Does African Architecture exist?

The world’s first Pan-African Architecture Biennale took place this September in Nairobi, Kenya. People from the worlds of architecture, art, academia and politics from 54 African countries and the diaspora had travelled to Nairobi to exchange ideas on traditional and contemporary building methods, materials, experiences and projects. Samira Aden co-organised this biennial as lead curator. We spoke to her about it.

Why did you get involved in the first Pan-African Architecture Biennale?

To date, knowledge is still dominated by the Global North; Europe and the US seem to possess the ‘correct knowledge’. This overlooks just how diverse architecture is across the various African countries and cultures, and the profound knowledge it embodies. Who talks about how people build with clay in Nigeria and how that differs from building methods in Mali? We’ve always believed that we need our own event in Africa. 

Who did you collaborate with on this project?

I’ve been in close contact with architects from Somalia and other countries for years. So when Omar Degan, a Somali-Italian architect, asked me to take part as a curator, I agreed – even before knowing whether the HZB would support it. I’m also doing this out of personal conviction. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Omar Degan and I worked together to develop and set up a mobile medical clinic for rural areas in Somalia, which was funded through crowdfunding. This is why we knew we work very well together.

What was your role?

In a short space of time, we transformed an ambitious idea into reality: we published a book and organised the Biennale. The curatorial framework is ‘Shifting the Centre: From Fragility to Resilience’. We selected architects from each country to exhibit their work. We also invited students to submit work on climate change, Africa’s future and traditional materials in a new context (vernacular intelligence). More than 200 students submitted their work and 20 pieces were selected. Despite the long journey, almost all of them came to Nairobi. They were incredibly happy to finally learn about practices and theories that are rarely discussed in the traditional Western context.

Did people from other countries come as well?

Yes, for example, there were researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ, Leipzig) who spoke about water resources and climate change. Researchers also travelled from Denmark, the USA and South Korea, all of whom were enthusiastic about our topics. I am convinced that the Global North could learn from African knowledge.

What can we learn, for example? 

In light of the climate crisis and resource scarcity, awareness is slowly growing here too that buildings made of glass, concrete and steel are too energy-intensive. Even modern composite materials are often unsustainable as they cannot be dismantled and reused. These issues are now being addressed by ‘The City as a Catalogue of Materials’ and the concept of circular economy. All of this is already standard practice in many traditional building methods. 

What insights did you take away ? 

I learnt so much. What is happening in Cameroon, in Equatorial Guinea, in other regions across this vast continent? Communication is still hindered by colonial history. With this Biennale, however, we have taken a first step towards change. It was very important to us to provide a platform for exchange and knowledge sharing: what can you do with willow rods, how can you weave them? There are so many different practices. 

And what about buildings?

Here, too, there are numerous solutions, for example in Lesotho. There, women constantly rearrange and apply geometric patterns made from natural materials to façades. These patterns tell the story of the materials themselves, the architecture is constantly being renewed. There were simply so many incredibly good examples. I can highlight another one from Togo, where two young female architects designed a maternity complex with natural ventilation through slits in the walls and natural materials that automatically ensure air exchange, disinfection and cooling.

Will there be another Pan-African Biennale?

The next Biennale will take place in 2028. In 2027, we will organise global dialogue formats. But a European venue is out of the question, as the next Biennale must also take place in a country where people can experience African solutions first-hand.

The Book:

Shifting the Center: From Fragility to Resilience, DOM publishers

Curated by Omar Degan. Edited by Meriam Sehimi with Samira Aden. October 2026. 

On Samira Aden:

Samira Jama Aden is an architect who works at the intersection of architecture, art and new technologies. She is an associate member of the “Bau Kunst Erfinden” research platform at the University of Kassel and a member of the expert group of the “ESG Working Group of the European Technology and Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics (ETIP PV)”. At BAIP, the expert in design research and innovative materials is responsible for consultancy and professional development.