African Design Magazine July 2016 | Page 2

Editor’s view Iconic African architecture under attack One of Africa’s most iconic pieces of recent architecture has been in the news lately and is under attack for all the wrong reasons. A dispute has broken out over architect Kunlé Adeyemi’s award-winning Makoko Floating School in Nigeria following its collapse in June, with a community leader claiming pupils were evacuated three months ago over safety concerns and critics questioning its credentials. NLÉ, Adeyemi’s studio, issued a statement titled “Makoko Floating School comes down for upgrade” saying the prototype school “had been out of use in anticipation of reconstruction.” Built of timber struts and floating on a platform made of 250 plastic barrels, Makoko Floating School became a symbol of hope for the deprived area, which is home to 100 000 inhabitants but with few facilities and has been described as “the world’s biggest floating slum”. A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to build extra facilities at Shemede’s Whanyinna Primary School in Makoko to replace those facilities lost in the storm. CLICK HERE to donate to this cause. Gregg Cocking CREDITS Let’s ensure that our African architecture makes it into the public’s consciousness for all the right reasons (and we have 8 new African projects this month to do just that!) We would also like to welcome on board this issue’s sponsor – Decorex Joburg – an expo well worth a visit. Enjoy reading and sharing our latest issue! #AfricanDesign. Published by African Design Magazine (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 9802, Edenglen, Johannesburg, South Africa, 1613 Editorial Gregg Cocking Cell: +2782-870-6390 Email: gregg@africandesignmagazine. com Advertising Lesley Shapiro Cell: +2782-508-7338 Email: lesley@africandesignmagazine. com Cover photograph: Laayoune Technology School in Morocco. Photograph: Doublespace Photography While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of its contents and information, neither the editor, publisher, or its agents can accept responsibility for damages or injury which may arise therefrom. All rights reserved. © African Design Magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, photocopying, electronic, mechanical or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owners. OUR PARTNERS