Elementerre – Ecological Construction in Africa

Taking place in Senegal this project aims to develop and democratise the eco-construction sector in Africa by marketing "ready-to-use" ecological building materials.

An initiative of Elementerre

Overview of the project

In Africa many buildings are constructed of concrete and cinder blocks. These energy-intensive construction techniques are of little relevance in these tropical climates, as they are costly and convey heat very quickly.

An alternative to the use of these materials is to use local materials such as raw earth and plants (typha or straw for example). These materials, locally available in large quantities, have the advantage of providing thermal comfort and humidity regulation. They are also 100% recyclable and their application requires practically no energy.

Therefore, these construction techniques are more environmentally friendly. For several years we have been building ecological buildings in raw clay bricks and typha.

We manufacture these materials in Senegal, by training workers and then implement them in constructions ranging from individual villas to apartment buildings, as well as school facilities and health structures. We wish to develop and democratise the eco-construction sector in Africa by marketing “ready-to-use” ecological building materials, such as raw earth bricks, typha insulating panels, typha cinder blocks, etc.

In parallel, we also train workers on how to use these materials. Our initiative therefore consists in creating units for the production and sale of these ecological materials in Africa.

Objective

We wish to develop and democratise the eco-construction sector in Africa by marketing "ready-to-use" ecological building materials.

Level of progress

Ongoing research

Project timeline

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Quantitative results

We have completed approximately ten ecological projects in Senegal, produced thousands of raw earth bricks and typha-based products, and trained around twenty workers in these ecological construction techniques.

Qualitative results

Some of the workers in turn train other workers. The occupants of these ecological earthen constructions are fully satisfied with the occupied buildings.

Financing

This project was financed from our own funds, based on the revenues received upon delivery of the buildings.

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About the
organisation

Elementerre

website
Taibou Diallo
Architect
tdiallo.archi@gmail.com
00221.77.478.40.65

Construction of green buildings made from raw earth in Senegal.