Luanda | New National Administration and Museum Complex | Complexo Administrativo

[Mwatangua]

Just cant understand some people. they criticise everything. for me the project is great comparing to the old administration the portuguese left behind. Its five stars and thats for sure

[Abidrovia]

The project looks very nice, it is impressive, but doesn't Angola have it's own architectural style that they can base this "Administration and Museum Complex" on? I mean, this is Africa not Europe.

[Matthias Offodile]

Angola is not CAR or some other African bush republic it has countless old buildings and great architecture (many of which get restored), this is also part of their cityscape! so this building will fit in perfectly.

[vcarmona]

I agree totally with Matthias. If you go to city province capitals like Huambo, Benguela, Lubango, Cabinda, Namibe, or even other small cities, you will see that these places have many old building that are being or were restored to its former glory. Angola for sure IS NOT AN AFRICAN BUSH REPUBLIC, although it has some bush politicians.

[Mwatangua]

African arquitecture? do you mean like those huts we use to build before colonisation? coz the construction in africa resembles european cities coz they were the ones who built it. Modernisation is a european concept as far as i knw and if you wanna be developed you have to be modern

[Abidrovia]

Originally Posted by Mwatangua

African arquitecture? do you mean like those huts we use to build before colonisation? coz the construction in africa resembles european cities coz they were the ones who built it. Modernisation is a european concept as far as i knw and if you wanna be developed you have to be modern

I'm just saying that Angola should incorporate some kind of African design elements into some of their government buildings. I'm not jsut saying they should make a huge hut or mud structure, etc.

For example;





They should just incorporate some African influences. For the sake of international individuality.

[Carver02]

Yeah. Some building in Bamako do this very well.

The BCEAO building in Bamako:

[Matthias Offodile]

This IS Angola and not Burkina Faso!

Countries in Africa do differ

[Kwame]

Originally Posted by Mwatangua

African arquitecture? do you mean like those huts we use to build before colonisation? coz the construction in africa resembles european cities coz they were the ones who built it. Modernisation is a european concept as far as i knw and if you wanna be developed you have to be modern

Who is "we"? Limit your self hatred to your own damn country.

While African architecture may be unimpressive to many, I love it. It's unique, colorful, and ever changing. There is a lot of room for new innovation and improvements to African architecture, we just need more Africans like myself who are interested in it. I have big plans for African architecture, just wait.

Some examples of traditional Asante architecture:











¡kycm tete a, cka ne mmeramu!!

[Matthias Offodile]

Yaaaawwwnn,


We are living in 21th century, when we want to be modern, integrate local architecture with modern high—tech design like the “Tapeih 101”: traditional Chinese architecture with modern design!

Those flimsy huts cannot lodge government offices! The whole world would laugh at us!

[Kwame]

Matt, why do you just look at the pictures and ignore the text?

The above is just an example of certain elements of traditional African architecture you can combine with newer modern architecture to create an entire new look. Why are you so quick to belittle African architecture?

[Matthias Offodile]

Kwame, I simply like it big, modern and flashy! Tapeih 101 style

[Matthias Offodile]

Sun city also combines African traditional element but it is a great amsumenet centre: hotelm shopping, fun park! It is known the world over! That´s what I want more in Africa and not only South Africa, as always!

Why does everything modern nad flashy has to be confined to one single country, Kwame? Don´t you understand my frustration!

[Tounsi]

The Asante architecture is incredible We must be preserved & promote our heritage it s just a part of our African identity . I believe we should as Africans find our own path combine modern high tech construction techniques with our unique architectures ...

Thanks Kwame for the info ! Go Africa !

[Tounsi]

Originally Posted by Matthias Offodile

This IS Angola and not Burkina Faso!

Countries in Africa do differ

that s exactly why Angolans should include their traditional architecture in their official buildings it s just common sense to express it s identity as a nation !


Another example : The City Hall of Tunis :

[BUTEMBO21]

Originally Posted by Tounsi

that s exactly why Angolans should include their traditional architecture in their official buildings it s just common sense to express it s identity as a nation !


Another example : The City Hall of Tunis :

This is a beauty. we call this kind in Congo Tradmodern.

[Matthias Offodile]

I agree totally with Matthias. If you go to city province capitals like Huambo, Benguela, Lubango, Cabinda, Namibe, or even other small cities, you will see that these places have many old building that are being or were restored to its former glory. Angola for sure IS NOT AN AFRICAN BUSH REPUBLIC, although it has some bush politicians.

Thanks, man!

[Mwatangua]

KWAME WATCH YOUR FOUL MOUTH OK! WHAT WAS AFRICA BEFORE THE COLONIAL POWERS CAME HERE? WHAT KIND OF BUILDINGS DID WE HAVE? THAT IS WHAT I MEANT OK! WE TALKING ABOUT A GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION DO YOU WANT IT TO BE LIKE THESE HUTS YOU POSTED? AND DO NOT SPEAK BAD BOUT ANGOLA COZ THIS IS ANGOLAN FORUM IF YOU DONT LIKE ANGOLA PLEASE FEEL FREE TO BOUNCE! I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND I KNOW ANGOLA WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD IF WE CONTINUE TO BUILD LIKE WE DOING

[Carver02]

Originally Posted by Matthias Offodile

Sun city also combines African traditional element but it is a great amsumenet centre: hotelm shopping, fun park! It is known the world over! That´s what I want more in Africa and not only South Africa, as always!

Why does everything modern nad flashy has to be confined to one single country, Kwame? Don´t you understand my frustration!

Originally Posted by Mwatangua

KWAME WATCH YOUR FOUL MOUTH OK! WHAT WAS AFRICA BEFORE THE COLONIAL POWERS CAME HERE? WHAT KIND OF BUILDINGS DID WE HAVE? THAT IS WHAT I MEANT OK! WE TALKING ABOUT A GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION DO YOU WANT IT TO BE LIKE THESE HUTS YOU POSTED? AND DO NOT SPEAK BAD BOUT ANGOLA COZ THIS IS ANGOLAN FORUM IF YOU DONT LIKE ANGOLA PLEASE FEEL FREE TO BOUNCE! I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND I KNOW ANGOLA WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD IF WE CONTINUE TO BUILD LIKE WE DOING

The idea is to take design elements from traditional African architecture and incorporate those into modern structures. The idea is not to simply build huts. Does the BCEAO building I posted look like a hut?

We need to imagine, and create, new African urban environments that evoke the spirit, culture, energy, and heart of African countries. Trying to reproduce Rome in Angola (which the design in the first post tries to do) is uncreative, sad, and foolish.

We don't need to choose between:
modern OR African
flashy OR African

We need to find ways of making African architecture modern and flashy.

People like these Angolan policy-makers need to think harder about what they are doing, what they are building, and what legacy they will leave for the next generation.

For those who are serious about architecture in Africa, that is the challenge.

[Carver02]

For instace, there are many traditional Malay design elements included in the Petronas Towers. Behold modern, flashy, Malay architecture: