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Learning from green African building

Caroline Geffriaud, Goethe-Institut Sénégal

The «Learning from green African building» project was launched by the Goethe-Institut Senegal in 2021 with the aim of exploring the richness of sustainable construction in sub-Saharan Africa and creating a network of engaged actors and institutions. The project is divided into two parts: One part is the creation of activities enabling the development and animation of a network of stakeholders and interested parties in the development of sustainable architecture on the continent. The second part is a web platform organized into three sections. The first is an interactive and participatory map that lists the various initiatives on the continent, from vernacular heritage to contemporary buildings, including the involved actors, research projects, resources, and more. The second section is a series of videos produced by the Goethe-Institut, showcasing particularly interesting projects and actors across the continent. The final aspect is a collection of essays written by engaged personalities that offer a definition of sustainable architecture in sub-Saharan Africa today.  The African continent is rich in diversity, creativity, and architectural wealth, yet it is underrepresented and under-referenced. This project aims to be a source of information, inspiration, and connection for anyone interested, both on the continent and beyond. The website is accessible at: https://lfgab.com/ 

Sustainable architecture in Africa relies on frugal, low-tech solutions using local materials to reduce carbon emissions

It is now a well-established fact that the construction sector, along with transportation, is one of the most polluting industries in the world. By itself, it accounts for 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This staggering percentage also indicates a significant margin for reduction that can be explored. This reduction is particularly achieved through the development of sustainable architecture, meaning architecture that is functional, comfortable, resilient, resource-efficient, and environmentally friendly in the broadest sense. The African continent is experiencing a boom, with a population growth rate of around 5% and the prospect of reaching 50% urbanization by 2030. These indicators are logically accompanied by a construction boom, involving the widespread adoption of foreign architectural models and the massive use of concrete, already the most consumed material in the world and responsible for 4 to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.


Champ de typha Sénégal - Seydina Ousmane Boye - 2021
Champ de typha Sénégal - Seydina Ousmane Boye - 2021

While in Europe, active «high-tech» techniques have long been favored to limit the environmental impact of buildings, this approach now seems unreasonable. With the acceleration of the climate crisis and the depletion of fossil fuels, voices are being raised around the world advocating for degrowth. Fortunately, in all climates, there are many examples of the «low-tech» approach, which limits the need for resources and maintenance and implements passive, sustainable, and stable systems.


In Africa, due to the technological and energy context, frugality has always been a preferred approach when it comes to sustainable architecture. In a world with limited resources, innovation no longer lies in the race for new technologies but in the reinvention, reinterpretation, combination, and fusion of traditional techniques derived from local cultures, climates, and materials.


The use of local resources is one of the keys to reducing the carbon emissions of the construction sector. Reducing the distance traveled by materials, creating local skilled jobs, and limiting the processing of products—these actions all contribute to reducing the energy used in building construction. Additionally, these local resources are often bio- or geo-sourced materials with a high carbon storage capacity, which positively impacts the overall environmental balance of buildings.


The Learning from green African building platform highlights sustainable architecture in sub-Saharan Africa, connecting stakeholders through mapped resources and videos

The climatic and social conditions, as well as access to resources, being unique, the sustainable approach in sub-Saharan Africa is particularly interesting and inspiring. However, today, the data related to this approach is often not easily accessible to the public. To highlight sustainable construction initiatives and bring together a network of stakeholders engaged in eco-friendly building practices, the Goethe-Institut Senegal has created a web platform that provides access to the wide array of resources on sustainable architecture in sub-Saharan Africa.


Carte interractive Learning from green African building - Goethe-Institut - 2024

The platform is presented as a regional map, allowing users to locate the data within its geographical context. Resources are displayed as «points» with different shapes or colors depending on their association with the following themes: Vernacular heritage, Contemporary buildings committed to sustainable development, Renovated buildings, Available natural resources and material experimentation, Private and public actors involved in creating a sustainable construction sector, Places of education and dissemination of sustainable architectural and urban thought, Theoretical or practical research projects and publications, and Occasional events or initiatives.

Navigation sur la carte - Goethe-Institut Sénégal - 2021

The map background emphasizes climatic data and available resources, rather than strictly administrative boundaries. This way, the territory is viewed through the lens of natural context, rather than administrative divisions, encouraging technology exchanges between practices operating in similar climates. 

In certain countries, particularly in Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana, Angola, South Africa, Rwanda, and, of course, Senegal, video teams were engaged to meet with stakeholders and showcase the richness and diversity of sustainable approaches on the continent. Thanks to this effort, around fifteen videos have already been uploaded, with more in preparation. Additionally, with the aim of offering a body of theoretical reflections in dialogue with the mapped data and videos, the platform features original essays written by key figures on the continent, focused on defining sustainable architecture in Africa today.




Exhibitions, roundtables, and presentations across Africa, to promote sustainable architecture through public engagement and local collaboration

Since its inception, the project has been the focus of numerous public events, notably the «Learning from Green African Building» exhibition in December 2022, Dakar (Senegal), a roundtable at WITS University in Johannesburg (South Africa), March 2023, and the Learning from green African building Africa Tour inFebruary 2024 where the project was presented at four public events in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Lagos (Nigeria), Accra (Ghana), and Nairobi (Kenya). 

These events included numerous conferences and debates led by local stakeholders, showcasing the platform, the traveling exhibition, and engaging the public in open discussions. Research is ongoing and is regularly published on the site. The map is participatory, allowing the public to propose new resources to expand the content while ensuring local relevance.


Lancement du site projet - Goethe-Institut Sénégal - 2021

Echanges avec le public Accra - Willie Schuman - 2024

Promote sustainable architecture by showcasing local resources and overcoming cultural resistance to eco-friendly building practices

Architecture is a reflection of the cultural and environmental context from which it emerges. The Goethe-Institut Senegal is taking advantage of the construction of its future institute in Dakar, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Francis Kéré, to highlight this theme in its cultural program. Rather than importing knowledge, typologies, and materials, how can we make the best use of local resources and knowledge to develop architecture that is adapted to the climate and the expectations of the communities involved?

The obstacles limiting the democratization of sustainable construction are no longer technical. The knowledge exists, the tests have been conducted, and in some countries, the regulatory context is evolving in favor of using eco-sourced materials. Today, the resistance is generally cultural, as natural and traditional materials are often seen as outdated and synonymous with poverty, while concrete and glass are associated with wealth, modernity, and the future. The project’s ambition is to show stakeholders, decision-makers, and the general public that an appealing and contemporary ecological alternative is possible in the building sector. LFGAB highlights a wide range of alternative proposals while helping to increase the visibility of the actors, research, and institutions involved.




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