Architect and compressed earth brick expert Vincent Lietar is working to promote and revitalize the compressed earth block (BTC) construction industry on the French overseas territory of Mayotte. As a member of the Art Terre Mayotte association, Lietar advocates for sustainable building solutions that could address the island's housing challenges while supporting local economic development.

The Art Terre Mayotte association recently participated in a conference titled "Mahoran Housing: Foundation of an Insular Housing Policy" at Younoussa Bamana High School. During the event, students showcased their skills by constructing a dome made from raw earth bricks, demonstrating the practical applications of traditional building techniques in modern construction.

Lietar has a specific vision for housing development on the island, drawing from successful programs of the past. "I'm talking about housing that was built in the 1980s. The housing assistance program arrived in Mayotte in 1978, and for 20 to 25 years, it developed with a very particular focus on the housing methods of Mahoran families, neighborhood organization, but also with a real commitment to local development," he explained during a television interview.

Addressing common concerns about the durability of earth-based construction materials in tropical climates, Lietar emphasized that proper construction techniques are more important than the materials themselves. "Regarding construction materials, the lesson is to build in an adapted way with the material you use. It can be wood or steel. You can make very fragile things with concrete if you build poorly," he stated. He pointed to recent evidence supporting his position: "I think the consequences of Cyclone Chido on Mahoran buildings speak for themselves. The SIM houses resisted the cyclone quite well."

When questioned about cost considerations, Lietar acknowledged that construction expenses are generally high on the island but argued that compressed earth blocks offer competitive value. "Building with bricks is very expensive, but I believe that building anything costs very expensive in Mayotte. The brick is not the cheapest material, but it offers equal competence in terms of comfort and environmental benefits. With these qualities, it operates in a completely comparable economy," he said. He also highlighted the additional economic benefits of local production: "You can add the local benefits when you manufacture, because it is obviously made in Mayotte, this creates local employment and a local economy."

Lietar provided concrete examples of successful compressed earth block construction projects on the island. "There are about 8,000 housing units called 'SIM houses' for social housing that were built with bricks – that's still a lot of bricks," he noted. He emphasized recent progress in standardizing the industry: "Today, with standardization, which is a big step forward, you should know that Mahoran know-how around bricks has been standardized both for production and implementation. This is progress today, and it allows all project managers and architects to build with it."

The architect pointed to visible examples of compressed earth block construction throughout the island, including projects at the vocational high school and several private residences. For Lietar, the BTC industry is not intended to replace other construction methods but rather to complement existing building techniques, offering Mayotte a sustainable and economically viable housing solution that honors local traditions while meeting modern needs.