African Architecture

colavito\\\'s ghost: 17th Feb 2006 - 16:40 GMT

Are all buildings architecture? I'm not saying they're not, but many of us probably ascribe to the dominant Western idea that architecture is a label only to be ascribed to something "higher" than tiny, makeshift, slanted huts built in the African countryside.

I'm not trying to start a fight, I'm just curious about people's thoughts.

jeeff: 17th Feb 2006 - 16:41 GMT

the last pics are like african igloos. have you ever been inside one?

i also think it's interesting that you captured a great big billboard in the background of pic #2.

jeeff: 17th Feb 2006 - 16:59 GMT

from www.dictionary.com:

ar·chi·tec·ture (ärk-tkchr)
n.

1. The art and science of designing and erecting buildings.
2. Buildings and other large structures: the low, brick-and-adobe architecture of the Southwest.
3. A style and method of design and construction: Byzantine architecture.
4. Orderly arrangement of parts; structure: the architecture of the federal bureaucracy; the architecture of a novel.
5. Computer Science. The overall design or structure of a computer system, including the hardware and the software required to run it, especially the internal structure of the microprocessor.

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how topical that they use the "low, brick-and-adobe buildings of the Southwest" as an example. i consider architecture to mean simply the forms in which we build - functional or aesthetic.

i happen to be taking a class on contemporary architecture right now. i think in the west we look at large, monumental buildings when we study architecture because they define the various architectural styles, which lesser buildings tend to copy (and dilute). then again, residential houses by modern architects like le corbusier, adolf loos, and frank lloyd wright are among their most famous designs. in contrast, some architectural styles are more a product of "the people". like, you wouldn't go searching for a famous architect if you want to study the structure of the mexican barrio.

elaine: 17th Feb 2006 - 17:59 GMT

architects are big on the differentiation 'vulgar' are they not?

Guy McLaren: 19th Feb 2006 - 13:41 GMT

In my world Architecture denotes a building, designed built and implemented. Whether the design is of mental origin or on huge big blue prints, it remains architecture, for Jeeff, I will post some pics of the inside in a bit.

Guy McLaren: 19th Feb 2006 - 13:42 GMT

Colavito, The dominant western idea is a load of crap, Look beyond your tightly focussed and mindless concepts. Even an igloo is architecture.

maggie: 12th Oct 2006 - 16:47 GMT

what is the material used on the huts photographed in the last picture?

Jan-Post: 18th Jan 2007 - 02:51 GMT

Yes, these pictures reflect architect. But take another look. There are three pictures. Out of the three, which one appears to be out of place? The last picture (hunts), stands up start with dignity, pride, its a home with positive beliefs in it’s self, it’s optimistic. The other two don’t reflect the greatness of its ancestors. These people bare blood of king and queens of Africa they deserve the uniqueness of there culture. The Colonization has rob them of there glory.

Halley: 16th Mar 2007 - 08:04 GMT

I enjoyed all your pics on architec, you gave us a broad band of what your people live in thanks, keep up the good work..

Anshai: 17th Feb 2008 - 17:28 GMT

what are some characteristics of African Architecture?

sara: 15th Mar 2008 - 20:31 GMT

can i have some more about the african architecture ? especially the ethnical one...