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Collection by Aileen Kwun
Editor’s Pick

David Adjaye's African Architecture Photo Survey

Take a sneak peek at architect David Adjaye's photo travelogue, forthcoming in a new compact edition of "Adjaye: Africa: Architecture," an original seven-volume, visual study of 54 African cities. Compiled between 2000 and 2010, the resulting work is a culmination of Adjaye's lifelong dream to travel through Africa and document the continent's built environment. Here, we excerpt the architect's notes, alongside a few images from the new edition, coming out in Sept. 2016 with Thames & Hudson. All photos by David Adjaye, © 2011 and 2016 Adjaye Associates.

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"This is a mix of colonial French structures, such as the hôtel de ville with its ornate baroque details, through to some fine art deco and modernist set pieces," says Adjaye of this commercial building in Bangui, Central African Republic. "The parliament building and courts of justice are fine examples of regional modernism."
"This is a mix of colonial French structures, such as the hôtel de ville with its ornate baroque details, through to some fine art deco and modernist set pieces," says Adjaye of this commercial building in Bangui, Central African Republic. "The parliament building and courts of justice are fine examples of regional modernism."
"Activity lines the main boulevards, and there are many cafes, bars and restaurants," notes Adjaye of Asmara, Eritrea. "The main market occupies several urban blocks and informal trading is widespread. Most of the Italian buildings are still in use, but not the Fiat garage."
"Activity lines the main boulevards, and there are many cafes, bars and restaurants," notes Adjaye of Asmara, Eritrea. "The main market occupies several urban blocks and informal trading is widespread. Most of the Italian buildings are still in use, but not the Fiat garage."
In Lomé, Togo, Adjaye observes, "In colonial times, this was a waterfront city whose institutions were located on the coast road. Since independence, the center has moved in land and the public buildings are international style, with francophone flavor, and stand in manicured landscapes."
In Lomé, Togo, Adjaye observes, "In colonial times, this was a waterfront city whose institutions were located on the coast road. Since independence, the center has moved in land and the public buildings are international style, with francophone flavor, and stand in manicured landscapes."
"The optimism of the first African country to gain independence is celebrated in a series of distinguished public buildings," Adjaye notes of this civic structure in Accra, Ghana. "The recently completed assembly building is in the form of an Ashanti stool, making a link to the chieftaincy culture that still dominates the country."
"The optimism of the first African country to gain independence is celebrated in a series of distinguished public buildings," Adjaye notes of this civic structure in Accra, Ghana. "The recently completed assembly building is in the form of an Ashanti stool, making a link to the chieftaincy culture that still dominates the country."
"Historic settlements include an area of colonial villas built on small lots, and an early garden suburb where the planting is now mature," says Adjaye of this residence in Accra, Ghana. "Recent suburbs are more commercial in character, and areas of informal housing are hound on the edges of the city and on the coast."
"Historic settlements include an area of colonial villas built on small lots, and an early garden suburb where the planting is now mature," says Adjaye of this residence in Accra, Ghana. "Recent suburbs are more commercial in character, and areas of informal housing are hound on the edges of the city and on the coast."
Visiting Abuja, Nigeria, Adjaye notes: "The architecture of the public buildings is intended to present Abuja as the country’s symbolic Center of power. Key government buildings, the cathedral and the main mosque occupy conspicuous sites in the center of the city."
Visiting Abuja, Nigeria, Adjaye notes: "The architecture of the public buildings is intended to present Abuja as the country’s symbolic Center of power. Key government buildings, the cathedral and the main mosque occupy conspicuous sites in the center of the city."
This is a civic structure in Gaborone, Botswana. "Gaborone was planned as a new city in the 1960s," says Adjaye. "Modernism is the defining style of the public buildings, as demonstrated by the elegant vaulted architecture of the parliament building."
This is a civic structure in Gaborone, Botswana. "Gaborone was planned as a new city in the 1960s," says Adjaye. "Modernism is the defining style of the public buildings, as demonstrated by the elegant vaulted architecture of the parliament building."
"Pretoria has an intensely gridded center with several squares that are overlooked by classical-style public buildings. The parliament buildings and university occupy prominent sites on the sides of the valley overlooking the center," observes Adjaye, overlooking the cityscape of Pretoria, South Africa.
"Pretoria has an intensely gridded center with several squares that are overlooked by classical-style public buildings. The parliament buildings and university occupy prominent sites on the sides of the valley overlooking the center," observes Adjaye, overlooking the cityscape of Pretoria, South Africa.
Adjaye snapped this residential block in Nouakchott, Mauritania. "Wealthy housing is of the compound and villa type, with Arabic decoration," he says. "Apartment buildings are normally three or four stories high, and more of them are being built. Low-cost housing is state built and organized in quarters."
Adjaye snapped this residential block in Nouakchott, Mauritania. "Wealthy housing is of the compound and villa type, with Arabic decoration," he says. "Apartment buildings are normally three or four stories high, and more of them are being built. Low-cost housing is state built and organized in quarters."
Adjaye on this civic structure in Cairo, Egypt: "The old city, with its ramparts, narrow lanes and Moorish architecture, has a particularly intimate character. Recent public buildings are postmodern in style, with Arabic motifs. Many public buildings from the colonial period have been converted to cultural uses, such as the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities."
Adjaye on this civic structure in Cairo, Egypt: "The old city, with its ramparts, narrow lanes and Moorish architecture, has a particularly intimate character. Recent public buildings are postmodern in style, with Arabic motifs. Many public buildings from the colonial period have been converted to cultural uses, such as the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities."
"The banks and large businesses have built the only high-rise buildings in the city, which combine African and futurist motifs," Adjaye notes of this commercial complex in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. "Since most of the public and commercial buildings are constructed in concrete, the architecture has a handmade quality."
"The banks and large businesses have built the only high-rise buildings in the city, which combine African and futurist motifs," Adjaye notes of this commercial complex in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. "Since most of the public and commercial buildings are constructed in concrete, the architecture has a handmade quality."
"Although single-family houses can be found in the suburbs, and occasionally in the old city, most of the population live in apartment buildings," Adjaye notes of residential design in Cairo, Egypt. "Clusters of such buildings, reached off narrow lanes, support tight urban communities."
"Although single-family houses can be found in the suburbs, and occasionally in the old city, most of the population live in apartment buildings," Adjaye notes of residential design in Cairo, Egypt. "Clusters of such buildings, reached off narrow lanes, support tight urban communities."
"French influence is still noticeable in the elaborate gardens of the more affluent areas," notes Adjaye of this residence in Bamako, Mali. "The houses in poor areas often include small courtyards and are built of concrete blocks with a mud render."
"French influence is still noticeable in the elaborate gardens of the more affluent areas," notes Adjaye of this residence in Bamako, Mali. "The houses in poor areas often include small courtyards and are built of concrete blocks with a mud render."
"Most houses are of the compound type. In poor areas, the countryside seems to invade the city, creating an in-between place of earth, mud, straw, wood, concrete and render." This commercial storefront was snapped in Niamey, Niger.
"Most houses are of the compound type. In poor areas, the countryside seems to invade the city, creating an in-between place of earth, mud, straw, wood, concrete and render." This commercial storefront was snapped in Niamey, Niger.