Experience Contemporary African Architecture Beyond Stereotypes

Africa is a diverse continent with different contexts that go beyond the stereotypes imagined and propagated by those who do not know it. These stereotypes also cover the architectural field. African architecture is always remembered for its beautiful vernacular projects or works by Keré, but other languages developed by architects on the continent are almost forgotten. 

For this reason, in order to increase the panorama of contemporary architecture built in Africa, we have gathered here a selection of buildings that have been realized in fourteen different countries. Be inspired by the eighteen selected projects below. 

Bosjes Chapel / Steyn Studio (South Africa)

© Adam Letch

Freedom Park, Phase 2 / GAPP + Mashabane Rose Architects + MMA (South Africa)

© Simon Bird

Beachyhead / SAOTA (South Africa)

© Adam Letch

Kirstenbosch Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway / Mark Thomas Architects (South Africa)

© Adam Harrower

Currency Museum / Costa Lopes (Angola)

© Fabrice Fouillet

DYEJI / Costa Lopes (Angola)

© Fabrice Fouillet

Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge / Nicholas Plewman Architects in Association with Michaelis Boyd Associates (Botswana)

© Dook

House in Estoril Beach / José Adrião Arquitectos (Cape Verde)

© Nuno Almendra

Bambou Pavillion / Koffi & Diabaté Architectes (Ivory Coast)

© François-Xavier Gbré

Lideta Market / Vilalta Arquitectura (Ethiopia)

© Gonzalo Guajardo

One Airport Square / Mario Cucinella Architects (Ghana)

© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

Z Village/ Mohamed Amine Siana (Marocco)

© Doublespace Photography

Netherlands Embassy / Claus en Kaan Architecten (Mozambique)

© Christian Richters

10 Ossmann Street / Wasserfall Munting Architects (Namibia)

© Studio One & Markus Weiss

Sacred Heart Cathedral of Kericho / John McAslan + Partners (Kenya)

© Edmund Sumner

New Artist Residency In Senegal / Toshiko Mori (Senegal)

© Iwan Baan

The Manta Underwater Room / Genberg Underwater Hotels (Tanzania)

© Jesper Anhede

Chipakata Children’s Academy / Susan Rodriguez + Frank Lupo + Randy Antonia Lott (Zambia)

Architects Image Courtesy