Construction Methods
Mud construction is common in Guineau-Bissau. Homes are usually built with mud bricks and thatched roofing. Alternatively, corrugated metal roofing can be used for durability and ease of construction. Some larger buildings, such as hotels, are constructed with concrete. The country also has a cement market, producing between 60 and 100 thousand tons of the material per year. Other building materials include loam, granite, and limestone.
One of the main issues with mud construction is the threat of deterioration due to heavy rains. Additionally, heavy rainfall causes disruptive noise inside buildings that have corrugated metal roofing. The previous research that I conducted for a past project in Liberia includes experimenting with natural waterproofing methods that can be applied to the exterior of mud walls in order to make them more water resistant. Below is, a natural water proofing recipe that I found in a book entitled, Barefoot Architect. It is an exterior paint derived from cactus juice.
