About us

ArchiAfrika
ArchiAfrika has as its aim to put (modern) African architectural culture on the world map. It offers a platform for the exchange of news and expertise in this field. ArchiAfrika initiates and facilitates research and projects on the terrain of African architecture and architecture in Africa.

On a worldwide scale there is a growing interest for the non-western approach to modern architecture. An intensive dialogue is starting up between Asian, South-American and Western parties, in which the important voice of Africa often still is lacking.

For this reason ArchiAfrika aims its focus, which is based on dialogue, on Africa. It is targeted on the unlocking and scientific study of African architecture. This can probably contribute to help solve some of the contemporary worldwide architectonic issues on for example sustainability and cultural identity. In this way, ArchiAfrika aims to contribute to the achievement of the seventh millennium goal: ensure environmental sustainability and achieving significant improvement in lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers, by 2020. Also, together with its African partner organizations ArchiAfrika works on the awareness of the value of the (modern) African heritage and its architectural identity.

ArchiAfrika is offering one of the first exchange platforms in the world engaged in a professional way with contemporary African architecture and can be considered the most lively and successful. ArchiAfrika fits well into this progressive cultural climate, and with its independent and open position proves to operate successfully in bringing to attention African architecture. Also, it can break through the existing barrier between English and French speaking countries in Africa.

Core Activities
The core activities of ArchiAfrika lie in the intercultural approach of contemporary architecture and urban development. At this point in time and in the near future, Africa is going through a stepped up economic development which becomes most obvious in the acceleration of urbanization, which results in feverish demolishing and building activities. This creates a climate with tremendous possibilities for a generation of innovating architects and artists. With this in mind, attention is drawn to the reflection on subjects such as the identity of African architecture, decent housing in the African cities which are bursting apart at the seams, and fitting in the (modern) heritage in these developments.

The development in Africa sketched above happen in the area of tension between a hope for the future based on optimism and modernisation, and a daily reality of great poverty and suffering. Up till now, it has been this dark side which has been discussed most in the media, and we see it as one of our tasks to bring this unmistakeable positive side into the limelight. In our view, it is this positive African approach to contemporary architectural issues on this continent and in the Diaspora which contributes to the reconsideration and innovation of issues in the African and Dutch context.

In order to realize its aims the following core tasks have been defined for ArchiAfrika:

a) ArchiAfrika acts as a platform for the exchange of news and expertise

• The ArchiAfrika website and other media offer news
• The ArchiAfrika digital browser offers knowledge and expertise
• ArchiAfrika (co)organizes conferences and workshops in which expertise is exchanged and explored.

b) ArchiAfrika initiates, facilitates and participates in projects which fall within the focus
and themes as stated in the policy plan

The Board of ArchiAfrika is formed by:
Joe Osae-Addo
Abdelmoumen Benabdeljalil
Ola Uduku
Karel Bakker
Wim Wienk - Treasurer
Berend van der Lans - Secretary of the Board

The Advisory Council is formed by:
Hilde Heynen
Wytze Patijn
Nnamdi Elleh
Iain Low

The International Secretariat of ArchiAfrika is facilitated by African Architecture Matters (co-founders of ArchiAfrika):
Antoni Folkers
Berend van der Lans

Please find ArchiAfrika's Policy Plan 2009 - 2012 & Annual Report 2007 below