CPDI AFRICA BLOG

Hello everyone, My name is John Ridley, I was born in Panama City Florida and raised in Kennesaw Georgia. I graduated from Kennesaw State University where I majored in African and African Diaspora Studies. My hobbies are health and fitness, and freshwater - saltwater fishing is another favorite hobby of mine. It naturally connects me with the hunter-gatherer spirit in a way! A fun fact about me, 3 years ago I decided to pick a guitar and self learn. I’m enjoying the challenge that comes along with it when learning to play a new song. I love architecture not just for its functional use, and creative use of materials, but for its cultural and symbolic meanings. As a researcher, the depth of scholarship and of course connection to identity, found in the subject matter grabbed my attention. I am thankful for my African architecture course at Kennesaw State University with Prof. Okwumabua, as it opened my eyes to so much of my cultural heritage as an African American that I would not have o

The Resilience Haitian resort and culture center reflect the resilience of the Haitian people and the culture of Haiti. The main architectural features that were analyzed to design the project was the lakou, or courtyard, the galri, or porche, and the jaden, or garden. These characteristics are very important when analyzing Haitian architecture. Furthermore, resilience and jaden mostly influenced the project. Kherby wanted to represent the resiliency because that’s what the Haitian people are known for. Play video below to watch the full design Presentation The thought of freedom from slavery was first proclaimed by Haitians in 1804. The jaden was an important factor in the design because, the Haitian population have hope for a better future and usually send their kids to school in other places. He wanted to take the idea of 'planting & growing' and compare to 'learning & practice'. Another element kherby wanted to portray in this structure is the use of detrime

Hello everyone, My name is Kherby Jean and I am a 4th year architecture major at Tuskegee University. Born in Haiti, my parents always told me to be humble and work hard. My parents brought me to the US in 2010 for one reason, a better life. I am pursuing architecture because I am passionate about helping and would like to create affordable housing for people in my home country, Haiti. Through faith, knowledge and community, I believe that this is possible. In addition to architecture, I am a partner at a clothing company called Blakhveny where we represent culture and social change. Overall, my goal is to help people, have an impact on the future generation, and inspire change.  Learning about African architecture and Haitian architecture was truly an exhilarating process, I learned so much about my history and culture. As stated above, I was born in Haiti, but I had never connected my Haitian identity to my African identity until CPDI Africa. Seeing and learning so much about

Anyanwu is the Sun Goddess who also is an omen for good fortune. The Anyanwu resort is located at the base of Milkin Hill in Enugu State, Nigeria. In Enugu, Milkin Hill is a point of pride for the people. The story goes that the road up Milkin Hill was carved by the ancestors with their bare hands. The folklore that is passed down says that a serpent god was staking claim on his territory and he did so by wrapping his body around the hill creating the road they use today. Play video below to watch the design Quick Animation The resort is designed to stake claim on the land. The people of Enugu don’t have many tourist attractions but The Anyanwu was designed to serve the people while giving them a place that showcases their pride in their land just like their pride in their rode. These masks were her inspiration. she appreciated their symmetry and simplicity. The floor plan and its symmetry was inspired by these masks, (particularly, the one on the right) and others like it. Play video

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Hello everyone! My name is Udochukwu Anidobu and I am a sophomore in Architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I was born in the US and grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago but my family is from ENUGU State Nigeria. My hobbies are reading and cooking. Fun fact, I used to be a football goalie in secondary school 😊.   I have been involved with architecture since secondary school and fell in love with the design process and how architecture can solve a variety of problems with one thoughtful design. African architecture is a passion of mine because I love how it truly “takes a village.” Eurocentric architecture tends to glorify the individual designer whereas African architecture focuses on the community and its involvement in the process.   I recently decided that I wanted to pursue an uncommon path. I wanted to be an Afrocentric architect. Most students my age aren’t thinking so far in the future, but I love my people and I love my heritage. So much of it has b