ETH ZURICH
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

Atavism

PROF. MARIAM ISSOUFOU
ARCHITECTURE HERITAGE AND SUSTAINABILITY

ETHOS

Whose Heritage?
What Sustainability?

At Studio Atavism the Chair for Architecture Heritage and Sustainability at ETH Zurich, our mission is to challenge the status quo and redefine the way we approach architecture. We aim to step away from traditional notions of building heritage and position ourselves within an intersectional approach to both heritage and sustainability. We have a clear focus on decolonization, questioning deeply ingrained assumptions, colonized knowledge, pedagogy, and the mindsets prevalent in architectural practice that impede what we could productively inherit as well as what we sustain.
The current world order, we understand, is underpinned by the exploitation and impoverishment of others through global material flows, globalized labor, and control of raw materials. This exploitation has had catastrophic consequences, affecting the planet, economies, and people.

Our commitment to breaking this cycle involves embracing a hyperlocal perspective, encompassing local practices, addressing vulnerabilities, and more. In our Studio, we strive for a "Decolonization from/of the Global Minority." Here, we work to deconstruct deeply ingrained superiority complexes, reshaping students' perceptions of their place in the world, promoting inclusivity, and challenging traditional paradigms.
In our Research, we endeavor to contribute to a "Decolonization from/of the Global Majority." Our aim is to restore knowledge to places that have been historically dispossessed of their heritage, ensuring that it is accessible to all. These two facets of our Chair are intrinsically intertwined, creating a dynamic and holistic approach to more just and future-facing architecture processes.

MASTER THESIS
SPRING SEMESTER 2024

enough of
this world
museums

Museum Rietberg Repurposed

Neues Völkerkundemuseum

Museum am Platzspitz

MISSION

In our Studio, we embark on a journey of exploring layered heritages and sustainabilities through a "Decolonization from the Other Side." Our primary goal is to dismantle the superiority complex, encouraging students to examine their place in the world. True sustainability, as we see it, necessitates a decolonization across processes, materials, and labor practices.

Open the Door

PRESS

In Niger, an Architect Looking to the Country’s Design Traditions: Eschewing a Western definition of modernity, Mariam Kamara instead conceives of buildings and spaces that account for how people really live.

Michael Snyder for NY Times Style Magazine
August 2020

PRESS

Activism-Based Architecture at atelier masōmī: How atelier masōmī is Championing Local Narratives

Interview with Mariam Issoufou Kamara
Eliza Jordan for whitewall.art
August 2023

DESIGN STUDIO
SPRING SEMESTER 2024

at the end
of the world

Topography of Confrontations

House of Tales

MISSION

Our mission revolves around developing topics that actively engage in the process of interrogating knowledge, pedagogy, and architectural practice mindsets. Through our work, we aim to push boundaries and challenge conventions, striving for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future in architecture.

Join us at the Architecture Heritage and Sustainability Chair as we embark on this transformative journey, reimagining architecture in a way that's not just visionary but also responsible, just, and deeply rooted.

Long Live the Ruin !

From Objects to Artists

Museum of Botanical Heritage

Intercultural Housing as the No-Museum

PRESS

“Africa should appear European. That’s absurd” Architect and ETH professor Mariam Issoufou Kamara builds against the climate crisis and the forgetting of African culture

Interview with Mariam Issoufou Kamara
Andres Herzog for Neue Zürcher Zeitung
June 2023

PRESS

Mariam Kamara Could Profoundly Change Design Pedagogy Everywhere

Kelly Beamon for Metropolis Mag
April 2022

DESIGN STUDIO
SPRING SEMESTER 2023

the end
of youth

Growing Together

Werkhof

A New Old Centre

PEDAGOGY

Our teaching approach is both coherent and dynamic. We provide readings that align with our core ethos, emphasizing conceptual ideas and their relevance to our topics. Our focus is on nurturing students' intent and assisting them in developing their conceptual ideas.

During desk crits, our emphasis is always on instilling good design practices. The focus of studio is not in instilling our personal preferences but about fostering a strong foundation in design principles. Structured Conversations are pivotal in instilling the ethos of our Chair and Studio. These conversations are a cornerstone of our pedagogy, facilitating critical discussions and the exchange of ideas.