African Architecture Matters - Newsletter April 2010
News In its’ first years, the ArchiAfrika newsletter was mainly focussed upon the projects and news of the organisation itself. Step by step it developed to a journal on specific issues in the field. Now, for once, we will have our main focus on ArchiAfrika again. In the recent months, we have prepared some internal but mayor changes, in preparation for the future of the network. In this newsletter these changes will be unfolded. We also take the opportunity to present to you the new faces playing a key role in the network. We will further introduce to you the new foundation African Architecture Matters, which will among other activities facilitate ArchiAfrika in the near future. ArchiAfrika recently presented a book on Mtoni Palace in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, during the exhibition on Oman. There is more information on the background and content of the book on our website. Since 2001 ArchiAfrika, founded by 5 Dutch Architects who worked in Africa for a long period, has been working on many projects and activities to stimulate the international debate on African Architecture. A website, this newsletter and a search engine on African Architecture developed into a source of inspiration for students, architects, builders and policymakers around the globe. The biennial conference ‘African Perspectives’ gained the status of the international meeting point for everybody interested and concerned in the topic. Through these activities the network grew and the alliances between the connected institutes become stronger and more intensive.
Due to the commitment of a few individuals who invested a lot of their time on a voluntary basis, ArchiAfrika became a well known concept and managed to build a network of around 1800 members, all receiving the bimonthly newsletter. ArchiAfrika is unique and the only organization worldwide with the explicit goal to stimulate the debate on modern African architecture. The importance and success of ArchiAfrika stimulates the founders to turn it into a professional network steered by representatives from the African continent and the Diaspora. To make this transition as sustainable and effective as possible, the foundation African Architecture Matters is born, to support and facilitate this further in the coming years. African Architecture Matters is also established and will be managed by the co-founders of ArchiAfrika, Antoni Folkers and Berend van der Lans, as a knowledge and service delivering organisation on African architecture and urbanism. AFRICAN ARCHITECTURE MATTERS OFFERS: · Research and consultancy on African solutions for Euro pean spatial and housing challenges · Workshops and concept development for planning for and with immigrant groups · Lectures, courses, training, workshops and tours / expeditions · Articles and publications · Research and research missions on architecture & urban planning in Africa · An infrastructure for the organisation of activities in Africa; network, facilitation, management, coordination · A multi-media library on architecture in Africa and tropical Architecture For further details on African Architecture Matters and information on its projects, visit www.aamatters.nl THE NEW BOARD OF ARCHIAFRIKA The representatives who have been invited to steer ArchiAfrika, include: · Joe Osae – Addo (remains Board member, Ghana) · Ola Uduku (Nigeria / Scotland) · Abdelmoumen Benabdeljalil (Morocco) · Karel Bakker (South Africa) · Wim Wienk (remains Treasurer, Netherlands) Berend van der Lans, one of the founders of ArchiAfrika, will become Secretary of the Board without voting rights. He also is director of African Architecture Matters and has a pivoting function between the organisations. The new structure ensures that the series of African Perspectives conferences will continue in a sustainable way, well rooted in the network. Also the website and newsletter will continue and the aim is to develop these dialogue tools to a higher level, involving more and more partners in the field. The Board will speak about the implementation of a yearly professional training workshop on shifting locations in Africa soon. Background of the board members and their visions on the ArchiAfrika network are presented in the following pages.
Due to the changes in the organisation, we wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the following persons who have been active in building up ArchiAfrika to what it is today: Annemieke de Kler is consultant on international art and cultural projects, after having worked for the Netherlands Architecture institute for years. For the NAi, she was involved in several projects in South Africa. She played a very active role in ArchiAfrika since her introduction in the Board in the beginning of 2006. Her energy and enthusiasm for ArchiAfrika’s activities was a big support and especially with the African Perspectives conference in Delft, we were working shoulder to shoulder to make it into a success. Annemieke will remain connected through her position in the Advisory Board of African Architecture Matters. Bernadette Huizinga, trained as an architect, did build up experience in the housing and urban sector in Africa and beyond. She remains travelling a lot on the continent and has played and still plays an important role in some development organisations active in Africa. Being on the continent more than anyone else of us, she was able to advise us on specific aspects of knowledge sharing, since her Board membership starting in 2006. Martien de Vletter, is trained as architectural historian. She is the director of Publishing house SUN Architecture. Before, she worked for the Netherlands Architecture institute as Chief Curator. Martien joined the Board in the beginning of 2008. Her network in the cultural field in the Netherlands and beyond was of great help, and her insight and creativity for the organisation of the activities of ArchiAfrika came at the right time. Martien remains involved as Board member of African Architecture Matters. Reinier Hietink has been Regional Manager in Africa for Greiff International Packaging for years. He is the Vice President of Tri-Sure Closurers Worldwide at present. He joined the Board of ArchiAfrika in the course of 2009, just before the plans for the new ArchiAfrika setup were becoming concrete. We are happy that he will extend his excellent insight in commercial support for ArchiAfrika through his membership to the Board of African Architecture Matters. Alex Klusman is founder of BKB, an international campaigning venture. Since April 2009 Alex acted as Chairman of ArchiAfrika and steered the Board and the organisation in a very professional way to the new structure. Now temporarily based in Cape Town with his BKB Africa office, he remains of great help with long distance advice and support. He will become Chairman of African Architecture Matters. We further have to thank David Vriesendorp, Karel Greven and Antoon Ott, who were advising during the process of reshaping ArchiAfrika, in collaboration with Wim Wienk, Treasurer and chair of the Steering Committee. The ArchiAfrika secretariat was assisted in the process of reshaping by Marga Verheije and Ralph Levie from Warner Strategy and Fundraising. Many thanks are reserved for them too.
