Usually representing spirits, ancestors or the primordial couple, these figures were placed in shrines and treated with great respect. Through a wide range of style, scale, belief and function the couples depicted share a timeless, serene equality necessary to the continuity of their societies.
Embassy of Switzerland in Nairobi / Roeosli Maeder Architects
The Swiss federal office for buildings and logistics recently acquired a piece of land for the construction of a new embassy in the Rosslyn green estate, a residential area just outside the centre of Nairobi
ArchiDATUM Dates: Joe Osae-Addo on Competition and the Call to Young African Architects
This week ArchiDATUM dates the enigmatic Joe Osae-Addo, a renowned architect from Ghana and founder of the ArchiAfrika platform with a strong character which lives in his belief system as is seen in his highly acclaimed residence, Inno-native house. His words rally for zest in young upcoming African architects, with whom he has a special connection to as mentor and friend. After day long lectur...
National Park of Mali / Kere Architecture
Amidst the senseless construction of commercial urban projects in Bamako, a welcoming vision of nature and beauty stands at the entrance of the National Park. The renowned architect Diébédo Francis Kéré, Aga Khan Award for Architecture recipient in 2004, was commissioned to redevelop 8 existing structures and design a primary and secondary gate, an entry building, a youth and sports centre, a ...
Film + Architecture: What it Holds for Africa
Did you notice the impossible Penrose steps in Inception? Or the Guggenheim Museum by Frank Lloyd Wright and Phaeno Science Center by Zaha Hadid in The International? Cinemas have always found a way to reward groundbreaking architectural thoughts with engrossing scenes and sometimes 3D visual immersion into new worlds. All this is possible technologically by manipulating physical spaces and rel...
Nigerian Cultural Centre and Millenium Tower / Studio Nicoletti Associati
The Cultural Centre and the Millennium Tower of Nigeria, together with the National Square will make up a harmonious complex which will improve the quality of the City of Abuja. It is an ambitious proposal that extends two adjoining plots in the cultural, religious and administrative heart of the city. It is a refreshing approach that is in direct opposition to the traditional architecture link...
Eko Atlantic City / AR+H Architects
Dubbed as the future Hong Kong of Africa, the new upcoming city of Eko Atlantic is the most impressive urban development project in Nigeria and is setup as one of the greatest engineering feats in Africa. It is set to present opportunities for investors, business owners, residents and commuters alike with financial, commercial, residential and tourist accommodations run by a state-of-the-art hi...
TechU Ibadan campus / MZ Architects
Every once in a while, institutional projects break the prescribed path of mundane repetition and enters the league of extraordinary architecture. The makers of Eko Atlantic City, MZ Architects have achieved that daunting task with the TechU Ibadan campus, an ultra-modern institution for higher learning in Oyo State, Nigeria. The project is already hailed as the first of its kind in the country...
The Assinie-Mafia Catholic Church / Koffi & Diabaté Architectes
The small town of Assinie-Mafia is typified by modesty, low cost structures and a bright hopeful community are synonymous to such African developing towns. Tropical heat is always a concern in such environments and sustainability is a major concern to the architects. Tapping into the zeitgeist of the context, Koffi & Diabaté Architectes designed a magnificent church which transforms a pract...
Glover 57 Apartments / Domaine Public Architects
Located in the suburbs of Lagos, Glover 57 Apartments are a superb manifestation of contemporary residential living. Domaine Public Architects responded to the specificities of the climate of the city and its lush landscape with a keen intent to create towering structures that prioritize views. All these features had placed the Glover 57 Apartments in the limelight with a nomination in the Worl...
Botswana Innovation Hub/ SHoP Architects
The Land of Giants is about to welcome another titan. Now with an ambitious building that blends with the earth in a dynamic, futuristic architectural style, it is set to attract international organizations with the country’s first LEED certified building in the outskirts of Gabarone.
Baragwanath Transport Interchange and Traders Market/ Urban Solutions Architects and Urban Designers
The Baragwanath Transport Interchange and Trader Market (or Bara Mall in short) forms part of the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Council’s Baralink Development Framework. Baralink aimsto integrate and uplift the Greater Soweto Area with Johannesburg like a gateway through one of the busiest transport nodes in South Africa.
