Toshiko Mori ‒Toshiko Mori Architect

Architecture for resource stability

Our two projects in Senegal – the Thread Artist Residency and Cultural Center in Sinthian, and the Fass School and Teachers’ Residence in Fass – were speculative propositions for the potential of architecture to help stabilise resource-scarce communities. Instead of imposing the idealistic formalism of modern and contemporary architecture based primarily on an understanding of Western civilisation, we sought to observe and understand the ethos and essence of West African community culture. Both projects are located in remote eastern Senegal in underserved communities known for high levels of migration due to a lack of jobs and resources. Obviously, an architectural solution cannot resolve all societal problems, but with these projects we tried to focus on one design aspect that could provide immediate relief to the community: securing the community’s water supply. This modest proposal has the potential to produce a chain reaction for a variety of positive outcomes.