Vernacular and low-tech technologies in humanitarian architecture on the example of Senegal

Robert Idem, Katarzyna Zielonko-Jung, Aleksandra Karpińska

doi:10.37190/arc220207

Abstract

Humanitarian architecture belongs to the broader trend of socially engaged architecture, whose main goal is to introduce new values to the quality of life of particular communities. Specifically, humanitarian architecture deals with aid to poverty-stricken communities. The context of economic constraints poses a particular challenge to architects and builders. It is a matter of natural necessity to look for cheap, locally available materials and solutions that can be applied by unskilled labor. The above article discusses the applicability of native and low-tech technologies as basic construction methods for humanitarian architecture. The research focuses on Senegal, located in West Africa. The article aims to identify material and construction solutions in buildings related to humanitarian aid and social support on behalf of the local community, erected or designed in Senegal. An analysis of four examples in Senegal was conducted, namely, two implemented facilities and two planned ones. The basic criteria for the analysis were provided by the social purpose these objects serve, as well as by the materials and technologies applied. The conclusions concern the types and scope of vernacular and low-tech technologies applied, as well as the correlation between the analyzed objects’ design and construction and sustainable development.

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Robert Idem*, Katarzyna Zielonko-Jung**, Aleksandra Karpińska***

Vernacular and low-tech technologies

in humanitarian architecture on the example of Senegal

Introduction

Economic and social status inequalities within individ-

ual societies and countries pose one of the most serious

civilization problems in the modern world. This situation

is especially visible in developing countries, whose unsta-

ble economies are of little importance in international pol-

itics. By and large, these countries are engulfed in poverty;

apart from a small group of economic elites, their commu-

nities are mostly unable to provide themselves with basic

living conditions, such as sustainable and secure housing

premises. Support provided to emerging countries and

those aected by natural disasters is generally known as

humanitarian aid. Analogically, various sources such as

scientic literature refer to the eects of activities relat-

ed to assistance in terms of architectural infrastructure as

humanitarian architecture [1]–[7]. However, this concept

may be controversial.

According to the denition provided by the Słownik

języka polskiego PWN [Polish language PWN Dictionary],

“humanitarian” is understood as […] aimed at human

good, respecting their rights and dignity; sparing them

suering [8]. Undoubtedly, all architecture should be char-

acterized by such features. Various sources published in

English oer expressions that function alongside human-

itarian architecture, but dier slightly from the term (as

they refer to the design approach or architecture), e.g. hu-

manitarian-directed design, humanitarian-focused design,

or rst aid architecture. However, none of these terms

captures the aid through architecture approach discussed

in this article more accurately than the original humanitar

ian architecture. Therefore, for the following article, the

adopted denition is the one quoted by Maria Lubelska in

her doctoral dissertation defended at the Faculty of Archi-

tecture of the Cracow University of Technology in 2015

[2]. According to her, humanitarian architecture is a de-

sign trend that focuses on available architectural and urban

solutions to aid people in crisis situations, i.e., when they

are unable to improve their situation with their own eorts.

Thus, humanitarian architecture belongs to a broader trend

known as socially engaged architecture, whose main goal

is to bring new values to a community’s quality of life, but

not necessarily in the context of poverty [2]–[4], [6], [7].

Activities related to humanitarian aid in architecture

can be observed in three main areas. Firstly, such action is

undertaken by architects who combine successes in their

commercial architectural practice with the non-prot op-

eration, which is their response to crisis situations in spe-

cic communities (e.g., Shigeru Ban, Toshiko Mori) [1],

[5]. This issue is also present in academic circles, where

scientists and specialists from various elds cooperate in

research on the key issues of humanitarian design, whereas

students develop their skills through competition projects

and participation in humanitarian actions [1], [2], [5]–[7].

The third area includes non-governmental and non-prot

organizations (e.g., the global UN-Habitat or Balouo Salo

which mainly operates in Senegal), which associate in-

ternational groups of activists and specialists, including

architects [1]–[3]. Such organizations exert an extensive

impact on the eectiveness of architects’ activities; they

allow designers to become involved in the wider social

and economic processes that arise in a given region. Such

non-governmental bodies provide the vital link between

the local community and third parties that oer help.

ORCID: 0000-0002-0199-9106. Faculty of Architecture, Gdańsk

University of Technology, Poland.

