Report from Burkina Faso

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Burkina Faso

UNEP SBCI members Plasterdil, represented by M. Jean Louis CHARDENET and Architect Amelie Essesse are assisting the development of a sustainable building project in the West African country Burkina Faso. The project involves the design and construction of a Municipal Library and “Mediatheca” in the township of Pô using an innovative composite wall system that combines reinforced polystyrene wall panels with rammed earth construction.

Women labourers inspect finished rendering.

From the 25th of November to the 2nd of December, M. Chardenet and Mme Essesse visited Burkina Faso in order to conduct site inspections, present the design concepts and trial the construction techniques with local builders. The concept to build a sustainable building using traditional and local raw materials with unskilled labourers has brought the attention of the local “burkinabe” architects.

The project and the concept for construction were also discussed with the Mayor of Pô and his staff with discussions relating to the benefit for the population of such technology, its applicability, its costs, and the training required. It was explained that the main goal is to minimise construction costs and to allow any labourer to build a house without outside assistance.

At the Royal Court the team met the women in charge of the plastering and decoration of Kassena tribe housing. After explaining the concept, four tests of rendering techniques were directly performed on the polystyrene wall panels. Initial results are positive and to date the renders are durable. The resistance of the plastering under heavy water spraying will be tested in January. The project has been positively perceived by all governmental agencies in Burkina Faso. The architectural concept and the technology seem approved in principle but final decisions will not be taken until the official test reports are released. For more information please email Jean-Louis jl.chardenet@wanadoo.fr or Amélie ameliesse@yahoo.fr

Houses destroyed by floods in Pô.

Flood Crisis
Three people died and 3000 families in the town of Pô lost their houses and belongings due to recent heavy flooding, yet only 25 tents and some cover sheets have been put at the disposal of the refugees! The Mayor explained the urgency to build new houses as soon and as fast as possible in order to avert further suffering. Any SBCI members or partners who wish to offer assistance should contact Jean-Louis on the above email.