CPDI AFRICA BLOG

Emathafeni African Cultural Villa is a resort situated in the southern region of Africa being south Africa, east cape province. it is located on the rural region of Matatlele. It is cultivated with representing the Xhosa culture and celebrates ubuntu. The African cultural resort has a cultural center that showcases the Xhosa tradition and culture to visitors. the accommodation is ideal for couples, groups and family that wants to explore the cultural architecture being expressed in different elements. Play video below to watch the design Quick Animation. CONCEPTUAL STATEMENT: The architecture of EMATHAFENI (On the Plains) Xhosa Villa Resort & Cultural center is to reflect the unfolding journey of a Xhosa women - from being a girl to a women yet incorporating it the process of clay pot making.  Women are the craft makers for clay pots; which traditionally are symbolic elements for the use of storing water, drinking umqhombothi (traditional beer) for traditional ceremonies. In mo...

What 5 modern elements can we propose for creating a   recognizable modern Language for Xhosa (Nguni) Architecture? + Aesthetic + Culture + Spiritual + Material + Sustainable Inspired Elements

Image:tony gum (https://www.instagram.com/tony_gum/) The  Xhosa,  also often called the “Red Blanket People”,   are of Nguni stock, like the Zulu. The name  Xhosa  is a generalised term for a diversity of proud clans, the  Pondo ,  Bomvana , Thembu and the  Xhosa  tribe itself. Red and the orange of ochre were the traditional colours of the  Xhosa,  Tembu and  Bomvana  (“the red ones”). There are approximately 8 million Xhosa people in South Africa, and the Xhosa language is the countries second most-populous language in the country, after Zulu. 

Hi Everyone! I am Nomvuzo Gingcana and I am excited to share with you a bit about myself and experience during my internship at CPDI AFRICA! I’m a South African architectural designer based in South Africa. I attended Nelson Mandela University (former NMMU) to major in Architectural Technology. I then furthered my studies at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to major in Architectural Management which allowed me attain factors that create an impact in relation to architecture.    Architecture is all around us; us meaning people. I am a social person and have love for beautiful things which architecture creates. And that is why I Love it! I find it intriguing as a creative tool that can bring solutions to human usability of spaces.    My involvement with CPDI Africa was focused on Xhosa Architecture by designing a cultural resort. Named Emathafeni (On the Plains) African cultural resort – which will be shared with you soon.    Being part of CPDI Africa, the...

- ARCHITECTURE - COMMUNITY - IDENTITY    How rituals help us to change our perceptions The notion of place has an influence on how we perceive self and environment, check out Dr. Sechaba Maape exploration on how he relates it to architecture and ways that rituals can be perceived. - Nomvuzo Gingcana Dr. Sechaba Maape School of Architecture and Planning Wits University Johannesburg, South Africa https://placemakingritualsblog.wordpress.com/2017/05/21/why-we-need-more-black-architects/