ORCID: 0000-0003-1323-0924. Faculty of Architecture, Gdańsk

University of Technology, Poland, e-mail: katarzyna.zielonko-jung@

pg.edu.pl

***

ORCID: 0000-0001-6645-0408. Faculty of Architecture, Gdańsk

University of Technology, Poland.

DOI: 10.37190/arc220207

Published in open access. CC BY NC ND license

72 Robert Idem, Katarzyna Zielonko-Jung, Aleksandra Karpińska

The economic constraint context, characteristic of

humanitarian architecture, poses a particularly serious

challenge to architects and builders. In this case, it be-

comes a natural necessity to seek cheap materials and

solutions that are available locally and can be implement-

ed by unskilled labor. The present article discusses the

possible use of such solutions and their signicance to

humanitarian architecture. The research has focused on

the context of a specic West African country, Senegal.

Recently, dynamic economic growth was observed there,

but the eects of these initial economic successes have

only been available to a very limited group of inhabitants.

The majority of Senegal remains plunged into poverty;

therefore, a need for humanitarian architecture emerg-

es in this case. The article aims to analyze material and

construction solutions applied in the buildings erected or

designed in Senegal, which are devoted to humanitarian

aid and development support for the local population. The

initial stage of the research, i.e., the analysis of literature

sources, led to the identication of the basic social prob-

lems of the Senegalese population. These problems are to

be confronted by facilities erected within the scope of hu-

manitarian aid activities. A synthetic review of construc-

tion technologies characteristic of Senegal’s traditional

construction was also performed. In the second stage of

the research, four examples of buildings located in the

Senegal area are analyzed, i.e., three implemented objects

(Polyvalent Cultural Center in the city of Tana, schools

in the Dixième district of Thiès and schools in Fass) and

a designed object (Women’s House in the village of Ba-

ghere, the Cassamance region). The basic criteria adopted

for the analysis included the facility’s social purpose, as

well as the materials and technologies applied. Detailed

conclusions were derived concerning the types and scopes

of native and low-tech technology applications. General

conclusions, on the other hand, focus on the correspon-

dence between the analyzed objects’ design and construc-

tion and the idea of sustainable development. The study is

intended to provide a starting point for further research,

with the potential of being extended to include more cases

and a wider territorial scope.

Social issues of Senegal

Senegal is one of the smallest and most stable Afri-

can countries. Since its independence in 1960, the coun-

try has undergone three major peaceful political changes

[9]. Between 2014 and 2018, Senegal’s economic growth

was among the highest in Africa, with a GDP increase of

around 6% per year [9]. Dakar’s developing technology

center has been compared to Silicon Valley [10]. Despite

the generally impressive economic enhancement, its ef-

fects apply only to selected urban areas rather than the

entire country [10]. In addition, the country’s economic

situation was aggravated by the pandemic, which weak-

ened services such as tourism, transport, and exports [9].

It remains dicult for young people to nd a job out-

side urban centers, such as Dakar and other Senegalese

agglomerations. In rural communities, the underemploy-

ment rate is estimated at 31% [10]. Additionally, years of

rapid population growth have put the labor market under

considerable pressure, whereas a large proportion of the

country’s most important agricultural regions have been

devastated by climate change. Currently, Senegal holds

the highest population growth rate in the world, but the

infrastructure to help meet society’s growing needs has

not been developed yet. In West and Central Africa, more

than 75% of the population is under 35 years of age and

suers from a chronically high poverty rate [10].

In Senegal, sectors that require support include those

directly related to people’s basic needs, such as housing,

access to healthcare, education, and livelihood. It also

seems crucial to create conditions for social transforma-

tion through action supporting education, culture, and so-

cial competence development, as well as by combating

the conspicuous gender inequality in most African coun-

tries [10].

The examples of humanitarian architecture analyzed in

the article address the issues that fall into the above-listed

categories. The primary concern is on rural or poorly de-

veloped urban areas which are unlikely to experience the

eects of the country’s economic growth anytime soon.

Senegal’s traditional building technologies

The development of traditional construction technolo-

gies in a given region usually stems from the climate and

the available raw materials. Senegal’s climate is formed

by the tropical latitude in which it is located. Three main

climatic zones are distinguished in the area: coastal, Sa-

hel, and Sudanese. The coastal zone (a strip of the Atlan-

tic coast, approximately 16 km in width) is characterized

by clear temperature dierences between the summer and

winter (17°C in winter and 27°C in summer) and the rainy

season from June to October (annual rainfall equals around

500 mm, on average). The Sahel climate is present in the

northern part of the country. Winter is slightly cooler than

the summer (in the summer, temperatures exceed 40°C).

