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Hybrid Forms in
the Built Environment: A Case Study of African Cities
Abimbola O. Asojo, Department of Interior
Design, University of Oklahoma
Mazuri (1986) notes African culture
is deeply rooted in the triple heritage. The environment in Africa
is a product of the Triple heritage: the indigenous, western, and Islamic
influences. Likewise, Elleh 1997 notes this triple heritage can be
observed in the architecture of most African cities. These factors
combine to form cities different from any other part of the world.
Traditional African architecture varies from simple rectangular dwellings
in clay to round houses, tents, sophisticated tombs, obelisks, palaces,
pyramids, and monumental structures built by peoples of varying cultures
all over Africa. Western influences began with the Greeks in 333B.C.
continuing through the settlement of Romans in 146B.C. and Europeans
in mid 14th century. Portuguese built medieval fortress architecture,
the English built gothic, forts, Victorian style, and English cottages.
The Dutch built Victorian style houses, and Brazilian style houses
were built by free men and women returned to Africa after the abolition
of slave trade. International styles buildings were designed by African
who went abroad to study and expatriate architects who practiced in
many African nations after independence from colonial rule. Islamic
influences were more predominant in North Africa because of its strategic
location. Trade contact with people east of the Indian Ocean in China
and Arabia facilitated Islamic influences in this area. The West African
Trans-Saharan trade gave Islam a route to West Africa.
Today, the architecture of African cities is dominated by expatriate
architects, foreign trained African architects, and since the 60’s
African trained architects. International style buildings designed
by various expatriate architects like Maxwell Fry, Godwin Hopewood,
and Ove Arup dominate the skyline of major cities. Most of these designs
are a tropical version of the International style. The buildings are
predominantly white with the main structural frame constructed from
reinforced concrete. Emphasis is on continuous fenestration, sun shading
devices, and courtyards to allow cross ventilation. Most government
offices, university campuses, and government residential areas are
littered with these buildings which have deteriorated through the years
due to the economic crises plaguing third world countries. More recently,
Nigerian architects are striving to recapture elements from traditional
African architecture lost since colonial rule. Contemporary architects
like Demas Nwoko integrate concepts from traditional African forms,
art, and architecture in the built environment. He emphasizes the use
of natural forms and sustainable materials. The resulting post-colonial
architecture is an amalgamation of keys influences termed the triple
heritage by Elleh and Mazuri (1997, 1986).
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