Futuristic architecture, an idyllic destination that transports you to the heart of the Atlantic Ocean… Mansa Floating Hub is not just an entertainment centre. It is the cultural hub of all Africa and the diaspora. Inspired by Cape Verde’s cultural and environmental resources, the vessel was designed and built by famous African architect, Kunlé Adeyemi.
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In a time where connection seems so far removed, it’s not only refreshing but inspiring to witness the work of creatives who still believe in the power of coming together in the name of culture, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Robyn Simpson.
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Adeyemi was one of five members of the International Advisory Council for the World Design Capital 2014 being hosted by Cape Town, South Africa. This International design event is an opportunity to identify, nurture and promote projects that offer tangible evidence of how design can improve lives within the uniquely South African and African context.
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The idea behind Mansa Floating Hub is to create a platform that brings together all African and diaspora creatives. It will therefore be a place for them to work, collaborate with other creative people, participate in mentorship and development programmes in order to value their talents to ultimately promote it on the continent and elsewhere.
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The floating vessel consists of a set of three buildings of different sizes that will host a large multi-purpose room, a professional recording studio and a service bar.
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“Whether a chair for charity in South Africa, a revolutionary rotating art space for Prada in Seoul or the visionary plan to eliminate traffic paralysis in Lagos with the 4th Mainland Bridge, in each project the essential needs of performance, value and identity – critical for success – are fundamentally the same for me.
“Although quantitatively different from place to place, the responsibility of achieving these needs at maximum, with minimum means, remains the same globally. I am constantly inspired by solutions we discover in everyday life in the world’s developing cities,” said Adeyemi in 2010.
All of Kunlé Adeyemi’s experience, knowledge and background underpin his new architectural, creative design, and urbanism practice for Africa, developing regions and complex urban/rural environments globally.
The overarching aim of the practice is to bridge critical gaps in infrastructure and urban development by creating coherent networks and global exchanges that work for people.
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The scope of the practice is not limited to architecture. He has also designed furniture, among many other things, and explores all social and cultural possibilities that contribute to urbanism.
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Pictures: @nleworks