atelier masōmī

To make architecture in a context of scarcity, extreme climate, and economic vulnerability, atelier masōmī relies on process to bring local narratives to the fore, translating dispossessed identities and history into architectural form. This approach is called Process.
atelier masōmī’s exhibition foregrounds the precedents, narratives, and ideas that sit at the core of their work. Their location in Niamey, Niger, with the ecological, economic, and cultural characteristics of our context, and the erasure of traditional building techniques from the public consciousness, provides us with a laboratory from which to make thoughtful architecture that is inspired by the past while innovating towards the future.
Through models, videos, and hand-drawn plans, Process is a journey into a laboratory of the future in Niamey. By choosing to draw the plans onto the walls herself, Mariam Issoufou Kamara inscribes herself into the narrative of this year’s theme, drawing attention to the complexity in simplicity and treading lightly on the earth.

Technical collaborators
Boyd and Ogier, Jennifer Hsu, Colin Gwesu
Team
Ramatou Kane, Neo Maditla, Aaron C Nkhoma
With the additional support of
Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction, Dorchester Industries Experimental Design Lab