The dry season starts in November and continues until

May. Between July and October, the average rainfall totals

around 360 mm. The Sudanese zone in the southern part

of the country is the hottest and most humid one (the av-

erage annual rainfall reaches up to 1270 mm). In this area,

cultivation is possible without articial irrigation [11].

In traditional Senegal construction, soil and its mix-

tures are the most important building materials. Soil is

easily accessible, does not require complex processing,

and is suitable to the prevailing climatic conditions, i.e.,

dry climate in the north and humid one in the south of the

country. This material is characterized by high heat ca-

pacity and great possibilities for regulating air humidity.

The great potential of construction using soil as the main

building material is evidenced by the fact that this tech-

nology has developed independently in various regions

of the world and dierent climatic zones, not only the hot

ones [12], [13]. In Poland, examples of soil being used

as a building material can be found in various historical

periods, including not too distant ones, e.g., in crisis situ-

ations of the interwar and postwar periods. The technolo-

gies for erecting soil-based buildings are still developing;

Vernacular and low-tech technologies in humanitarian architecture on the example of Senegal 73

years). The third, most robust method uses straw sheaves

tied with bamboo stalks. They are arranged in strips and

then into overlapping layers (this roong lasts from seven

to twenty years) [15].

Houses erected with the use of the above-described

traditional, vernacular techniques are abundant in rural

areas, as well as in underdeveloped urban areas. How-

ever, the displacement of traditional techniques in favor

of more modern ones emerges as the consequence of the

country’s economic growth, including the ourishing of

the construction sector [16]. Concrete is being used more

commonly as a material for erecting walls and ceilings;

metal roong and glazing are on the increase. While such

a process seems understandable and inevitable in the case

of developing urban districts, it seems rather disturbing

that it also applies to rural areas. Especially since these

technologies are relatively expensive from the point of

view of the still poor inhabitants. Additionally, they are

insuciently adapted to climatic conditions. Further-

more, professional knowledge and skills in traditional

techniques are also beginning to disappear among the lo-

cal population.

Analysis of selected examples of

humanitarian architecture in the context of

the construction techniques applied

Polyvalent Cultural Centre in Tanaff

Polyvalent Cultural Center is an educational center

that promotes the preservation of Senegal’s culture and

traditions as a factor in the local community development.

The Center is intended primarily for young people. Its

implementation began in 2018 in Tanaf, whose popula-

tion equals nine thousand inhabitants [17]. Balouo Salo,

a non-prot organization, initiated this investment. The

facility operates in the social space, i.e., in the context of

education, safety, health, and human rights; the ecological

space understood as environmental protection, emission

reduction, and accumulation of resources; and the eco-

nomic space in terms of self-suciency, development, and

sustainability. The projects undertaken by Balouo Salo

are related to building construction, but also to education

and research on improving the methods of creating a sus-

tainable, resilient and self-sucient living environment.

The Center’s complex comprises ve one-story build-

ings with a museum, oces, training rooms, and a de-

veloped yard for outdoor activities and local community

meetings (Fig. 1). The total internal space area is 800 m

with 1,200 m

of open external space. The space was de-

signed by Raoul Vecchio, the director and founder of the

Balouo Salo organization, who also acted as the construc-

tion manager.

The building of the Center was mostly erected with the

use of natural materials. The architects’ objective was to

obtain local materials available within a radius of 15 km.

Laterite soil, clay, sand, polypropylene bags, plastic lm,

wood, recycled ceramics, straw, and cut grass were ap-

plied. The supporting structure consists of soil-lled bags

and is nished with a mortar of laterite soil mixed with

they align with the current pro-ecological trends due to

their extremely low carbon footprint and advantageous

microclimatic properties. These technologies are also

appreciated by architects who focus on socially engaged

architecture; this is especially true in hot climates, where

the thermal insulation of building partitions poses a mar-

ginal problem. Building construction with soil as the main

component was applied in the projects by such architects

as Hassan Fathy (in Egypt) and Nader Khalili (in Iran),

who based their designs on more or less processed native

technologies.

Various building technologies unique to each coun-

try and culture use soil as a component. In the case of

Sene gal, two basic ones can be distinguished, i.e., layered

forming and block forming. The former is one of the old-

est earthen-based techniques, known as cob or cobb [14].

