The Goethe-Institut's new building in Dakar has opened, merging sustainable architecture with traditional construction methods. Designed by renowned Burkina Faso architect Francis Kéré, the structure is built from bricks made of local red soil mixed with minimal cement. This material protects the building from heat and maintains cool interiors.

Architect Francis Kéré told DW in an interview: "I modified the properties of the clay to produce uniform bricks, creating a building with a modern look." He also emphasized that the material is familiar to people, adding, "That's so important: People really feel honored and taken seriously."

The building's design harmonizes with its environment: shaded façades, interconnected spaces, and natural ventilation. Only a few supporting elements are constructed from reinforced concrete. Construction was managed by Dakar-based architecture firm Worofila (founded by Nzinga Mboup and Nicolas Rondet), which specializes in bioclimatic architecture – passive cooling, cross ventilation, and the use of local materials.

Courtyards promote airflow, while thick earthen walls retain coolness, gradually releasing it in the heat. This is a time-tested construction tradition in the Sahel region. Worofila architect Nzinga Mboup noted: "Here, I can feel the ocean breeze. Building with earth has something very essential and powerful that reconnects the body with the material. It's not something that can be explained – you have to experience it for yourself."

By choosing earthen architecture for its new building, the Goethe-Institut is sending a signal to the world. The project proves that large-scale sustainable construction is possible even as global conditions grow more complex. Dakar is one of Africa's fastest-growing metropolitan areas, facing challenges like housing shortages, rising temperatures, and CO₂ emissions from concrete buildings, often paired with energy-intensive air conditioning systems.

Ghanaian architectural scholar Lesley Lokko emphasized the urgent need for sustainable alternatives in an interview with DW: "Our continent is urbanizing faster than any other, we're facing incredible time pressure," she stated. "I want to use that pressure to our advantage. We don't have a hundred years. We need to think and act now."

Now, a new generation of architects is turning to earth as a construction material for the future. The new Goethe-Institut in Dakar serves as a model for sustainable construction. Its message is clear: the world's urban future could begin with the convergence of ancient knowledge, modern technology, and social responsibility – and the red soil of Africa.

After years of construction, the cultural institute is scheduled to open in Dakar on April 18, 2026. The Goethe-Institut Senegal also oversees activities in The Gambia, Cape Verde, and Guinea-Bissau.

Source: www.dw.com