Joe Osae-Addo was born in Ghana, West Africa, and trained at the Architectural Association in London. He worked in Finland, the UK and the USA, setting up his practice in Los Angeles in 1991. His work has been influenced by ‘genus-loci’, and how architecture can/ should respond to this in creating pieces which are both site specific and meet the needs of people who will interact with it. He is a founding partner in the A + D Museum, Los Angeles, whose mission is to advance knowledge and to enable people to appreciate and understand architecture and design. He moved back to his native country Ghana in 2004 and is currently the CEO of Constructs LLC, an inno-native design firm based in Accra and Tamale in Ghana, West Africa.
Joe Osae-Addo was born in Ghana, West Africa, and trained at the Architectural Association in London. He worked in Finland, the UK and the USA, setting up his practice in Los Angeles in 1991. His work has been influenced by ‘genus-loci’, and how architecture can/ should respond to this in creating pieces which are both site specific and meet the needs of people who will interact with it. He is a founding partner in the A + D Museum, Los Angeles, whose mission is to advance knowledge and to enable people to appreciate and understand architecture and design. He moved back to his native country Ghana in 2004 and is currently the CEO of Constructs LLC, an inno-native design firm based in Accra and Tamale in Ghana, West Africa.
CONSTRUCTS LLC’S PROFILE
Constructs llc, is a full service Design and Development Firm specializing in ‘inno-native’ solutions to socio-architecture Design and Construction. The role and interest of the Firm has been influenced by various investigations of ‘genus-loci’ and how architecture and design can/ should respond to this in developing and building Projects that are both Site specific and meet the needs of people who will inhabit or interact with it. We are engaged in the discourse of what is important to communities and how site, climate, materials and their weathering with a design-led approach will shape these Projects.
Our design approach is not a re-hash of imported unsustainable solutions, which is often the norm, but rather a contextual response of a blend of the vernacular matched with contemporary architecture and planning principles. This is what we term ‘inno-native’ approach.
Constructs llc is dedicated to fostering collaborations with creative Professionals in developing sustainable solutions to Affordable Housing, Community/ Neighborhoods Planning, Educational Infrastructure prototypes, alternative Construction Materials and Product Design amongst others.
OUR TEAM HAS DEMONSTRATED EXPERIENCE IN:
• Serving governmental agencies as Master Consultant
• Architecture, Urban Design, Planning and Landscape Architecture
• Local experience in targeted zones/areas
• Proven ability to respond to tight time frames
• Demonstrated experience meeting budgets for municipalities and governmental agencies
• Highly qualified individuals committed to excellence
WE HAVE ASSEMBLED AN OUTSTANDING TEAM
1. Mr. Joe Osae-Addo (CEO)
2. Miss Josephine Dadzie
3. Mr. Sedem Gassonu
4. Mr. Brandon Rogers
5. Mr. Charles Ayamkah
6. Miss Brandie Lockett
Constructs llc has developed Urban Planning and improvement projects in collaboration with the Kumasi Metropolitan Authority, the Accra Metropolitan Authority and ACP Estates amongst others.
Urban Initiative Manifesto
Over the past few decades, many of our urban areas have suffered neglect and decline with an exodus from inner cities driven by a lack of confidence in Schools, fear of crime, an unhealthy environment, and poor housing. One of the key political challenges of the New Century is to make our towns and cities not just fit to live in, but thriving centers of human activities. It is by relating in a thoughtful and efficient manner the well-being of cities to that of the countryside, or by understanding human space as a network of centers of different size and density, that we will approach the goal of finding fitting solutions to real problems. The renaissance of cities such as Barcelona has been achieved through a philosophy of quality first and then quantity.
At the heart of this renaissance has been the incredible alliance between City Hall and the Architectural profession and School. Their success is being studied throughout the world and sets a new standard in the re-development of urban areas. This discourse is equally important to our City, bringing together concerned citizens, public officials, developers, urban planners and architects and is crucial in attaining a design-led approach.
