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...

To better understand the architectural practices of traditional African communities, our intern, Mary-Margaret Ben-Chioma, researched some of the customary land practices of traditional Nigerian communities. By understanding the relationship these people formed with the land, we at CPDI Africa believe we can understand the inspiration behind their architectural designs. We have prepared an explanation video for Mary’s findings below.

  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...

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...

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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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...

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...

A Resort is defined as a place that is frequented for holidays or recreation or for a particular purpose. A cultural center or cultural center is an organization, building or complex that promotes culture and arts. Cultural centers can be neighborhood community arts organizations, private facilities, government-sponsored, or activist-run.  Igbo culture is a rich sub-Saharan way of life peculiar to this tribe. This Resort is an Architectural translation of this way of life, to promote and immortalize it, cutting through every aspect of their ways of life. Play video below to watch the design Quick Animation. Ventilation and Lighting are responsible for Thermal/Visual Comfort in Hot Tropic Zones (usually ridden by high temperatures coupled with high humidity). Having a fantastic Air flow and movement is then as key as choosing a sustainable green material that will improve thermal comfort fit for our climate. Unity  is more represented on the  Circle  better than any...