Overview

This is one of the most original, ambitious and important architectural publications of our time, now available to everyone wishing to gain an understanding of a unique architectural heritage overlooked for too long. The African continent contains some of the world's most vibrant culture and creativity, and yet its buildings - vernacular, colonial or contemporary - have rarely engaged the interest of Western architects. David Adjaye, the first black architect to establish a truly global reputation in his field, has found endless sources of inspiration for his designs in the rich - and chequered - heritage of Africa's teeming metropolises. His life dream was to return to the continent as an architect to document Africa's built environment. Over a long decade, he tirelessly documented these dynamic, colourful cities, photographing thousands of buildings, sites and places, and letting each building speak for itself, in telling contrast to a design world obsessed with photorealistic slickness. The result was a stunning seven-volume work that has become an essential resource for all those interested in the burgeoning continent. This new compact edition will make the fruits of this once-in-a-generation record available to a much wider audience.

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9780500343166

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Reviews

'An arresting visual introduction to cities across the continent, a learned journey into the vibrant beating heart of contemporary African life' - Guardian 'A unique record of a continent in which compelling architecture is appearing in extraordinary circumstances' - Financial Times

This mix of travelogue and architectural study tracks eminent architect Adjaye's journeys to 53 African cities in an effort to document the continent's built environment. The volume features plenty of photography and numerous interesting structures, such as the expressive water towers of Bamako and the modernist villas of Nouakchott, bur Adjaye's aim is to capture the overall built traits of a place.

Author Information

Sir David Adjaye has offices in London, New York and Berlin. With his London practice, he has built a stunning array of houses, and his public buildings - including a médiathèque in London, a contemporary art museum in Denver, and the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo - have brought him international critical acclaim. Peter Allison is professor of architecture at South Bank University. He is the author of several books published by Thames & Hudson.

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