SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
The world of architecture is full of people talking about subjects such as sustainability, building for people, social awareness and others. But what does that actually mean? While in the design process we take these ideas into consideration. However when it comes time to materialize them, we fall short.
BECOMING AN ARCHITECT
Mariam Kamara is a Nigerien architect who splits her time between Niger and the US. Little do people know that she worked as a software developer in America for 10 years before getting into architecture.
Finally she got her degree at the University of Washington with a thesis project on gender and public spaces. Once graduating, she became a founding member of the united4design collective. The collective worked on projects in the U.S., Afghanistan and Niger. Their project Niamey2000 was awarded Architect Magazine‘s 2017 R+D Award for innovation.
ATELIER MASOMI
In 2014 Kamara founded atelier masomi in Niamey, the capital of Niger, but she continued to live in the United States and still lives today. All in all she has found a balance between her private life and work life, America and Africa. It is as though she had to move to a different culture to better understand and appreciate her own. As a result she is extremely motivated to give back to Niger and shine a light on the rich culture and history of her country.
Her work is guided by the belief that architects have an important role to play in thinking spaces that have the power to elevate, dignify, and provide a better quality of life. Through her practice, Mariam aims to discover innovative ways of doing so, while maintaining an intimate dialog between architecture, people, and context.
– atelier masomi
In essence Kamara’s design process is led by the thought that architects build for the people. Before even starting to design, she gathers information from the people, her clients. She basically gives them assignments to write and to draw, to imagine what their future house should look like and contain. As a result she gets a better understanding of their needs, desires and brings her mission from words to action.
“No matter where you are, architecture is a process of discovery. It’s not just space-making; it’s about discussion and how you turn desire into form.” – Mariam Kamara for the New York Times
DAVID ADJAYE’S PROTEGE
Shortly after opening her studio, Rolex announced new mentors and proteges for the Rolex Arts Initiative. Sir David Adjaye was selected as a mentor coupled with Mariam Kamara as his protégé. During the mentorship, they visited the village in Niger where she grew up.
“It was the moment he really understood what I was, what I am, where I was coming from, what I really wanted. We went to my family’s village; to the desert and camped outside under the stars; we went to a city called Agadez, where people still live in the houses built in the 14th century, I hadn’t been back there since I became an architect, so it was important for me.” – Mariam Kamara for Rolex
While working under Adjaye’s wing, she designed a new arts center for an underdeveloped area in Niamey.
“Normally, I would be so hard on myself, second guessing my design decisions, which is normal because I am at the start of my career… But working through this project with David has allowed me to trust my voice more. His reactions have confirmed that I can trust my design instinct. That kind of confidence usually just comes with time and experience. The mentorship has allowed me to confirm my voice and not apologize for it.” – Mariam Kamara for Rolex
To summarize Mariam Kamara’s work remains consistent. As can be seen above, she is achieving her goal of giving people enjoyable spaces and elevated lived experiences.
She has also been featured in the 2021 AD100 list, in Galerie Magazine‘s Creative Minds 2021, in the New York Time’s 15 Creative Women of Our Time and many more.
Overall, her work continues to bring Africa, its culture, history and architecture to the big stage.
Read more about sustainable architecture
How To Build Sustainable Architecture: Beloit Powerhouse by Studio Gang