In a world grappling with the challenges of climate change and dwindling resources, African architecture emerges as a beacon of innovation and sustainability. Recent exhibitions and works showcased by African architects shed light on the ingenious ways scarcity can fuel creativity and resilience. From salt bricks to sweeping mud walls, these architects are redefining the boundaries of architectural design while offering valuable lessons to the global community.
Nigerian architect Tosin Oshinowo spearheaded a groundbreaking exhibition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) titled "The Beauty of Impermanence: An Architecture of Adaptability." The exhibition aimed to explore how regions like Africa thrive amidst limited resources, with a particular focus on addressing the looming threat of climate change. Oshinowo emphasized the urgent need for innovative solutions in the face of environmental challenges.
Exhibits Showcasing African Innovation
One striking exhibit featured in the exhibition was the work of Ethiopian designer Miriam Hillawi Abraham, who constructed a church-like structure entirely from salt. Drawing inspiration from Ethiopia's rock-hewn churches and the salt-encrusted village of Dallol, Abraham's "Museum of Artifice" is a poignant reminder of the resilience in seemingly inhospitable environments. Built from pink Himalayan salt, the structure symbolizes the impermanence of human creations in the face of natural forces.
Ghanaian architecture firm Hive Earth Studio showcased its expertise in sustainable construction with its exhibit "Eta'dan," which means "mud wall" in Ghana's Fante language. By compressing locally sourced earth, the studio demonstrated the viability of traditional building techniques in contemporary contexts. Through meticulous experimentation with materials, it achieved strength and durability while minimizing environmental impact.
The exhibit "Limbo Accra" by design duo Dominique Petit-Frère and Emil Grip offered a creative response to the prevalence of unfinished building projects in West Africa. Transforming a derelict shopping mall into an inviting space, they merged elements of West African architecture with Bedouin influences. Their collaboration with Ivorian fashion label Super Yaya resulted in "Super Limbo," a captivating fusion of culture and design.
Embracing Biodiversity in Architectural Design
Architects Papa Omotayo and Eve Nnaji drew inspiration from the intersection of industry and nature in Sharjah, crafting a three-story sanctuary titled "We Rest at the Birds Nest." Constructed from scaffolding and organic waste, their structure provided a haven for birds and workers. These innovative architects employed biodiversity components in their designs to reveal the practical relations between natural and human ecosystems.
Through these different exhibits, the African architects are showing by example that we can have a world where we will not only be building for today without platforms or ceilings but a world that will also leave for future generations. Embracing local materials, traditional practices, and ecological thinking is the summary of the contribution they give to the entire world through their lessons. With climate change ever becoming the longest-term factor that will continually trigger the reshaping of our world, the creativity of African architecture consistently illuminates the way forward toward fortitude and adaptation.
Through understanding ecological balance and the environment, Tosin wishes the exhibition to generate conversations about the relationship between architecture and creating sustainable livelihoods. With a focus on art going through a climax at a place most affected by the climate crisis, her work is there to spotlight the need for architects everywhere to factor in this ecological balance before putting anything to paper. African architecture, thus, is not only an art that is not based on imagined permanence but also a potent reminder of human tenacity in challenging conditions.
