- Source: Nzinga Biegueng Mboup
Nzinga Biegueng Mboup is a Senegalese architect based in Dakar, known for her expertise in bioclimatic design and construction utilizing locally-sourced earth and biomaterials. She is also recognized for her significant contributions to architectural research, particularly in the study of Dakar's urban and cultural heritage.
Early life and education
After completing her architectural studies at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, Nzinga Biegueng Mboup gained professional experience in Johannesburg for a period of two years. Subsequently, she pursued a Master's degree in Architecture at the University of Westminster in London. Following her academic pursuits, she joined the architectural firm Adjaye Associates, where she predominantly worked on the IFC headquarters project in Dakar.
Career
In 2019, Nzinga Biegueng Mboup co-founded the architectural practice Worofila, which specializes in bioclimatic design and construction techniques that prioritize the use of locally-sourced earth and biomaterials. The central vision of Worofila is to promote architecture that not only possesses exceptional durability but also harmonizes effectively with the local climate. Under her guidance, Worofila successfully executed several projects using earth construction methods, including the Sendou home, the Ngor house, and the Goethe-Institut, in collaboration with Kéré Architecture.
Nzinga Biegueng Mboup's multi-faceted contributions to the fields of architecture and research have earned her recognition as a respected figure in the architectural community, both locally and internationally. Her commitment to sustainable and climate-conscious design, along with her efforts to preserve and promote cultural heritage, continues to have a profound impact on the architectural landscape of Senegal and beyond.
Research
Nzinga Biegueng Mboup has been a researcher affiliated with the African Futures Institute since 2022. She has co-authored two research projects that have garnered recognition and interest within the academic and architectural community.
The first research project, titled Dakarmorphose, was initiated in 2017 in collaboration with Carole Diop. This ongoing project aims to explore the evolution of Lebu villages and the urban and cultural heritage of the city of Dakar. Notably, the findings from Dakarmorphose were exhibited at the Dakar Art Biennale in both 2018 and 2022, and the research has contributed to various scholarly papers and conferences.
The second research endeavor, known as Habiter Dakar, began in 2019 in partnership with Caroline Geffriaud and the Goethe-Institut Dakar. Habiter Dakar is dedicated to examining the evolution and challenges related to housing in Dakar, shedding light on critical issues and potential solutions for the city's residential development.
Completed Projects
= Residential
=Keur Guilaye, Keur Guilaye, 2022
Villa N, Ndangane, 2022
Keru Mbuubenne, Sendou, 2021
Project NKD, Dakar, 2021
= Public Facilities
=Ecopavillion, Diamniadio, 2019
Regional Train Stations, Dakar-AIBD, 2019
Exhibitions
Aesthetics & Logics, Versailles, 2022
Reclaiming the Wolof Compound with Local Materials, London, 2021
Awards
Ashden Awards for Cooling in Informal Settlements, shortlisted
Selected publications
"The Future of Mud, A Senegalese architecture firm is championing a lower-tech material than concrete to help cities prepare for climate change," July 2022
