Centre for Earth Architecture: Preserving the Mud-Brick Legacy, Mopti, Mali
Situated on the edge of an interior lake in Mopti, the Centre for Earth Architecture is a modern homage to Mali’s ancient mud-building heritage. Designed by Kéré Architecture and commissioned by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), the center was built following the restoration of the iconic Mopti Mosque. Constructed entirely from Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB), the building features sweeping barrel vaults and overhanging roofs, creating a naturally cooled cultural hub that honors the past while serving the modern needs of the Komoguel district.
A Cultural Hub on the Lakeside
Mopti is globally renowned for its towering, traditional mud-brick architecture. Following the extensive restoration of the historic Mopti Mosque and the installation of a new sewerage system, the AKTC commissioned this visitor center to complete its urban interventions in the area.
The building reclaims the waterfront. The construction site was gained by a backfill on the edge of the lake, successfully making the previously unused lakeside accessible for public use. The landscape project also includes wide public spaces and a scenic promenade along the top of the adjacent dike, turning the area into a vital civic gathering space for both locals and visitors.
The Vision: Respecting the Great Mosque
The architecture is designed to be deeply respectful of its historic context. The Sight Axis: From the crest of the dike, the visitor center sits in a direct visual axis with the historic mosque. Contextual Scale: The building is clearly structured and intentionally kept low-profile. Its height responds to the existing urban fabric, ensuring that it never compromises or competes with the majestic view of the mosque.
Tectonics: Earth Blocks and Barrel Vaults
The program is divided into three distinct buildings that are united by two large, connecting roof surfaces. Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB): All the structural walls and the striking barrel vaults are constructed using locally produced BTC (Compressed Earth Blocks). In a region with intense heat, these earth blocks act as an exceptional natural temperature buffer, absorbing heat during the day and ensuring a comfortable indoor climate. The Protective Canopy: The expansive, overhanging roof structure is vital to the design. It blocks direct solar radiation from hitting the earth walls and creates high-quality, deeply shaded outdoor spaces for visitors to gather.
The Living Building: Zero Mechanical Cooling
Like many of the best vernacular-inspired projects, the building breathes on its own. Passive Airflow: Kéré Architecture designed specific ventilation openings within the thick earth walls and the ceiling vaults. This creates a continuous, natural flow of air through the spaces, ensuring that the building’s climate conditioning works flawlessly without any need for mechanical air conditioning or costly electrical backing.
Data Sheet
Project: Centre for Earth Architecture
Location: Mopti, Mali
Architect: Kéré Architecture
Completion Year: 2010
Area: 480 m²
Key Materials: Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB), Mud Plaster
Typology: Cultural Center / Visitor Center
Client: Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC)
Project Gallery
