Senegal

During the prospecting trip, we got to know a country built on the values of teranga (hospitality and solidarity), jom (pride), fit (courage and self-confidence) and ngor (dignity). With great curiosity, we explored contemporary architecture and sought to identify the Senegalese identity within it. It soon became clear that this is a quest that the Senegalese themselves are in the midst of. To date, Senegal does not offer university training in architecture. Young Senegalese who want to study architecture must therefore go abroad. Large construction companies pay little or no attention to the characteristics of Senegal and build as if they were in Europe. Villages are grey with concrete blocks and the new city of Diamniadio rises in a very alienating way in the Senegalese landscape.

Nevertheless, we can say that this identity is very much alive and clearly visible. The Senegalese architectural landscape is on the move! And how! There is a wave of young architects who are in contact with each other and each show their concern, love and commitment to the country in their own way. One example is Carole Diop who is popping up everywhere. Anyone who looks at her CV will understand why. She is an architect, curator, co-founder of the contemporary art magazine Afrikadaa, professor at the CUAD and the IPP, member of the Order of Architects and co-author of the voluminous book Dakar, Métamorphoses d’une Capitale. On top of that, she organises architectural walks in Dakar. Carole is often accompanied by Doudou Dème, engineer, entrepreneur and, above all, co-founder of ELEMENTERRE, a construction company specialising in products made from earth and typha, adobe and compressed earth blocks (BTC). By marketing local and ecological building materials, ELEMENTERRE aims to develop and democratise sustainable architecture. Doudou Dème often collaborates with architects Nzinga B. Mboup and Nicolas Rondet, founders of the architectural firm Worofila. They share the same goals as ELEMENTERRE, and their architectural language and contemporary expression are rooted in a deep understanding of the climate, materials and tradition. In January 2026, we will go for a walk with Carole Diop, attend a workshop at ELEMENTERRE and visit a project with Worofila. And they are just a few of the key figures in contemporary Senegalese architecture.

Senegal gained independence on 20 August 1960 after a period of Portuguese and later French colonial rule. This is reflected in the architecture, which is largely the work of European architects. Today, there is a lively debate about the preservation of these buildings, many of which are in very poor condition. Independence did not mean that the West withdrew from Senegalese construction. Our programme of contemporary architecture also features mainly European names. We have made a careful selection of projects and agencies — Gilles Perraudin, Adriano Redondo, Antoin Galand (AAG), DAW office, etc. — that contribute to dignified, contemporary Senegalese architecture with knowledge and respect for the country and its traditions.

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