In this case, the main building block comprises clay or

laterite earth, and sometimes the material derived from

termite mounds. Chopped grass is often added as a binder

to such a base [15]. To achieve high levels of structur-

al strength, sand or clay can be added in various propor-

tions. The mixture is placed manually, directly onto the

foundations. The walls are arranged in layers upwards.

Each layer is given sucient time to dry before the con-

secutive ones are applied. This way, the walls are built

evenly, narrowing slightly towards the top. Traditional-

ly, the ready walls are kept raw or are only covered with

a layer of lime. The average thickness of the wall is about

60 cm, which is appropriate for the erection of two stories

with proper thermal insulation and heat capacity. The roof

eaves with a radius of about 20 cm are sucient to pro-

tect the walls against moisture. Cob is an easy technique

that oers great opportunities to independently shape the

building form. A structure erected with this technique is

reproof, marked with seismic resistance, and cost-e-

cient. However, it requires time and commitment to man-

ual labor.

Block formation is the second earthen-based tech-

nique, also widespread in the Senegalese regions. Later-

ite soil requires no strengthening additives. On the oth-

er hand, using clay soil obtained from the river banks or

dry swamps requires nely chopped grasses to be added

as a binder. When mixed with water, the mixture forms

a building block. Wooden forms are lled with it and

turned over. The blocks formed in this way are dried in

the sun for about 15 days, then brick-laid with the use of

soil-based mortar [15].

Rafter roofs are a feature characteristic of traditional

Senegalese architecture. Roof frames are usually made of

dry bamboo, or if this material is inaccessible in the area,

simple unshredded wood of various types is collected.

Straw is the basic traditional roong material. There are

three main methods to cover a roof structure. The rst and

the simplest one consists of evenly spreading bundles of

straw onto the frame and xing them with a plant-based

string (such coverage lasts up to ve years). Straw is

sometimes replaced with palm leaves. The second meth-

od is based on straw woven into strips, which are then

laid in overlapping bands over the roof structure and xed

with bamboo stalks (this roong lasts from three to eight

74 Robert Idem, Katarzyna Zielonko-Jung, Aleksandra Karpińska

cut straw and cement (Fig. 2). Above the walls, a wooden

structure was stretched on which the straw roof covering

rests (Fig. 3). Between the wall and the roof structure,

openings for ventilation and illumination of the interior

were made. The window openings were lled with wood-

en openwork panels, whereas broken ceramics mixed

with mortar were used for the oors.

The applied solutions are a unique combination of low-

tech techniques inspired by vernacular architecture. The

construction process itself was crucial. It was conducted

by specialists in the eld of sustainable low-tech tech-

niques (construction architects and engineers), who used

it as an opportunity to integrate and, most importantly,

educate the local community in the eld of construction

techniques. This action strengthened the identication of

future users with the new facility well before its launch.

Moreover, the process was aimed at equipping the local

community with new skills to gradually improve the liv-

ing conditions in their own environment.

School in the Quartier Dixième, Thiès

Although Thiès is the third largest Senegal city, its in-

frastructure (apart from the most developed centers) does

not dier signicantly from that in the rural area. Thiès

districts are located away from national roads and have

the character of suburban villages. Bassirou Mbacké High

School building was erected in the Quartier Dixième in

1967 when the local community donated private plots of

land to support the education sector in their area. Until

now, the school consisted of 9 classrooms built of con-

crete. Over time, the building proved too small for the lo-

cal community’s needs. In 2017, the school was enlarged

by a new one-story building with two classrooms and an

oce room for up to 62 youngest students (Fig. 4).

Architects and activists who work for Let’s build my

school, a British charity organization, were the initiators

of this undertaking and the project’s contractors [18]. The

Fig. 1. Polyvalent Cultural Centre, Tanaff, Senegal.

In the construction phase

(source: image courtesy Balouo Salo – humanitarian organization)

Il. 1. Polyvalent Cultural Centre, Tanaff, Senegal. Na etapie budowy

(zdjęcie dzięki uprzejmości Balouo Salo – organizacji humanitarnej)

Fig. 3. Polyvalent Cultural Centre, Tanaff, Senegal.

Development of the surrounding area

(source: image courtesy Balouo Salo – humanitarian organization)

Il. 3. Polyvalent Cultural Centre, Tanaff, Senegal.

