Technical Study of Kongo‐Central Colonial Steel Houses Belonging to the DRC Patrimony

A technical study of colonial steel-framed houses in Mbanza Kongo, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), reveals critical insights into their structural degradation and conservation challenges. These buildings, designed in Belgium at the onset of colonization, face severe damage due to harsh climatic conditions and exploitation. The research, funded by the National Fund for Scientific Research of Belgium (FNRS) and conducted collaboratively by Université libre de Bruxelles and Université de Liège, focuses on the courthouse of Mbanza-Ngungu as a case study. It identifies construction techniques, structural pathologies, and potential refurbishment solutions to safeguard these heritage structures. This investigation marks the first phase of a broader project aimed at developing tropicalization strategies for engineering and architecture in similar environments.

Nkole Kabongo, A. M., Jaspart, J.-P., & Demonceau, J.-F. (2022). Technical Study of Kongo‐Central Colonial Steel Houses Belonging to the DRC Patrimony. Ce/Papers, 5(4), 1067–1074. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/cepa.1852