Senegalese Architect Advances Earth Construction in Dakar
Nzinga B. Mboup leads the way in earth architecture Senegal, promoting sustainable building practices rooted in tradition.
Nzinga B. Mboup, co‑founder of the Dakar‑based practice Worofila, is leading projects that revive compressed earth and typha fibre construction. Her work challenges the dominance of concrete in Senegal’s capital and highlights sustainable alternatives rooted in West African traditions.
Africa’s most honest architecture is increasingly coming from its women.Nzinga B. Mboup grew up between Mozambique, Cameroon, South Africa and Senegal. She saw what colonial urbanism did to African cities. Then she decided to build differently.Her practice Worofila works with… pic.twitter.com/wPY14ka8D6
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April 10, 2026Worofila, established in 2019, confirmed in its official practice documentation that it specialises in bio‑climatic architecture using raw earth and plant fibres. The firm’s Diamniadio Eco‑Pavilion was commissioned by Senegal’s Ministry of Environment in 2019. It was built with clay adobe bricks and typha fibre. This demonstrates government recognition of alternative materials.
Mboup has stated in interviews that her practice seeks to create equitable spaces and question modernity in African architecture. Worofila’s portfolio includes projects such as the Institut Français Dakar (2021) and NKD House (2024), each designed with ecological materials.
Senegal’s Urban Planning Code (Law No. 2023‑20) sets the framework for sustainable development and management of urban areas. While concrete remains the dominant material in Dakar, the code provides scope for practices like Worofila. In this way, firms can align with national sustainability goals.
The implications of Worofila’s work are significant for Senegal’s construction sector. By reintroducing earth and fibre materials, the practice demonstrates that climate‑sensitive design can be achieved without reliance on imported or high‑emission materials.
Scaling earth construction presents challenges. Concrete remains politically convenient and economically entrenched, with established supply chains and regulatory familiarity. Shifting towards earth materials will require broader policy support, industry training, and public awareness.
The Diamniadio Eco‑Pavilion illustrates how government commissions can legitimise alternative methods. If similar projects are adopted in housing or public infrastructure, Senegal could reduce construction emissions and improve thermal comfort in urban environments.
Mboup’s approach also intersects with cultural heritage. By drawing on materials historically used in West Africa, Worofila reconnects architecture with local identity. This has potential to influence urban planning debates in Dakar, where colonial legacies shaped much of the built environment.
Sources
Original reporting: Newz.Africa reviewed Worofila’s official practice documentation and project portfolio, including the Diamniadio Eco‑Pavilion commissioned by Senegal’s Ministry of Environment. Senegal’s Urban Planning Code (Law No. 2023‑20) was examined to confirm regulatory context.