Zagospodarowanie otoczenia

(zdjęcie dzięki uprzejmości Balouo Salo – organizacji humanitarnej)

Fig. 4. Primary School, Quartier Dixième, Thiès, Senegal

(source: image courtesy Let’s build my school

– humanitarian organization)

Il. 4. Szkoła podstawowa, Quartier Dixième, Thiès, Senegal

(zdjęcie dzięki uprzejmości Let’s build my school

– organizacji humanitarnej)

Fig. 2. Polyvalent Cultural Centre, Tanaff, Senegal.

Processing of sack walls with earth mortar

(source: image courtesy Balouo Salo – humanitarian organization)

Il. 2. Polyvalent Cultural Centre, Tanaff, Senegal.

Pokrywanie zaprawą ziemną ścian z worków

(zdjęcie dzięki uprzejmości Balouo Salo – organizacji humanitarnej)

Vernacular and low-tech technologies in humanitarian architecture on the example of Senegal 75

Due to climatic conditions, the proposed solutions in

the form of massive walls with high heat capacity and

openings to enhance natural ventilation proved more fa-

vorable than those implemented in the original school

building.

idea behind the Let’s build my school group is that educa-

tion is a basic and universal human right. Their missions

and projects focus on building schools in underdeveloped

areas. The organization aims to equip local communities

with new skills and transfer practical, economically avail-

able methods. The organization constantly researches

and implements innovative, low-cost construction tech-

niques, especially if they require little or no construction

knowledge. The organization cooperates with residents

and global professionals intending to develop sustain-

able, most appropriate methods for a given situation. The

design process begins with identifying the community’s

needs and determining available materials and the pre-

vailing climate conditions. The construction progresses

in cooperation with the future users, who are involved

in each stage of the facility construction. This approach

allows the transfer of knowledge and skills useful for fur-

ther independent development.

The new school building was erected with laterite soil,

clay, sand, polypropylene bags, used tires, plastic lm,

metal mesh, wood, and trapezoidal sheet. The founda-

tions, about 1 m in depth, are made of two layers of tires

(placed upon a plastic lm to protect them against mois-

ture), lled with compacted clay and sand (Fig. 5). The

tires were also used as elements of the school’s fence. The

walls were made of polypropylene bags lled with local

soil. They were stiened with a metal mesh and nished

with three layers of sand and cement mixture (Fig. 6). Ob-

long openings were introduced between the walls and the

roof to enable natural room ventilation. Roong made of

thin trapezoidal metal sheets was suspended on a wooden

pillar-supported lattice structure (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7. Primary School, the Quartier Dixième, Thiès, Senegal.

Roofing structure (source: image courtesy Let’s build my school

– humanitarian organization)

Il. 7. Szkoła podstawowa, Quartier Dixième, Thiès, Senegal.

Konstrukcja dachu (zdjęcie dzięki uprzejmości Let’s build my school

– organizacji humanitarnej)

Fig. 5. Primary School, Quartier Dixième, Thiès, Senegal.

Foundations made of tires filled with soil (source: image courtesy

Let’s build my school – humanitarian organization)

Il. 5. Szkoła podstawowa, Quartier Dixième, Thiès, Senegal.

Fundamenty z opon wypełnionych ziemią (zdjęcie dzięki uprzejmości

Let’s build my school – organizacji humanitarnej)

Fig. 6. Primary School, the Quartier Dixième, Thiès, Senegal.

Sand and cement plaster (source: image courtesy Let’s build my school

– humanitarian organization)

Il. 6. Szkoła podstawowa, Quartier Dixième, Thiès, Senegal.

Tynk z piasku i cementu (zdjęcie dzięki uprzejmości Let’s build my school

– organizacji humanitarnej)

76 Robert Idem, Katarzyna Zielonko-Jung, Aleksandra Karpińska

The school in Fass

The school in Fass was established as the rst secular

school in the region of over 110 villages. In cooperation

with the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation, the Le Kor-

sa non-prot organization, and a group of local leaders,

Toshiko Mori, a famous Japanese architect, designed

a facility for 300 students aged 5 to 10. The building was

erected in 2019 [19]. The building’s shape and form re-

semble a traditional impluvium, i.e., an apartment typical

of Senegal’s Casamance region. Those typical residential

structures were erected of soil on a ring plan. In the cen-

ter, they featured a trench fed with rainwater owing in

from the sloping roof. During hot days, this form kept the

building cool. The school is a transformation of this spa-

tial concept (Fig. 8). Around the inner courtyard, the fa-

cility features classrooms and two multi-purpose spaces.

