The 3rd International Biennial of Tropical Architecture (BIAT 2024) brought together specialists and thinkers from the four corners of the world at the Port, from November 5 to 7, to discuss the theme “Alternative project practices in tropical environments”. Supported by the Réunion School of Architecture, this biennial highlights environmentally friendly architectural and urban planning solutions, designed specifically for tropical regions. Under the direction of Ecuadorian architect Maria Samaniego, BIAT 2024 becomes a privileged space for exchanges and reflection, promoting creative and responsible approaches to respond to the ecological and social challenges specific to intertropical zones.
Tropical architecture: sustainability and consideration of cultural identity
The concept of “alternative practices” was at the heart of the interventions in this edition, which questions the capacity of architectural projects to integrate sustainability, biodiversity, and social issues into their approaches. These practices favor the use of local materials, construction methods with a low carbon footprint and bioclimatic designs adapted to tropical conditions. Philippe Madec, French pioneer of sustainable architecture, emphasizes that “each project is an opportunity to redefine our relationship with nature, particularly in the fragile contexts of tropical regions”.
Beyond technical approaches, this biennial also advocates for an architecture nourished by local cultural identity, by reintegrating ancestral knowledge often discarded in favor of imported solutions. Kevin O'Brien, Australian architect and figure of the “Designing with Country” initiative, therefore proposes to redefine architectural design by drawing on the knowledge of Australia's indigenous communities. For him, “architecture must above all be a response to the particularities of the territory and local cultural practices”.
Projects providing sustainable solutions
Several projects presented during BIAT illustrated the richness and ingenuity of architectural practices adapted to the tropics. In Ecuador, architect Javier Mera offers BIOM, an innovative insulating material made from recycled rice straw. Designed to replace concrete, it offers an ecological solution by reducing CO2 emissions, while improving the thermal comfort of buildings. This innovation promotes a local circular economy and responds to the climatic specificities of tropical areas.
In Reunion, landscaper Sébastien Clément presented the UFR Santé park in Saint-Pierre. This bioclimatic project combines buildings and thematic gardens which enrich local biodiversity, creating a real ecosystem in an educational space. The green trails, using native plants, promote sensory interaction with nature, thus illustrating a holistic approach where architecture and landscape come together.
For its part, the “VAN DAN VIL” project by the abitē agency in Martinique shows how the restoration of historic buildings in the city center can revitalize heritage and meet contemporary needs. By transforming buildings into coworking spaces and eco-responsible housing, this project promotes local architecture while offering a concrete response to the challenges of urbanization and vacancy in urban centers.
Towards a responsible and committed architecture
Tropical architecture finds in this biennial a unique space for reflection on the means of combining respect for the environment, cultural identity and well-being of residents. The architects, landscapers and urban planners gathered at the Port agree on the need to think of buildings not only as living spaces, but as ecosystems capable of interacting positively with their environment.
At the conclusion of the biennial, the importance of a shared and collaborative approach was underlined: solutions for a sustainable future will require a permanent exchange between experts, citizens and local decision-makers. Maria Samaniego summarizes the spirit of this BIAT by affirming that “tropical architecture is much more than a climatic response; it is an act of reconciliation with our environment.”
While global warming intensifies the challenges of tropical regions, BIAT 2024 proves that solutions exist, anchored in local realities and leading to a sustainable future.