Ardhi University/ University of Dar es Salaam
With a swooping roof and ideal surroundings for serenity and learning, the Ardhi University campus captures the very essence of student life and creativity. Located along University Road past Mlimani City Shopping mall, it provides easy access to both commercial and residential parts of the city which serves to inspire the campus students. Albeit enough inspiration can be drawn from their facul...
Aloe Ridge House/ Metropole Architects
Under the leafy canopy of an immense Albizia Tree nestles Aloe Ridge House, a 300sqm contemporary home in the Eden Rock Estate on Kwa Zulu Natal’s South Coast of South Africa. The house stands proud on its corner site and is a progressive cantilever form that proclaims its presence and is representative of a paradigm shift in the estate’s architectural design language.
Evolution of Pedestrian Bridges/ Urban Morphology
Africa is growing at an unprecedented rate with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) projecting that urban population in Sub-Saharan Africa will double by 2030. With such statistics, urban designers (and planners alike) need to start drawing lessons from the successes and failures of existing cities. And in particular, the life of the average pedestrian in cities.
Dar es Salaam: An Emerging African Metropolis
With more than a century of cultural heritage and history, Dar es Salaam has shone its light as not only the main economic centre of Tanzania but also an urban hub for travel and entertainment in East Africa. The earliest reference to the town talks of a nearby settlement of the Swahili Shomvi people called Mzizima, short for Mji mzima translating to the Complete City. However, it was establish...
Kigali: A City’s Rebirth Into The 21st Century
Transcending the trials and tribulations of its dark past to become one of the fastest growing economies in Africa, Rwanda exemplifies the spirit of a progress with a bright future in the horizon. To some, it is referred to as ‘the Singapore of Africa’ due to its attitude towards development. And there is no other city that shares in this remarkable journey of rising up from the ashes as the Ci...
Johannesburg: The City of Gold
A city of various urban dimensions and distinguished as one of the largest urban clusters in the world. Jozi is undoubtedly the economic powerhouse of Sub-Saharan Africa with its origins made on the gold deposits lying in the Witswatersrand range of hills. The provincial capital of Gauteng has had its fair share of history from dusty miners’ town to aristocrat colonial society wrangling with ap...
In Africa: Architecture Society of China_Part I
For many on the continent, the term ‘made in China’ strikes a raw nerve to the extent of dismissal and irrational repulsion. Yet we have seen a myriad of genuine and ingenious products from their automotive industry to handheld gadgets in our pockets.
Durban Beach Front Redevelopment / Design Workshop SA
The Durban Beach front development, is a revamp of the Durban’s Golden mile Promenade, orchestrated by Design Workshop: S.A. This development is located in Mini Town, the northernmost node of the four nodes in the city of Durban. It includes a restaurant, a skate park, the promenade, Amphitheatre, and public ablution. The primaryintervention was a new public facilities and restaurant building. ...
Musau Kimeu: The Philosophy of Environmental Design
Day two of the Triad@50 celebrations brought in a familiar face from the world of sustainable design. Arch. Musau Kimeu is renowned for his environmental strategies in Kenya, a visionary some would say with his radical ‘sustainable’ ideologies which have silenced many in the LRC buildings at Catholic University, Karen.
UIA Road trip Caravan 2014/ Students under the EAIA
For the very first time, six colleges of architecture across East Africa supported their students in an adventurous academic trip through the region’s major cities whilst engaging them in architectural discourse. They shared ideas on urban design challenges with solutions emerging from ARCHITECTURE OTHERWHERE as a means to prime them for the highly anticipated UIA Durban 2014 Conference.
Dedan Kimathi Monument/ School of Fine Art, Kenyatta University
The sculpture stands on a pedestal placed in the middle of the junction of Kimathi Street and Mama Ngina Street, isolating it amidst the city traffic. The guard rails that surround it act as a nuisance in the approach, inconveniencing the overall placement and accessibility of the monument. Despite the physical separation, the sculpture is still visible; its position unscathed by shadow and the...
House 12 Magnolia Hills / Mehraz Ehsani
In the quiet suburbs of Kitisuru, away from the bustling streets of Nairobi, a magnificent mansion has captured the essence of contemporary modern living with picturesque views all round. Like a dream house, it is a result of genius and keen attention to detail. With playful exploration of pools, fountains and jacuzzis, light and space, green and hard landscape… the house is a breath of fresh a...
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