Beyond Borrowed Standards: Writing Our Own Rules for Sustainable Design and Construction

Embracing Local Building Techniques and Codes for a Sustainable Future

The construction industry globally has long relied on Westernized building codes and materials, especially in developing nations striving to modernize and achieve what is deemed "progressive." While many of these building systems have their merits, there is a growing movement to look to indigenous knowledge and local building techniques as solutions to modern problems like cost, sustainability, climate adaptation and the preservation of cultural heritage. It is vital not only to embrace local building practices but also to document them and create homegrown building codes that are better suited to the context and conditions of the regions they serve.

Why Local Building Techniques Matter

Local building techniques have evolved over centuries, developed by communities that understood and adapted to the local environment, climate, and available resources. These techniques have practical solutions for issues like thermal comfort, durability, and sustainability that are perfectly suited to their surroundings. Importantly, these approaches do not just benefit the environment but also preserve the cultural identity of communities, fostering a stronger sense of belonging and continuity.

For example, in West Africa, the tradition of using a plaster made from a mixture of clay, water, cow dung, and leteele (botanical name: Ampelopsis cordata) highlights both sustainability and local ingenuity. This plaster, traditionally used in wall construction, has remarkable properties that modern materials struggle to match. It is not only highly insulating, keeping homes cool in the scorching heat, but also offers breathability and flexibility in the event of structural movements. Additionally, these materials are natural, non-toxic, and biodegradable—key qualities for sustainable construction.

The Role of Iru/Dawa-Dawa Tree in Strengthening Local Building Practices

One particularly notable example of the local plaster tradition involves the use of the Iru or Dawa-Dawa tree (Parkia clappertoniana), a staple in West African culture and cuisine. The empty pods of the Dawa-Dawa tree, when boiled, create a natural varnish that is applied to plastered surfaces for enhanced durability and smooth finishing. This natural varnish protects the surface from damage while offering an aesthetically pleasing gloss that is chemical-free and eco-friendly.

What's more, the tradition involves using Dawa-Dawa soup—a mixture of this boiled varnish—on the plaster every day for three days after application.

This practice is deeply ingrained in local building methods, ensuring the plaster maintains its integrity, is resistant to wear, and ages beautifully over time. By incorporating such indigenous knowledge into mainstream construction, not only do we ensure the survival of these valuable techniques, but we also actively support the promotion of environmental sustainability and locally sourced, low-carbon materials.

Atakpamé Construction: A Tradition Rooted in Sustainability

Atakpamé construction, a traditional building technique prevalent in parts of West Africa, stands as a testament to the ingenuity and environmental adaptability of indigenous construction methods. Named after the town of Atakpamé in Togo, this method involves creating walls from compacted layers of earth and clay. Each layer is carefully built and compressed, often by hand, to form sturdy, durable structures without the need for additional materials like cement or reinforcements.

The Atakpamé method relies on a meticulous layering process:

• Earth and Clay Preparation: Locally sourced earth, sometimes mixed with stabilizers like straw or dung, is prepared for construction. These natural additives improve bonding and strength.
• Layer-by-Layer Construction: The wall is built incrementally, with each layer of moistened earth compacted and left to partially dry before the next layer is added. This allows the structure to solidify and maintain stability over time.
• Final Finishing: Once the wall is complete, it may be coated with a protective finish, such as a clay-based plaster or varnish, to shield it from weathering and provide an aesthetic finish.

Documenting Local Building Practices

However, despite the importance and potential of local techniques, much of this knowledge is not documented or formally integrated into modern construction standards. To preserve and scale up these practices, it is crucial to undertake thorough documentation efforts as highlighted by the example of the Kikuyu thatched house, including detailing material specifications, building processes, performance assessments, and construction challenges. Communities can provide the expertise, and architects, engineers, and urban planners can work together to preserve this invaluable knowledge.

Documenting these practices would enable more accurate and effective integration into modern construction methods. It also ensures that the generation of builders, artisans, and engineers have access to these materials and methods for future projects. Without documentation, there's a risk of losing not only the wisdom behind these practices but also the potential benefits they can offer in building more sustainable and resilient environments.

Local Building Codes: A Necessity for Contextual Relevance

Another significant challenge in construction is the prevalence of imported building codes from Western countries. While these codes often focus on safety and regulation, they frequently overlook the unique environmental, climatic, and social conditions present in many regions. Using a one-size-fits-all approach in the development of building codes leads to inefficiency, unnecessary costs, and unsustainable outcomes, especially in regions with limited resources and unique climatic challenges.

Creating homegrown building codes like that of rukarakara from Rwanda , based on local knowledge and practices, would address these challenges directly. It would incorporate materials and techniques such as the leteele-based plaster or Dawa-Dawa varnish, promoting not only local materials but also practices that are naturally adapted to the environment. Building codes that are rooted in local traditions can lead to greater energy efficiency, more affordable housing, and environmental regeneration.

The Way Forward

The path toward creating localized, sustainable building codes and celebrating local techniques begins with recognition. Architects, policymakers, and builders must start looking beyond the default adoption of Western standards. Instead, they must prioritize understanding indigenous practices that work, both environmentally and socially, while investing in documentation efforts to guarantee that this knowledge is preserved.

Local building codes that integrate these methods would empower communities, improve living standards, and offer a roadmap to solving some of the most urgent issues related to sustainable development. From clay plaster to Dawa-Dawa varnish, we have much to learn from and adopt from the traditions of the past. By combining innovation with preservation, we can create a more resilient and sustainable future.

Ultimately, embracing these local building techniques and writing codes that reflect our unique surroundings will bridge the gap between tradition and progress—allowing us to build a future that is rooted in sustainability, adaptability, and resilience.