Amélie Essesse’s career is that of an architect driven by a dual passion: technical rigor and social commitment. Trained in civil and building engineering, a graduate of the La Villette school of architecture and specialized in international cooperation and development, she has focused her practice on the African continent, with the conviction that architecture is a lever for transformation.
Earth as a material of the future
At the heart of Amélie Essesse’s philosophy is the defense of local materials and know-how. She actively promotes the use of earth in construction, a material with exceptional thermal properties, perfectly suited to African climates, and with a minimal carbon footprint.
His nickname in Burkina Faso, Kathi Roux, testifies to the communities’ recognition of his work. It symbolizes an approach that values ancestral techniques while adapting them to modern requirements. For Amélie Essesse, building with the earth means choosing a habitat that respects human beings and their environment, and laying the foundations for material independence from costly, polluting imports.
Architecture at the service of African soft power
In this interview, Amélie Essesse stresses the importance of architecture, along with music, cinema and fashion, in building African soft power. This term refers to the continent’s ability to exert a positive and attractive influence on the world stage through its culture and values.
By proposing new creative ambitions in architecture, it plays an active part in this movement. Its aim is to enhance the richness and diversity of local cultures. It rejects the generic term “African” to insist on the need for a detailed knowledge of the local and the Glolocal, recognizing the existence of a multitude of identities and know-how specific to each country and ethnic group.
It encourages players in the real estate and construction sectors in Africa to ask themselves questions about their projects: do they make the most of Africa’s heritage? Do they integrate local know-how? The stakes are high: proposing housing that is not only functional, but also tells the story of the place and confers dignity on its inhabitants.
Committed architecture
Amélie Essesse’s path, from her studies in art and architecture to her expertise in international development, has enabled her to develop a holistic approach. She has not only learned to design structures, but also to understand the dynamics of cooperation and sustainable development.
Her work goes beyond the drawing board. She actively participates in initiatives such as the Gala de la Maison de l’Afrique, to discuss and promote the urgency of an architecture that no longer compromises between aesthetics, tradition and ecology. Amélie Essesse is a pillar of the African constructive renaissance, inviting us to value local heritage and know-how as the foundation of sustainable prosperity.
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