Africa's avant-garde architecture: A symbol of independence
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.
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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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."
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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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.
"Côte d'Ivoire, neighbor to Ghana was emphasizing commercial buildings, offices, and housing projects," notes Herz.
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Photos: How modernist style revolutionized Africa's architecture
Hotel Ivoire (Abidjan, Ivory Coast) – The Hotel Ivoire was built in three stages between 1961 and 1970 at the behest of President Felix Houphouet-Boigny. Herz sees the building as "the alter-ego of the country."
Built to attract rich businessmen and well-heeled tourists, when the country experienced political upheaval in the late 1990s, it became a headquarters for the militia. In 2004, following mounting tensions with France, the hotel was the location where a disputed number of Ivorians were shot by the French army.
Built to attract rich businessmen and well-heeled tourists, when the country experienced political upheaval in the late 1990s, it became a headquarters for the militia. In 2004, following mounting tensions with France, the hotel was the location where a disputed number of Ivorians were shot by the French army.
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