Lilongwe, Malawi — Materiality (In)formalised

How brick, reed, rope and red earth become the spaces of everyday life.

In Area 24, materials are part of the process through which places are made and remade. Soil becomes brick; reeds become screens; building, trading, extending and repairing connect material production with public life.

The study follows these relationships between Ngwenya and Ganja markets. Mapping material origins and routes of exchange establishes a framework for strengthening existing trading spaces, shared facilities and connections to the river corridor.

At Ganja Market, six linked interventions address the trading core, courtyards, shared playing field, school and community spaces, approaches and vegetable garden. The proposal works through repair, reuse and incremental growth.