Mud, bio, local, ecological ...
Traditionally, mud (also called adobe or banco), wood, stone and terracotta were the main building materials.
In the Sahel region, adobe houses are a real shelter against the heavy heat which can reach 50 degrees Celsius, bringing diseases and mosquitoes.
"Banco" construction consists mainly of sand, clay, and water; but straw, wood chips, cow dung, lime, shea butter ... can be added to bring some more texture.
Banco is a100% recyclable local material, protecting against deforestation and CO2 emission, resisting to fire, xylophagous insects, fungi and mold.
Some would criticize its rustic and severe aspect ...
Photo credit: Marta Abbado & Gustave Deghilage| RFI
This is Boubacar Assoumane residence, in Niamey. 10 years later, it still preserves the family against the heat.
Very colorful sewing school in Karadje, Niamey.
Dried, mud brick are very resistant and solid.
The bricks are attached to each other by a wet banco.
To stall them, the masons use small pebbles.
Jungle Park ecodome, Madagascar; Shibam, skyscraper of mud; Turkmenistan, oldest mud city; Djenne, biggest mud building
"Banco" construction consists mainly of sand, clay, and water; but straw, wood chips, cow dung, lime, shea butter ... can be added to bring some more texture.
Banco is a100% recyclable local material, protecting against deforestation and CO2 emission, resisting to fire, xylophagous insects, fungi and mold.
Some would criticize its rustic and severe aspect ...
Photo credit: Marta Abbado & Gustave Deghilage| RFI
To stall them, the masons use small pebbles.
