African Architecture

This book aims at identifying some elements and concepts of art and architecture that when incorporated in building designs classifies them African. It also assesses whether evoking such elements and concepts is possible and can be easily identified by the natives of the study area and by foreigners. A survey was conducted to assess the level of awareness in Cape-Coast in Ghana which is rich in cultural heritage sites and African history. Studies of cultural buildings were carried out to find out how character and identity is given to such buildings to make them culturally significant to the particular culture it is designed for. This book endeavors to address the general lack of clarity on the subject of African Art and Architecture and history amongst ordinary Africans. It is hoped that this book will help in the effort towards incorporate African elements and concepts in Architecture to develop a unique African Architecture. Through findings of this thesis, model cultural centers can be designed and subsequently this model will help to educate and inform the design of other cultural buildings and eventually all buildings in Ghana, Africa.