Landscape Architecture
The challenge for landscape architects is to find a way to maintain our relationship with nature and open space. It is imperative to understand the design process required to create places which acknowledge the human need for a variety of experiences, from intimate garden settings to regional open space systems.
Constructs’ approach to the design of these environments is a comprehensive problem solving process which fulfills our desire to create memorable experiences for the user in the context of the physical requirements of the site as well as taking into consideration our clients’ program needs and financial parameters. Our landscape architectural experience includes the design of mixed-use developments, hotel, office, retail developments, regional parks, streetscape improvements and institutional facilities.
Urban Design
Urban design is the art of designing cities. It is a process concerned with improving the quality and visual images of downtowns, re-development area, neighborhoods, open spaces, and cities. The process is complex. It brings together in a cooperative effort many diverse disciplines, not only design professionals but also specialists in economics, engineering, traffic and transportation, as well as residents, members of the business and financial community and city officials. It is the responsibility of the urban designer to develop a sense of place which has the quality, livability and the excitement a thriving city should offer. Constructs has successfully completed numerous urban designs covering a range of complexities. The urban design plan is an overall master plan which develops an urban framework and design guidelines for future improvements to insure continuity and proper execution of the plan. In order to realize a special image for a particular area or city, the master plan is created. The overall master plan and guidelines also insure continuity of execution which extends over time and transcends personnel changes.
Planning
The future of our clients relies on the planning decisions we make today. Allocation of land uses and resources define and delineate the quality of life for future generations. The task of planners of Constructs is to provide sound planning based upon the wise use of land and resource capacities, environmental compatibility, community values, client objectives, and fiscal responsibility. The comprehensive planning approach to the formulation and facilitation of master plans, city general plans, specific plans, re-development plans, and revitalization plans will enable our private and public sector clients to provide an excellent quality of life for future generations.
SPECIAL IN-HOUSE RESOURCES
Visual Simulation
Constructs has the full capability of producing computer generated visual simulations of design proposals. Photo imaging using the Photoshop and JPEG software programs enable us to produce hard copy plots as well as 35mm slides.
Community Participation & Outreach
Constructs llc has extensive experience in community outreach. The firm has developed various techniques for reaching consensus through workshops, surveys and interviews.
Equipment and Facilities
The office is equipped with CADD drafting stations, SONY, KOMODO, SAMSUNG and DELL personal computers, portable computer notebooks, modems, color hp, Canon and EPSON printers and scanners, high capacity copier, architectural plotter, fax machine and other equipment to fully complete work statements identified.
Internet / E-mail Capability
Constructs has internet and e-mail capability. We can transfer and receive CADD drawing files, reports and cost estimates to our sub-consultants and clients.
Construction Observation Services
The company has the personnel to provide construction observation services for projects. A summary of our services are described as follows:
Perform site visits during construction to observe the progress of the work in regard to conformance to the intent of the plans and specifications, answer contractor’s questions, and hold a final walk-through prior to the Contractor being relieved of his responsibility for the project. Write and file field observation reports, correspondence, and punch lists as appropriate.
Review contractor’s material submittals, shop drawings, and proposed substitutions for conformance to the plans and specifications, and recommend changes and/or re-submittal of any items to which exception is taken.
Be available for consultation and assistance during construction to answer questions, recommend substitutions, provide written descriptions and/or sketches and cost estimates for change orders if necessary.
Constructs llc is currently working on several Projects as both developer and architects in collaboration with Kanner Architects in Los Angeles. The aim is to develop an Accra – Los Angeles axis with a primary focus of Projects based in Ghana. This relationship was borne out of many years of collaboration between Joe and Stephen Kanner, Los Angeles.
Joe Addo Studio, based in Los-Angeles has become Constructs llc. (See www.constructsllc.com) based in Accra and Tamele, Ghana.
