Totem Architects was founded by Ahmed Sangaré and Sionfougo Soro in 2015. After 5 years of professional practice in architectural and interior design firms, working on various types of projects such as offices, residences, hotels, educational establishments, and mixed-use buildings, Ahmed and Sionfougo combined their respective experiences to bring together talents centred around the values of excellence, boldness, and teamwork.

Vision

Totem Architects positions itself as a key player in contemporary African architecture, combining innovation, sustainability, and cultural heritage. Through a resolutely modern approach, the firm creates urban spaces that inspire, meet the aspirations of a dynamic and globally connected Africa, and anticipate the environmental and societal challenges of tomorrow.

Missions

To achieve this vision, we have set ourselves the following missions:

Designing contemporary architecture that embodies African identity
— Creating buildings that translate African aesthetics into a modern and attractive architectural language, taking into account the aspirations of urban populations and the evolution of lifestyles—an architecture that speaks to both today’s and tomorrow’s Africa.

Optimizing energy efficiency and environmental impact
— Developing design solutions that enhance the energy performance of buildings (natural ventilation, optimal orientation, low-carbon materials, etc.) while integrating sustainable technologies suited to Africa’s climate and context.

Integrating new technologies into architecture
— Leveraging digital tools (BIM, smart buildings, artificial intelligence) to improve project quality, optimize costs, and create smarter, more flexible spaces that align with new urban lifestyles.

Placing people and user experience at the heart of projects
— Designing spaces that promote well-being, social interaction, and seamless functionality, taking into account evolving lifestyles and involving clients from the earliest phases of the project.

Anticipating the challenges of tomorrow’s African cities
— Engaging in forward-thinking discussions on the development of African metropolises by integrating solutions that address housing challenges, mixed-use developments, mobility, and urban resilience.

Values

At Totem Architects, we deeply believe in the following values, which guide every project and interaction:

Excellence – Raising the standards of African architecture
We are committed to delivering high-quality architectural solutions, continuously pushing the boundaries of design, technical expertise, and innovation.

Boldness – Daring to propose architecture that inspires and transforms
We embrace challenges with ambition and creativity, developing architectural concepts that evoke emotion and pride.

Teamwork – Bringing together talents and expertise for exceptional projects
We believe in the power of teamwork and the richness of collaboration, integrating the best local and international expertise to create unique and outstanding projects.