THE AFRICAN HERITAGE HOUSE, NAIROBI, KENYA
Sahelian architecture in the era of modernism
This sumptuous Kenyan monument is the work of the American Alan Donovan, built between the years 1989 and 1994. Its exterior design is a typical inspiration of the great mosques of Mali, in particular that of Djene and Timbuktu but also of the many and magnificent mud architectures that we find all over Africa.
On these walls we can see sculptures of traditional West African symbols. These were made by a very special technique which consists in the manufacture of styrofoam molds that we nail to the walls and then fill them with cement.
After the cement has dried, the polystyrene foams are removed and the cement is shaped by hand to obtain this magnificent final result.
The interior of the house was designed around a courtyard as is done in Moroccan culture (Riad) for more natural light in the living rooms arranged all around but also natural ventilation. The design of the rooms is inspired by many African countries ranging from Swahili houses in Lamu to Kenya passing through northern Nigeria, Morocco.