Presentation ArchiAfrika Board Members
Joe Osae-Addo (Director of Constructs LLC, Ghana) Joe Osae-Addo was born in Ghana, West Africa, and trained at the Architectural Association in London. He worked in Finland, the UK and the USA, setting up his practice in Los Angeles in 1991. His work has been influenced by ‘genus-loci’, and how architecture can/ should respond to this in creating pieces which are both site specific and meet the needs of people who will interact with it. He is a founding partner in the A + D Museum, Los Angeles, whose mission is to advance knowledge and to enable people to appreciate and understand architecture and design. He moved back to his native country Ghana in 2004 and is currently the CEO of Constructs LLC, an inno-native design firm based in Accra and Tamale in Ghana, West Africa. Joe is also chairman of the Regional Jury African Middle East for the awards of the Holcim foundation for sustainable construction. Joe has been active in the ArchiAfrika network since the beginning of 2007, when the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana, organised the African Architecture Today conference in collaboration with Mudonline and ArchiAfrika. In 2009 he became a board member of the network. Joe aims at localizing ArchiAfrika, the ties with the locations where activities happen should become firmer. This enhances the effect of the activities and gives it more meaning. Further he sees clear chances for successful development of strong ties with the Diaspora, both in Europe and the US. He suggests that activists from
Diaspora communities should be involved in ArchiAfrika activities, they could provoke a lot of reaction during the events. In line with this, Joe proposes to invest in firm collaborations with other disciplines, engage ‘good thinkers’ like Cornel West, Anthony Appiah and others in the activities. AP’11 in Casablanca will be a showcase of the transition, that is where the new direction will ultimately has to be presented. Meanwhile he is putting effort in assisting in getting local debates off the ground, like the Conference on Media and Architectural Heritage, which took place 30 and 31 March 2010 in Accra, organised by ‘Art in Social Structures’ in Ghana.
Karel Bakker (Head Architecture Department, University of Pretoria) Karel Bakker lives in Pretoria where he teaches and heads the Department of Architecture at the University of Pretoria, as well as being an active member of Cultmatrix environmental consultants. He is also active in ICOMOS (SA) and the SA Council of Architects and SA Institute of Architects. Under his headship the Department follows an ecosystemic epistemology in which the programmes in Architecture, Interior architecture and Landscape architecture are constantly learning from each other. The focus of research is on Urbanism and Housing, Heritage and Cultural landscapes, as well as Environmental Potential. His work in Cultmatrix focuses on urban regeneration, management of cultural landscapes, impact assessment and conservation. He is involved in advocacy in various World Heritage sites, and performs investigative missions for the WHC. He has produced numerous technical reports on heritage management, and published and presented papers locally and internationally on interpretation and presentation of heritage, urban regeneration, architectural history, architectural pedagogy, local African settlements, conservation of earth architecture, and others. ArchiAfrika is a powerful idea with an active core. It is in the nature of ideas to affect change, and the members and friends of ArchiAfrika direct their energy towards the critical inquiry, enrich-
ment of opinions, the increase of understanding about and the validation of the achievements of the built environment in Africa, and effected within a wide and inclusive intellectual community in order to focus that understanding and validation towards practical beneďŹ ciation in the African built environment. As a network organisation it is necessary to maintain and continuously build strong interaction and links with organisations and individuals with likeminded or allied ideas, and to combine forces where that will result in the greatest beneďŹ ciation. For this it will also be necessary to position ArchiAfrika in important decision making-, developmental- and environmental management fora. However, there should be a will to increase research (on the history, current condition and futures of African cultural landscapes, cities and architecture), analytical processes and debate, the conservation of ideas and the facilitation of the dissemination of skills and knowledge related to the conceptualisation, design, management and sustaining of African cultural environments. In this venture various allied tertiary education institutions, research facilities and NGO’s will be brought together under the umbrella of the AA Knowledge Centre. In the short term the current digital archive and organisational data base will be enlarged and its internet-related impact rate strengthened. In the long terms the power of interactive webbased learning and advocacy must be utilised to increase the impact of our organisation at the grass roots level.
