Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a landlocked plateau country transitioning from Sahelian conditions in the north to wetter savannas in the south. Seasonal rainfall, high temperatures and the availability of lateritic soils strongly shape settlement. Earth and banco construction, sun-dried brick, timber reinforcement and thatch support a rich range of courtyard compounds and sculpted wall traditions, with thick earthen envelopes providing valuable thermal mass.