The oval shape makes it possible to move freely between

classrooms. Perimeter walls of dierent heights, together

with the roof, create various cross-sections throughout the

building. The chimney eect was used to improve venti-

lation and to recover water from the extensive roof.

The building was constructed by a team of local build-

ers with traditional skills. Natural materials obtained

locally were used. The architects provided detailed in-

structions on how to dimension and assemble structural

elements to achieve the geometry outlined in the design.

The building walls, supported by steel elements and bam-

boo, were made of mud brick. Wall perforation was intro-

duced to light the interior and enable airow throughout

the building. Additionally, the walls were painted white to

limit heat accumulation. The roof was based on a bamboo

structure covered with a thick layer of straw to provide

eective insulation against the heat. The oors were made

Fig. 8. Primary School in Fass,

Senegal. Ground floor layout of

two buildings (elaborated by

A. Karpińska based on [19])

Il. 8. Szkoła podstawowa w Fass,

Senegal. Rzut przyziemia

zespołu dwóch budynków

(oprac. A. Karpińska

na podstawie [19])

of mortar mixed with recycled ceramics elements (Fig. 9).

The local community was involved in the construction

process; by doing so, they strengthened bond with the

new building as a place and received adequate training in

maintenance and future minor repairs.

The Women’s House

and Women’s Village in Baghere

The Women’s House project emerged as part of a Mas-

ter’s thesis at the Faculty of Architecture, Gdańsk Univer-

sity of Technology. It is an original project by Aleksandra

Karpińska, the co-author of the present article, creat-

ed under the scientic supervision of Robert Idem, the

co-author of the article [20]. The problem area on which

the project was based concerned the struggle for gender

equality in poverty-ridden rural areas. The issue provided

the main theme for the international Kairac Looro com-

petition, 2021. This annual competition aims to promote

socially engaged design. The proposed building develop-

ment is located in the village of Baghere, in Casamance,

the poorest region of Senegal. Its objective is to empower

women in the rural community and to support an integrat-

ed socio-economic process with which to enable the en-

tire community to overcome the crisis.

The project involves the construction of a village as

a social and investment process initiated by constructing

the rst complex of buildings, i.e., the Women’s House

(Fig. 10). The building is intended to serve as the head-

quarters for the already established organizations that

work on behalf of women in Baghere. The complex fea-

tures the House of Dialogue as the most important facility.

The building includes a space for managing organizations,

conducting talks, and providing training. The complex also

Vernacular and low-tech technologies in humanitarian architecture on the example of Senegal 77

Fig. 9. Primary School in Fass,

Senegal. Spatial scheme of main

building (elaborated by

A. Karpińska based on [19])

Il. 9. Szkoła podstawowa w Fass,

Senegal. Schemat przestrzenny

głównego budynku

(oprac. A. Karpińska

na podstawie [19])

includes a medical facility with treatment rooms, nurseries

that may serve as temporary stay rooms for women suf-

fering from domestic violence, and a Production Center

where basic personal hygiene products are produced and

stored. It is intended that in the subsequent stage, a resi-

dential complex consisting of private houses and shared

buildings would be erected (Fig. 11). The construction of

the latter would provide an opportunity to share spaces un-

aordable to many in their homes, as well as oer mutual

support in the form of child care or meal preparation. The

construction of the housing complex could be implement-

ed in stages by the villagers, who would acquire building

knowledge and skills while participating in the construc-

tion of the Women’s House.

The project uses natural materials that are both cheap

and easy to obtain from local resources, including laterite

soil, clay, sand, wood, bamboo grass, straw, and recycled

ceramics. Traditional technologies are to be applied. In

accordance with the traditional cob building technology,

the walls’ main building materials are to consist of a mix-

ture of soil, clay, sand, and ne brous plants obtained at

the construction site and in the nearby Casamance River

basin. Beams made of wood available in the immediate

vicinity would be used to construct the roof truss and sup-

porting columns, whereas the roof covering would consist

of traditionally tied straw. It is intended that the oors in-

side and around the buildings be made using broken ce-

ramic elements bound with the mortar.

A modular single-story system is proposed in the proj-

ect. The buildings that belong to the Women’s House

complex were designed as a combination of several iden-

tical basic modules on a rectangular plan to cover an area

of approximately 20 m

(Fig. 12). An identical module

is to be applied at a later stage, during the construction

of the housing complex. Consequently, it is intended that

the residents will gain experience in the eld of construc-

tion technologies from the beginning of the process, on

elements that can be repeated numerous times in future

construction activities.