Abdelmoumen Benabdeljalil (Director Ecole de l’Architecture de Casablanca) Graduated of the national Liszt Paris VI architecture overview, and then the University Paris VIII where he obtained a master’s degree in urban planning, M. BENABDELJALIL began his professional career as a teacher at the Ecole Mohammadia of engineers and the Hassania School of public works. In 1975 he created the “Collectif d’Architecture” first group of architects which became known after he won numerous competitions. During his professional practice he realized many projects including housing, offices and community facilities as well as studies of town planning. He conducted researches on regional architecture and produced a guide to develop the city green plans. In 1988 he established a superior school of design and communication ‘ ART Com ‘; following that in 2004, he created the architecture school of Casablanca. Former President of the National Council of the College of architects of Morocco and of the International College of Architects Experts, he is actually a member of the steering committee of the Moroccan Association for sustainable construction - AMCOD -. The Strengths of ArchiAfrika By bringing together teachers, scientists and architects from the dark and other continents, around issues of architecture and urban planning in Africa, AA participates to the promotion of its heritage and supports the contemporary architectural production of its creators. By encouraging meetings, exchanges and networking, it contributes to awareness of African actors, of the community of their history and the necessity to establish closer links to meet today’s challenges. Plans & aspirations for ArchiAfrika By organizing the next “African Perspectives” Conference in November 2011, we would like to consolidate the place and the role of the “Ecole d’Architecture de Casablanca” with AA. We hope to attract many academics and researchers from franco-
phone countries and contribute to the enlargement of the network of AA members. The location of the manifestation in Casablanca will be helpful for that.
Ola Uduku (Tutor Edinburgh College of Arts) Ola Uduku is a senior lecturer in Architecture at the School of Architecture at Edinburgh College of Art . She is also a staff member of the joint Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture ESALA, University of Edinburgh. Her research interests include School Design in Africa , the influence of Modern Movement Architecture in West and Southern Africa, and social infrastructure provision for minority groups, particularly Diaspora communities in urban areas. Strengths of ArchiAfrika The potential strengths of ArchiAfrika lie in its function as a vehicle for the association and dissemination of information on African architectural projects of various descriptions, within Africa and in the West. Also the proposed workshop and outreach functions that the organisation hopes to be involved with. Plans & aspirations for ArchiAfrika This probably is a good picture that embodies my view of Archiafrica . This is a water resevoir designed by James Cubitt for a small regional library in Umuahia, Eastern Nigeria c. 1965. The photo was taken in 2008, the form now houses a ‘canteen’, with a shaded area for conversation by visitors to the library. The slots for bicycles on the base of the structure alas are no longer in use as Umuahia’s inhabitants have swapped bicycles for cars… The ‘proof of design concept’, and its adaptability and relevance for today however remains strong 40+ years on.
Wim Wink – Treasurer (FMO, Netherlands) My academic education in geography and economy brought me to Africa in the early days of my professional career, which is by the way a long time ago. I worked for several organizations in East Africa, Kenya as well as in West Africa, Mali. Straight from the beginning I was struck by the joyfulness of the people despite very challenging living and economic conditions. Strengths of ArchiAfrika After a commercial banking interbellum I switched to development banking. The FMO (Dutch Development Bank) brought me all over the emerging world. After Latin America and Asia and I am now back again focusing on Africa especially agro-industry and infrast� Plans & aspirations for ArchiAfrika ArchiAfrika creates a unique platform to put African architecture on the map supported at it is by talented people from different disciplines in key positions. My major objective is to make it a viable organization, on firm footing, which will be a source of inspiration for architects and planners all over Africa.
Agenda
Acquisitions Granted by Antoni Folkers P.J. Moree (1998) A Concise History of Dutch Mauritius, 1598-1710: A Fruitful Healthy Land. Kegan Paul International, New York. D. G. Jongmans (19634) Libie: Landvan de Dorst. Terra, Netherlands Other Media Ghana Perliamentary Debates: Official Report (4 April, 1963) Vol. 31: No. 23. Printed in Ghana Project Zaca, Le Plus grand Pole D’Investissement Au Burkina Faso. Au Coeur de la capitale Ougadougou, La Zaca est un Projet D’Amenagement urban sans precedent dans la Sous region. Purchased Clive Chipkin (2008) Johannesburg Transition: Architecture & Society from 1950. STE Publishers, Johannesburg. Chris Maina Peter, Haroub Othman (Eds) (2006) Zanzibar and the Union Question. Zanzibar Legal Services Centre, Zanzibar.
