CPDI AFRICA BLOG

 Documentary film on the 10th anniversary. CPDI AFRICA: PEDAGOGY OF AFROCENTRIC ARCHITECTURE. This documentary film chronicles the rise of the Community Planning and Design Initiative Africa, CPDI Africa, in its journey to establishing contemporary African design languages in the lexicon of global architecture practice. Narrated by Nmadili Okwumabua, creative director and founder of CPDI Africa, the film celebrates the launch and success of the bi-annual Afrocentric design competitions and the curated international Art of African Architecture exhibitions. Further showcasing of the premier academy, CPDI Africa Global Studio for African-Centered Architecture is highlighted, concluding with the Center for Afrocentric Design Advancement research hub opening at the University of Science and Technology University in Abuja Nigeria. The film highlights the theoretical frameworks and built projects of architects Demas Nwoko and David Hughes, who inspired Okwumabuas’ pedagogy on the five ele...

Nation 'Building' is the PASSION work of Designers, Planners, and Artists alike! Our work at CPDI AFRICA Global Studio for African-Centered Architecture is to inspire Visionary Master Planners and Nation Builders! EXPO 2024 @ CPDI AFRICA OPENS🌍 AFROCENTRIC PEDAGOGY, COURSES & WORKSHOPS 🌎 RESOURCE CENTER FOR GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS, AFROCENTRIC BOOKS & FILMS 🌎 ARCHITECTURE COMPETITIONS & EXHIBITIONS 🌎 AFRICAN & DIASPORA DESIGN PROJECTS 🌎  DOCUMENTARY REVIEWS, BOOK READINGS 🌎 INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS 🌎 EXCURSIONS & FIELD TRIPS 🌎      AFROCENTRIC MERCHANDISE!🌎 ******** ******* ******* ******** ********* ******** ********* ******** ********* ******** Follow this Space, Light up your Calendars - it's  Afrofuturism in Architecture & Beyond 2024! #Afrocentric #Afrofuturism #Architecture #AfricanDiaspora

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...

Introduction: Have you ever imagined what the architecture of Africa would look like today, if the great civilizations of Egypt, Timbuktu, Mali, the Dogon, Zulu, Yoruba, and thousands of other African empires had continued to develop and evolve in their own unique identity? Imagine the transformation of the African landscape into sprawling metropolises filled with architectural masterpieces celebrating new interpretations of traditional design elements, portrayed with all the comfort of modern innovations and technique. The Community Planning & Design Initiative Africa (CPDI Africa) 2021 culture-inspired, research-based design competition aims to promote the development of new architectural languages for the African Diaspora that are culturally and environmentally sustainable. What Africa would you build if given the opportunity to develop African skylines in her own image? Eligibility: The CPDI Africa 2021 competition is open to both students and practitioners of architecture and ...

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...

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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...

So much research has gone into the connection between mental and physical health in relation to greenery within the built environment. Experiencing nature through its green outdoor spaces has been linked to reduced heart and respiratory diseases, higher happiness levels and stronger societal bonds. However, living in urban areas nowadays limits the number of green spaces one can have physical or even visual access to. Our living conditions have turned inwards, such that most of our activities are carried out indoors, with little regard to the outdoors. To this end, the large windows we typically find in contemporary buildings are not only for daylighting and ventilation, but also for maintaining a visual connection to the outdoors. However, the positive benefits to be gained from looking outside through a window depend on the nature of the built environment and whether the outdoors are worth gazing at. Most traditional African homes had one vestibule entrance and tiny openings as windo...

CPDI Africa Global Studio, the Premiere Academy for Teaching a New Pedagogy in African Centered Architecture. Virtual certificate programs. Culturally diverse curriculum. Distinguished professors. Study abroad in Africa. Scholarship programs. Available now: courses in History & Critical Theory, Design Studio, CAD, BIM, Sustainable Design and Design-Build practicals during our summer Study Abroad sessions in Africa. To learn more visit us online, and do inquire about our Scholarship Programs.  CpdiAfrica.Org Global Studio for African Centered Architecture: A CPDI AFRICA INITIATIVE. #AfricanHeritageArchitecture #CPDIAfrica #AfricanArchitecture #CulturalArchitecture #Architecture

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...