Furthermore, the project provides for the possibility

of collecting rainwater from roofs in tanks placed on the

ground in order to use it for watering home crops. A sys-

tem of dry toilets is proposed for the discharge of waste.

As part of this system, special tanks are to be used to

Fig. 10. Women’s House in Baghere, Senegal – visualisation

(visualisation by A. Karpińska)

Il. 10. Dom Kobiet w Baghere, Senegal – wizualizacja

(wizualizacja: A. Karpińska)

78 Robert Idem, Katarzyna Zielonko-Jung, Aleksandra Karpińska

Fig. 11. The Womens’ House

in Baghere (a) and a residential

complex with arable crops

and livestock erected as

the subsequent stage (b)

(elaborated by A. Karpińska)

Il. 11. Dom Kobiet w Baghere (a)

oraz zespół mieszkalny

z uprawami rolnymi i hodowlą

wzniesiony w kolejnym etapie (b)

(oprac. A. Karpińska)

produce humus for soil fertilization. Composted organic

waste would act in a similar way. In the following phase

of Baghere village development, investments in elds of

photovoltaic panels would likely be made so as to supply

homes and farmland irrigation systems.

Discussion and conclusions

In all the facilities analyzed in the above article, tech-

nologies based mainly on low-processed and natural,

locally obtained materials were used. All objects were

made of materials used in Senegal for centuries, i.e., soil.

It can be applied in the form of vernacular technologies

or in a new method, namely using polypropylene bags.

The new technology is probably less labor-intensive

than the traditional one, although the need to use plastic

has its drawbacks from the point of view of ecological

criteria. The roof structures are based on the traditional

material, i.e., wood. However, the roof cover may be im-

plemented in two ways, namely using traditional straw-

based techniques, or using simple modern material, i.e.,

a trapezoidal metal sheet. The latter is less adapted to the

climatic conditions prevailing in Senegal, but it is durable

and relatively cheap (it can also be obtained as a second-

ary material). Additionally, applying a trapezoidal metal

sheet signicantly saves the time required for execution,

compared to straw-based techniques. Solutions involving

recycled materials, such as old tires as foundations or bro-

ken ceramics as oors, are also noteworthy.

Based on the presented analysis of facilities, it may be

emphasized that the selection of building materials and

technologies is of great importance for the basic humani-

tarian purposes these objects are intended for. This signi-

cance can be sought in three spheres: the economic, social,

and ecological ones. These spheres dene the entirety of

the sustainable development concept.

Maximum economic rationality, i.e., the low cost of

materials, their transport, and facility execution, is of key

importance for activities in the eld of humanitarian ar-

chitecture. This factor often conditions the possibility of

Vernacular and low-tech technologies in humanitarian architecture on the example of Senegal 79

a building being erected, but it also allows for its subse-

quent maintenance, renovation, and demolition. These

stages are usually handled by the local community rath-

er than the founder. The local materials characteristic of

traditional Senegalese construction and the recycled ma-

terials meet strict economic criteria, especially given the

designers’ attitude to creatively combine traditional tech-

nologies with new, simple ones. This approach aims to

shorten the construction time and enable its execution by

low-skilled people with only basic tools. Thus, economic

and social goals can be combined in this manner. By par-

ticipating in the construction process, the local population

can contribute to lowering the investment costs, but also

becomes integrated around a common goal and learns to

build on their own. This goal was observed in the case

of all analyzed objects. Thanks to this approach, the new

building becomes more than just a space to be used; it

marks the onset of the process of subsequent changes with

which it is possible to improve the population’s standard

of living through their own eorts.

In the case of Senegal, it is also important to maintain

the link with local building traditions as cultural heritage.

In Senegal, the process of abandoning tradition has only

just begun; it is much less advanced than in more devel-

oped countries, therefore, it is easier to reverse. Senegal’s

landscape, especially its rural and suburban landscape, is

still marked by construction based on soil, wood, bamboo,

and straw. Therefore, targeting technological changes to

creatively combine technologies based on these materials

with new ones can protect this country from unfavorable

landscape changes observable in diverse developed coun-

tries (including Poland) and ensure the valuable cultural

continuity of local construction.