31 March – 05 September 2010 Urban Africa - David Adjaye’s Photographic Journey Design Museum London, United Kingdom 19 - 27 August 2010 11th International Docomomo Conference - Living in the Urban Modernity, Mexico 28 - 30 October 2010 The International Social Housing Summit, The Netherlands
Colofon Text Joe Osae – Addo Abdelmoumen Benabdeljalil Ola Uduku Karel Bakker Wim Wienk Berend van der Lans Design Rachel Stella Jenkins Editing Berend van der Lans Translation Anne-Marie van den Nieuwenhof-Damishimiro FONDATION SHIMIRO, Pointe-Noire, Congo Elisabeth Bastemeijer
Supported by ArchiAfrika receives support from the following institutes and organisations: Stichting Doen Delft University of Technology De Twee Snoeken Automatisering FBW Architecten bkvdl Dioraphte Foundation
ArchiAfrika
P.O. box 14174 3508 SG Utrecht Netherlands tel +31 (0)30 223 23 20 fax +31 (0)30 251 82 78 www.archiafrika.org
COMPETITION: BLUEPRINTS OF PARADISE (ENG) The perception of Africa by the Western public is all too often dominated by images of a (traditional) society overwhelmed with disaster and problems. The reality is often very different . African cities, for example, are indisputably modern cities, but different to the modern Western cities. These cities are also developing in a different way. The Afrika Museum and African Architecture Matters join hands to change the perception with the competition Blueprints of Paradise: how would you suggest the Afrika Museum to present contemporary and future Africa? An international jury will make a selection of the entries, which will become part of the main exhibition of the museum in 2011. The opening of the competition will be announced soon! The competition is open for architects, students, artists, thinkers, anyone who has great ideas to share, under one condition: the participants should have roots in Africa. Keep an eye at www.afrikamuseum.nl!
CONCOURS : BLUEPRINTS OF PARADISE (FRA) Trop souvent la perception de l’Afrique par le publique occidental est dominée par des images d’une société (traditionelle) surchargée des désastres et des problèmes. Pourtant la réalité souvent est très différente. Les citées Africaines, par example, sont des citées indisputablement modernes, bienque distinctes des citées modernes Européennes. Le développement urbain se realise dans une manière différente. La Musée de l’Afrique et African Architecture Matters agent de concert à fin de changer cette perception sumentionnée en organisant ce concours BLUEPRINTS OF PARADISE: Comment vous suggeriez la Musée de l’Afrique présente l’Afrique contemporaine et future? Un jury international fera une sélection des propositions, lesquelles feront part de l’exposition principale de la Musée en 2011. Le départ du concours sera annoncé bientôt! Ce concours-ci est ouvert pour les architects, étudiants, artistes, penseurs, quiconque avec des idées à partager, avec une seule condition: les participants doivent avoir leurs ‘roots’ en Afrique. Gardez à vue la site www.afrikamuseum.nl !!
MODERN ARCHITECTURE IN AFRICA
Antoni Folkers ISBN 9789085069614 | Paperback | 368 pages €42.50 published by SUN architecture Africa’s interpretation of Modernism Modern Architecture in Africa is one of the few Western studies of modern African architecture. The author, Antoni Folkers, who ran a firm of architects in Uganda and Tanzania for many years, challenges the moralistic, simplistic Western view of African Modernism. His richly illustrated book shows that Modernism in Africa is not as theoretical as in Europe and America, and has resulted in a wide variety of colourful architecture. The book will be presented at Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands) on 27 April. This publication provides a unique insight into modern African architecture, which is undeniably influenced by modern European architecture but at the same time is a natural development of traditional local architecture. On the basis of practical examples, Folkers documents and describes the hybrid architectural forms that have emerged from the confrontation and blending with modern and pre-modern Western architecture and urbanism. He narrates in passing the history of African architecture. About the author Antoni Folkers is an architect and urbanist. In the 1980s he moved to Africa, where he set up the firm FBW architects, with branches in Kampala (Uganda), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and elsewhere. Since 2000 Folkers and his firm have been based in Utrecht. He is the founder and director of the ArchiAfrika platform. Funding for the book was provided by the Netherlands Architecture Fund and the Netherlands Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture. --------------Press information For more information, pictures, a review copy or an interview with the author, please get in touch with Marlies Dijkstra at Sun architecture on + 31 (0)20-5244512 or at m.dijkstra@sunarchitecture.nl.