CPDI AFRICA BLOG

It's Almost That Time CPDI AFRICA Family and Friends!!! EXPO 2022 Afrocentric Architecture Excursion & Workshop is here, LIVE in ABUJA, FCT Nigeria!💯💯 Family, you know we are All About Developing African Inspired Architecture in our Built Environment! If the Architecture is Culturally and Environmentally Sustainable, then CPDIA Celebrates the Designer and the Project!💯💯 Not in West Africa this summer, No Worries!! EXPO 2023 we host our International Conference!  This CPDI Africa Workshop introduces participants to the concepts for developing new African architectural languages, inspired by the culture and technology of traditional and contemporary African societies. We harness solutions to today's built environment problems, sourced from African science and design philosophies. The workshop surveys innovations in both the African and Diaspora-built environment. Professionals and students will be introduced to the research initiatives of CPDI Africa, the Art of African A...

  The CPDI Africa Global Studio for African Centered Architecture: an Academic Platform for Teaching a New Pedagogy in African Architecture. The CPDI Africa Global Studio for African Centered Architecture provides architects and designers an African centered academic platform for learning technical solutions for problem solving in their communities, while preserving culture and heritage through design.  The global studio is organized by CPDI Africa - the Community Planning and Design Initiative, Africa. Our Global Studio Faculty are leading professors and architects, renowned for their pedagogy in teaching African centered architecture.  Tenured at distinguished universities around the globe, our professors understand architecture is not separate from the lexicon of creative arts, but an integral part of the full human experience. CPDI Africa faculty is interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and represent a diversity of world cultures, languages and heritage. The CPDI Afr...

The Hausa Resort and Cultural Center aims to capture the essence of Hausa culture at a glance given the visitor an immersive experience at one location. Drawing inspiration from the layout of a typical Hausa city, and more specifically inspired by the Emir’s Palace in Kano, the resort has been laid out as a mini gated city that captures various activities that highlight Hausa culture and architecture. Play video below to watch the design  Quick Animation. Conceptual Statement The Gidan Hausa Resort and Cultural Center is designed to give the visitor an experience of Hausa culture from the large scale i.e. the city with its robust activities to the small scale of the home with its intimacy and privacy. Play video below to watch the full design Presentation. 15 elements of Hausa architecture incorporated into the design of the resort Illustration of the main entrance  Illustration of a villa entrance View from within a courtyard in a private villa Read also some of Hauwa res...

Ti-Kay Resort is a tropical ambiance located in Labadee, Haiti on the bank of the northern coast. Ti-Kay Resort is designed with an array of openings for sunlight, surrounding vegetation, and wooden materials throughout, creating a sustainable experience for the guests. The Lobby space is used to educate guests on the concept of the resort. Additionally, there is a gift shop, bookstore, and a restaurant/bar on the ground level catering to the guests and residents. On the second floor, we have conferences and guest rooms with balconies facing the ocean. The master bedroom and gallery space are on the last floor with beautiful views and art all around.  Play video below to watch the design Quick Animation. Conceptual Statement: Neg Mawon by Albert Mangonès Neg Mawon stands strong and unafraid, as he blows the conch shell to alert the slaves that the enemies are approaching. The focus point was the connection of his mouth to the conch shell and the sound that it creates. The secondary...

The language of our Continent is Beautiful and Spiritual. Africa is connected to the realm of Her Ancestors, for the cycle of Life is never broken in the Motherland! On the way to Mastering the architectural language of his culture, the IGBO of Nigeria, Ikechukwu Godspower, better known as 'Zhinche' unearthed the building blocks upon which technology, aesthetics, spirituality, materials and design philosophies were transferred into architecture and community building of the Igbo Nation. His goal was to specialize in speaking the architectural language of his Culture, a skill he intends to Master in his professional journey to becoming a Master in Igbo Modern Vernacular Architecture. Play video below to watch the design Quick Animation. Nnukwu Nmanwu was targeted at restoring the traditions of igboland gradually fading away. The mmanwu were effective in keeping/restoring traditional norms and values in the communities. They are performed only by males in exclusive secret societi...

Ilé ọrọ ̀ is a Yoruba translation for “house of wealth” and in other translations “house of riches”. Every time culture is a subject of discussion, we all try to express how rich our individual culture is. The truth is words alone cant express how rich any culture is. Adelaja Fawaz is an African (Yoruba) architectural designer, he preferred to express the riches of his yoruba culture in this design with a statement noticeable from miles away. One that speaks the native language… a cultural landmark that beats the test of time. The ilé ọrọ ̀ resort. Play video below to watch the design Quick Animation. The resort concept is from a cowrie shell and Yoruba divination tray. Cowries were used as currency for centuries in west Africa, it is viewed as a symbol of wealth and well being and are commonly used in jewelry and other decorative pieces. They are also used during divination by casting them down on a divination tray to reach out to the  ancestors. Doing this in this design, Fawaz...