The architect in focus for March is Mariam Issoufou (Saint-Étienne, France, 1979)
Mariam Issoufou, the founder of Atelier Masomi in Niamey, Niger, is an architect with a mission to create solutions rooted in cultural, historical, and climatic contexts, particularly for the challenges faced by the developing world. She is also a co-founder of the Seattle-based collective, United4Design, where she has significantly impacted two key projects in West Africa.
One notable project under her belt is the UNHabitat project in Niamey, focusing on urban village rehabilitation to enhance local living conditions while aiming for urban renewal and sustainable development. Following this, the Niamey 2000 project showcased her innovative approach in creating affordable, energy-efficient housing, which won a 2016 AIA Seattle Merit Award for its use of appropriate materials and passive design techniques.
Through her distinguished academic and professional achievements, Mariam Issoufou has joined the faculty at Brown University as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Urban Studies department. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology from Purdue University and a Master of Science in Computer Science from New York University. Issoufou’s thesis project, Mobile Loitering, explores gender and public space in Niger, earning her a thesis prize and special mention at the 2014 Young Architects in Africa Competition.
Mariam Issoufou was one of the creatives on the 2023 list of Africa’s Most Influential People.
Source: University of Washington
