.

Mboup's research projects, such as Dakarmorphose and Habiter Dakar, delve into the evolution of Dakar's urban and cultural landscape. "One of the most surprising findings was the resilience of traditional building practices amidst rapid urbanization," she shares.

She was particularly struck by the presence of "remnants of the original...villages of the indigenous people," which challenged her understanding of the city's history and the layers of meaning embedded within its fabric. This realization highlighted the importance of understanding the historical and social context of a place before intervening, a principle that guides her practice to this day.

"The goal is to understand the past to inform the future," she explains. Her research not only enriches her architectural practice but also serves as a bridge between academia and the community, fostering a dialogue about the role of architecture in shaping urban life.

While mud bricks feature prominently in Worofila's portfolio, Mboup is acutely aware of its limitations, particularly in dense urban environments where space is often limited. "Using their CSEB makes sense in the city but unstabilized bricks such as adobes may be more suited to other environments in which you have space to make them and sun-dry them and as one has to protect the earthern walls by having overhanging roofs," she observes, acknowledging the need for alternative solutions in certain contexts.

This realization has fueled Worofila’s current research, which focuses on exploring even lower-tech building materials and techniques – methods that are readily accessible, adaptable across various contexts, and require minimal specialized equipment. This shift represents a deepening of her commitment to democratizing sustainable architecture, making it a viable option for everyone, not just a select few.

Mboup's latest endeavor, a project close to her heart, embodies this vision: a training center in the Thiès region, in a city with a rich history of ceramic production. This center will serve as a hub for disseminating knowledge about sustainable building practices, and empowering individuals with the skills to create environmentally sound and culturally relevant structures.

"Our goal is really finding a way to democratize it and also teach people the very basic notion of good design principles," she asserts, highlighting the center's mission to make sustainable design accessible to all.

The center's design, directly informed by Worofila’s ongoing research into low-tech building methods, will itself serve as a testament to the beauty and functionality of these techniques.  By choosing city grappling with the decline of its traditional ceramic industry, Worofila’sproject aims to revitalize local craftsmanship and create new opportunities for a community whose skills are increasingly undervalued.

The center, she hopes, will demonstrate that "We can, as Africans, live in environments that are produced by us and that are adapted to the way in which we live."

Looking ahead, Nzinga sees both opportunities and challenges for architecture in Senegal and Africa. "The greatest opportunity lies in the growing awareness of sustainability among architects and clients alike," she notes. However, she also acknowledges the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and climate change. "We must be proactive in addressing these issues, ensuring that our designs are resilient and adaptable," she asserts.

Through her work, she envisions contributing to an evolving architectural landscape that prioritizes resilience, sustainability, and cultural integrity. "Architecture is not just about buildings; it's about people and their stories," she concludes, embodying the spirit of a new generation of architects committed to making a difference.

In Nzinga Biegueng Mboup, we find not just an architect but a passionate advocate for a sustainable future, one that honors the past while boldly stepping into the future. As she continues to inspire and educate, her contributions will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the architectural landscape of Africa.