Africa's avant-garde architecture: A symbol of independence

By Nosmot Gbadamosi, CNN

Updated 1406 GMT (2206 HKT) April 18, 2017

Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Zambia, Ghana and Kenya are the five countries showcased in a curated exhibition of more than 80 buildings from Africa following Independence from colonial rule. <br /><br />In Senegal, the country's first president, Leopold Sedar Senghor put a large emphasis on the arts. The Foire Internationale de Dakar, or FIDAK, for instance, came about during this period. It was all about forming new political relationships believes curator Manuel Herz.<br />"They were looking to bring the world to Africa," he told CNN.<br /><br />
Photos: How modernist style revolutionized Africa's architecture
FIDAK (Dakar, Senegal) – Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Zambia, Ghana and Kenya are the five countries showcased in a curated exhibition of more than 80 buildings from Africa following Independence from colonial rule.

In Senegal, the country's first president, Leopold Sedar Senghor put a large emphasis on the arts. The Foire Internationale de Dakar, or FIDAK, for instance, came about during this period. It was all about forming new political relationships believes curator Manuel Herz.
"They were looking to bring the world to Africa," he told CNN.

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Its newly elected leaders wanted to assert their new-found freedom and national identity by deploying modernist styles commissioned from local architects but also old colonial ties. Others with more socialist ambitions turned to Eastern European architects from the likes of Yugoslavia and Hungary. Israel and the US were also sources for new thinking. <br /><br />The curator believes local architects were so few in the commissions due to the capabilities. "There was no possibility of studying architecture in Sub-Saharan Africa in the late 1950s and early 60s with the exception of apartheid South Africa, which was off limits."
Photos: How modernist style revolutionized Africa's architecture
Hotel Independence (Dakar, Senegal) – Its newly elected leaders wanted to assert their new-found freedom and national identity by deploying modernist styles commissioned from local architects but also old colonial ties. Others with more socialist ambitions turned to Eastern European architects from the likes of Yugoslavia and Hungary. Israel and the US were also sources for new thinking.

The curator believes local architects were so few in the commissions due to the capabilities. "There was no possibility of studying architecture in Sub-Saharan Africa in the late 1950s and early 60s with the exception of apartheid South Africa, which was off limits."
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But despite international designs, climate and resources meant buildings invariably ended up being shaped by local aesthetics. Designed by Italian architect Rinaldo Olivier, La Pyramide was celebrated as one of the Ivory Coast's most impressive structures at the time of its completion.<br />"Côte d'Ivoire, neighbor to Ghana was emphasizing commercial buildings, offices, and housing projects," notes Herz.<br />
Photos: How modernist style revolutionized Africa's architecture
La Pyramide (Abidjan, Ivory Coast) – But despite international designs, climate and resources meant buildings invariably ended up being shaped by local aesthetics. Designed by Italian architect Rinaldo Olivier, La Pyramide was celebrated as one of the Ivory Coast's most impressive structures at the time of its completion.
"Côte d'Ivoire, neighbor to Ghana was emphasizing commercial buildings, offices, and housing projects," notes Herz.
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