In 2019, Sawdatou Kane left one of the biggest architecture firms in Dakar to pursue a vision that most around her had dismissed. While her employers wanted her to focus more on conventional techniques, Sawdatou had come to believe a different kind of architecture was possible —one that respected the environment, embraced local materials, and reflected the culture of the people who lived in it.
That belief became Mahde Design, a consultancy named after the Pulaar word “to build.” Her firm specialises in ecological architecture, interior design, and urban planning—using compressed earth blocks, stone, straw, and wood to create sustainable buildings that are cost-effective, healthy, and beautiful.
“Sadly, not everyone supported this idea. Some of my former bosses disliked me suggesting it to clients—they saw eco-architecture as old-fashioned or for the poor.
So I set myself a goal: to open my own firm and prove that you can build with earth or other eco-materials and still be modern and aesthetic. After all, it’s even more cost- and energy-efficient.”
Her turning point came when she discovered the Kosmos Innovation Center’s Rai’dat program in Mauritania—by chance, through a link shared in a family WhatsApp group. She applied while on holiday, with no great expectations. What followed was transformative. For the first time, she was able to step back and work on the business side of her practice, building a model, a financial plan, and a structure for growth.
“All of the women on the programme had such brilliant and complementary business ideas. There were some great ideas and I found it inspiring to be around.”
Since then, Mahde Design has gone from vision to reality. The company is responding to the rapid urbanisation of Nouakchott by designing homes and spaces that work with the local climate and cultural context. It’s not just about buildings—it’s about changing mindsets and offering a better way to live.
“I’ve nothing against modernity,” Sawdatou explains. “I love blending modern and traditional styles. As I mentioned, I worked in several leading architectural firms in the sub-region, but none offered this ecological architectural approach. Yet it fits perfectly with our environment—climate, materials, culture.”
The next chapter is already taking shape: plans for a physical office and showroom, and a new interior décor line launching this summer, featuring curtains, wall lamps, and artwork—every piece made with the same ecological values at heart. So when you see a piece of Sawdatou’s work under the Mahde Design brand, you can be sure that it is putting Mauritania, tradition and the environment first – but not forgetting the importance of great design.