Finally, native technologies and technologies based on

low-processed or re-used materials follow the pro-eco-

logical directions directly. Without detailed calculations,

it can be concluded that the objects discussed above are

characterized by a low carbon footprint and high adap-

tation to climatic conditions. Such characteristics would

be dicult to achieve by proposing alternative solutions.

In conclusion, it can be stated that the technological

solutions applied in the context of humanitarian goals

fullled by the above-analyzed buildings t in with the

sustainable development concept. The role of an architect

involved in such projects requires designing the building

itself. However, full participation in co-creating social,

economic, and environmental processes conducive to the

long-term development of future users is also required.

The research presented above may contribute to further

studies. In order to get a better insight into the specicity

of Senegal, it would be necessary to extend the research

to include a larger number of sites and to analyze the ap-

plied solutions in more detail, for instance, according to

the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) criteria. The authors

intend to extend the research scope to other cultural and

climatic zones in search of a possibly universal model

with which to combine community-based pro-social goals

with ecological ones in the context of the use of native

and low-processed construction technologies.

Translated by

Emilia Mełgieś

Fig. 12. Womens’ House in Baghere, Senegal. The process of building the module

(elaborated by A. Karpińska)

Il. 12. Dom Kobiet w Baghere, Senegal. Proces budowy modułu

(oprac. A. Karpińska)

80 Robert Idem, Katarzyna Zielonko-Jung, Aleksandra Karpińska

Abstract

Vernacular and low-tech technologies in humanitarian architecture on the example of Senegal

Humanitarian architecture belongs to the broader trend of socially engaged architecture, whose main goal is to introduce new values to the quality

of life of particular communities. Specically, humanitarian architecture deals with aid to poverty-stricken communities. The context of economic

constraints poses a particular challenge to architects and builders. It is a matter of natural necessity to look for cheap, locally available materials

and solutions that can be applied by unskilled labor. The above article discusses the applicability of native and low-tech technologies as basic con-

struction methods for humanitarian architecture. The research focuses on Senegal, located in West Africa. The article aims to identify material and

construction solutions in buildings related to humanitarian aid and social support on behalf of the local community, erected or designed in Senegal.

An analysis of four examples in Senegal was conducted, namely, two implemented facilities and two planned ones. The basic criteria for the analysis

were provided by the social purpose these objects serve, as well as by the materials and technologies applied. The conclusions concern the types

and scope of vernacular and low-tech technologies applied, as well as the correlation between the analyzed objects’ design and construction and

sustainable development.

Key words: humanitarian architecture, vernacular architecture, sustainable development

Streszczenie

Technologie rodzime i low-tech w architekturze humanitarnej na przykładzie Senegalu

Architektura humanitarna mieści się w szerszym nurcie tak zwanej architektury zaangażowanej społecznie, której celem nadrzędnym jest wnie-

sienie nowych wartości do jakości życia określonych społeczności. Konkretnie w przypadku architektury humanitarnej mamy do czynienia z pomo-

cą niesioną społecznościom dotkniętym ubóstwem. Kontekst ograniczeń ekonomicznych jest szczególnym wyzwaniem dla projektantów i budow-

niczych. Naturalną koniecznością staje się poszukiwanie materiałów i rozwiązań tanich, dostępnych lokalnie, możliwych do wykorzystania przez

niewykwalikowaną siłę roboczą. Artykuł dotyczy możliwości zastosowania technologii rodzimych i low-tech jako podstawowych metod budow-

lanych dla architektury humanitarnej. Badania ukierunkowano na kontekst konkretnego państwa zachodniej Afryki – Senegalu. Celem artykułu jest

rozpoznanie rozwiązań materiałowo-budowlanych w budynkach wzniesionych lub projektowanych w Senegalu związanych z pomocą humanitarną

i wsparciem społecznym lokalnej ludności. Przeprowadzono analizę czterech przykładów zlokalizowanych na obszarze tego kraju: dwóch obiektów

zrealizowanych oraz dwóch obiektów projektowanych. Jako podstawowe kryteria analizy przyjęto cel społeczny obiektów oraz zastosowane ma-

teriały i technologie. Wnioski dotyczą rodzajów i zakresu zastosowania technologii rodzimych i low-tech oraz odniesienia procesu projektowania

i wznoszenia analizowanych obiektów do idei zrównoważonego rozwoju.

Słowa kluczowe: architektura humanitarna, architektura rodzima, rozwój zrównoważony

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