The Ingenuity Of Africa's Architecture
What values are enshrined in these buildings?
How are these symbols formed?
Africa’s architecture is among the most diverse and oldest in the world. This module explores the profound impact of what we build, why, and how we build, revealing the intricate connections between architectural spaces and the foundations of human relationships.
We will explore the ingenuity of African architecture through its people, history, and culture. Central to this exploration is the celebration of women who have shaped Africa’s architectural heritage and played key roles in developing the continent’s visual and cultural history.
As you journey through this module, you’ll explore how African architecture meets its unique landscapes and offers a fresh perspective on sustainable, climate-responsive design—lessons that resonate with modern solutions.
Architectural Landscape
Africa is an ancient continent, and so is its architecture. It is one of the most diverse on the planet, containing some of the oldest forms in human history and just about every architectural style imaginable.
Explore how Africa's architecture manifests through people, history, and culture.
Explore African communities' creative practices and earth-centred heritage, offering insights into how we can reimagine their ways of being for our time.
Africa
Explore Africa's geography.
Africa
Explore Africa's diversity.
Experiences
Audio and visual experiences.
The Women Builders
Celebrate the women who have shaped Africa’s architectural heritage.
Women have been central to architectural innovations across the continent from ancient times to today, influencing its visual and cultural history. In this module, we will explore transient architecture through the story of the Gabra people, who were masters of this art and were designed by the ingenuity of Gabra women.
This exploration provides a fresh perspective on how African architecture meets its unique landscapes and offers timeless lessons.
What values are enshrined in these buildings? How are these values and symbols formed?
What we build
Why we build
Why we build
Architecture and Kinship
Architecture and kinship explores the intricate connection between architectural spaces and the foundations of relationships, revealing how physical places give rise to unique forms of kinship.
This module will examine community, the essence of belonging, and the delicate balance between individuality and collectivity. Through a unique blend of architectural inquiry and cultural exploration, Architecture and Kinship offers a fresh perspective on how our built environments shape relationships and foster a strong sense of community.
Where exactly does kinship arise? What is the importance of place in forming relationships, and why is context critical?
How do the quality of the environment and the architecture of the spaces we inhabit virtually and physically inform the quality of our relationships?
