STUDIO83

As a lady who likes to travel globally, I’ve always been fascinated by the built environment, which was why I chose the architectural and interior design profession. To top it off I’m of East African decent, and I’ve practiced architecture in South Africa and Namibia, and what strikes me in all the cities I’ve visited on the African content is a shift to a more Modern and International style of design.

Architects of both African and European decent based on the African continent, strive for this Modern resolution to design problems, and yet there are awards given to architects under the title ‘Best African Design’. Of note, the designs that win are usually designed by an architect of European decent, and are a mish mash of hut design on a grander scale, with a couple of gum poles and sisal rope thrown in for good measure, oh and God forbid you don’t feature an exposed thatch roof.

What are we as African designers doing to promote OUR cultural designs? Are we referring to fellow African architects? Do we even know who the African architects are? And what is African architecture to begin with?

With these questions in mind, I’ve decided to do a series of weekly articles, covering what I consider to be African architecture. I will cover, North (Egypt), South (Zimbabwe), East (Kenya/Tanzania) and West (Mali) African kingdoms that thrived before the influence from the western world (aka colonisation). I will then present a few African architects practicing in Africa and a few who have thrived outside the continent.

A couple of days ago I was introduced to ANZA Magazine ( www.anzastart.com) . It is a magazine that was started by some young architects and architectural students in Dar es salaam, Tanzania, that hopes to discuss and explore East African Architecture. Though it is a shadow in comparison to most of the South African and Namibian publications, it made me proud to know, that the young designers out there see a need to promote a dialogue on African Design by African architects.

I do not refute the hut as a solution to our shelter needs, nor do I condemn its symbol as a vernacular housing design, and its widespread style all over the continent, but I would like to illustrate a different African design resolution to the greater populous.

 

the little hut that could