Architects gather at SOAS gallery to discuss Building Africa exhibition
Architects from Ghana, Ethiopia and South Africa will come together at SOAS University of London this week to discuss how the Building Africa exhibition, hosted at SOAS’s Brunei Gallery, was brought together.
The roundtable event will take place on Friday 8 March and delve into the collaborative efforts behind the Building Africa exhibition. Distinguished speakers for the event include:
- Nahom Teklu, architect based in Addis Ababa
- Khensani Jurczok-de Klerk and Aude Tollo from the Matri-Archi(tecture) Collective, representing South Africa and Switzerland
- Augustine Owusu-Ansah and Lois Quartey, architects based in Accra
- Julia Gallagher and Kuukuwa Manful, researchers and curators
The researchers and design teams involved will gather to exchange perspectives on collaboration, the intricate processes of research interpretation, and the challenges and triumphs of presenting their work to diverse audiences in Addis Ababa, Johannesburg, Accra, and London.
The roundtable event will be chaired by Amelia Odida from the Department of Politics and International Studies at SOAS. Attendees are encouraged to join for any portion of the afternoon to gain a range of insights into this collaborative endeavor.
Exhibition highlights
Some of the highlights from the exhibition include the Tilla – an umbrella-like structure that is a recreation from a similar exhibition originally held in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. This mobile structure houses a series of augmented reality stories about buildings around Africa and was shown in various locations around the city.
The Tilla was first used to shade sun visitors when installed outdoors and is named after an Amharic word evoking shade, shelter, and protection. It contains a series of QR codes hanging like leaves from the panels – these QR codes scan through to various African buildings relating to the continent’s politics and featured in the research project.
The Building Africa exhibition stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between the African State Architecture project research team alongside architects hailing from Ethiopia, South Africa, and Ghana.
Building Africa
Through a 5-year research initiative, Building Africa illustrates a range of local perspectives and augmented reality narratives. This initiative has facilitated a convergence of ideas and expertise, resulting in a rich tapestry of architectural narratives and cultural insights.
Curated by Professor Julia Gallagher and Dr Kuukuwa Manful and supported by ERC funding, the installations and exhibits explore the intersection of architecture and politics across the continent.
