Zando / Grand Marché Central, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
About this story
The reconstruction replaces Kinshasa’s overcrowded and unsanitary historic central market with a covered commercial and civic complex designed by THINK TANK architecture. The architect’s official project page gives a surface area of 80,500 square metres and a program comprising the covered market, 500 shops, food court, logistics and cold-storage facilities, and support functions including market administration, a police station, fire and rescue center, infirmary, veterinary services and security control. ArchDaily reports 81,500 square metres, while later municipal reporting refers to 10,000 stalls, 650 shops, 10 cold rooms and 5,000 square metres of warehouse space; these discrepancies require confirmation. The design accommodates formal shops, stalls rented by length or area and spaces for informal trade. Open concrete halls and varied roof heights provide shade and stack ventilation without relying on conventional air conditioning. Perforated terracotta-brick façades operate as solar screens and reference Congolese patterns, while ramps make upper levels accessible. Five planted courtyards bring daylight and vegetation into the complex; rainwater is collected for irrigation, cleaning and firefighting. The team says three brick factories within 60 kilometres were reactivated to supply the project. Holcim Foundation identifies Marine de la Guerrande and Adrien Pineau as the main authors for THINK TANK architecture. The project received a 2025 Holcim Foundation regional award for the Middle East and Africa and an AFEX Grand Prix recognition. Separate public records show that the City of Kinshasa’s delegated-service arrangement with SOGEMA and substantial contract amendments have drawn scrutiny from the DRC Court of Accounts; any discussion of financing, ownership or operating rights should therefore receive additional legal and governmental verification.
Status and timeline
THINK TANK architecture lists studies from 2020–2022 and construction from 2022–2025. The building has been presented as completed in architectural media, but operational opening has not been confirmed. Kinshasa officials described the project as being in its final administrative and operational phase on August 20, 2026. On September 15, 2026, surrounding road works were reported approximately 90% complete, with four of five streets provisionally received. No definitive public-opening date was found as of September 25, 2026.
Design highlights
An African market rather than an enclosed shopping mall; low-tech bioclimatic design; naturally ventilated open-air concrete structure; mushroom-shaped roof slabs recalling the former market; locally produced perforated terracotta façades functioning as moucharabieh screens; patterned brickwork inspired by Congolese visual culture; two-material construction strategy centered on concrete and brick; five landscaped courtyards; rainwater harvesting; biodiversity corridor toward the nearby botanical garden; universal access through broad, gently sloped ramps; accommodation of formal and informal commerce.
