Archive for the ‘Home Architecture’ Category
Contemporary French architecture
Morzine can be explained as a traditional village which has succeeded in keeping its standard tradition and cultural heritage, particularly with regards to its architecture. The area is wonderful for a cozy holiday with accommodations ranging from wooden and stone chocolate box luxurious chalets to conventional family resort in Morzine. Getting situated in a wooded valley, a large portion is lined by trees which choose pole placement in constructions.
Akin to Morzine, Essert Romand, a small French village adjoining Morzine, has also managed the cultural architecture methods and patterns. This commune, located in the Haute-Savoie section in the Rhone-Alpes location in South France, delivers quite a few stunning chalets for vacationer accommodations. These chalets, though renovated, have managed the standard contact of the French architecture.
Yet another French village holding the architectural heritage is Les Will get, situated between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc.
Les Will get is thought to have had woods in its veins. The village obtained its identify from the local language phrases – ‘gitte’ or ‘giette’ which refer to the corridors used to ship logs speedily down the hillside. The main methods for Les Will get inhabitants, prior to development of tourism, have been wooden and drinking water. Various types of pine ended up employed for constructions. These constructions included the major structure, the chimneys, partition walls, roofing tiles, and anything else was produced from wooden. Additionally, wood was also utilized to make agricultural instruments and even utensils.
The modern day French architecture, such as wood framework Morzine (Charpente Morzine), wooden framework Essert Romand (Charpente Essert Romand), woodwork/carpentry Montriond (Menuiserie Montriond), and roofing Les Will get (Toiture Les Will get), has been invigorated because the seventies and, at current, is going through a flourishing resurgence of the historical skills. These days, the wood framework has been modernized by use of modern day industrial instruments like the CNC machines. The development of French wooden framework has been supported by these machines and mass-generation strategies thus making much more cost-effective frames.
Wooden framework construction features numerous rewards like:
* Lightweight development
* Little wall thickness with higher insulating price
* Can be blended with all other wall programs
* Dry building technique
* No building moisture
* Wood planking or outer lining plaster
* A lot less time for assembling and constructing
* Timber development program for present day building designs
* Wooden planking or inside lining plaster on plasterboard
The wooden framework development for outside walls is carried out in thicknesses of ten,15, and 20 cm. the within partitions, on the other hand, are constructed in thicknesses of 5, ten, and fifteen cm. the wall joints are bonded jointly hermetically with the assist of glue. The framework also includes all anchoring and sealing strips for wall sockets in addition to the vacant tubing for putting in electrical. An set up lathing is held with plasterboards on the interior side of the outer wall to resolve the electrical and sanitary installation uses.
Aside from, the within wall also contains a framework development in spruce wooden with thermal wadding and planking by use of a 15 mm panel manufactured from wooden based mostly content on both sides. For a far more sound insulation, however, you can have a framework wall with a double timbering.
Classic Architecture In India.
Now a day’s in india traditional architecture is the prevalent type of constructing because several years, built by means of conventional way of constructing strategies by regional builders without having using the solutions of a skilled architect. Because of to western affect, architects in india are not making use of standard architecture strategies now that are primarily based on indian climatic conditions. In India, building components has diverse categories from mud-plastered to reed-thatched to timber-framed in accordance with the availability of regional content. Some residences are developed to stand up to earthquakes, even though other folks can be rebuilt quickly if washed absent by heavy monsoon rains.
Components utilised for it:
In some regions in which there are limitations of creating substance, organic components such as mud, grass, bamboo, thatch or sticks are utilised, as an alternative of transporting resources from far place which is a blot on sustainability procedures, for semi-long lasting structures which need regular routine maintenance and substitution. The positive aspects of such conventional architecture are the design resources are cheap and effortlessly accessible and comparatively tiny labor is necessary.
As the demands and assets of the individuals alter, vernacular architecture evolve to incorporate much more durable supplies these kinds of as stones, clay tiles, metals and so on. Though they are far more expensive to build, they are really durable structures.
Local climate has a key affect more than classic architect:
In india local weather has a key influence on standard architecture. Large thermal mass or important quantities of insulation characterize buildings in chilly climates. Lighter resources are employed to created structures in heat climates and designed for ample cross-ventilation through openings in the fabric of the constructing. In areas which have large amounts of rainfall, flat roofs are averted, even in places with flat roofs, water harvesting methods are being employed.
About iDream:
iDream is a Intercontinental Class Architectural & Inside Style Organization providing its solutions in India and across the Asia Pacific region by means of an alliance. Established up in the year 2003, iDream brings jointly a resource pool of senior industry professionals with more than two decades of experience in managing major jobs in formats like Style and design Consultancy, Venture Conduite Consultancy and Style and design & Build, across the world
For more details log on to:
http://www.idream.in & http://www.lightgreen.in
All About Architectural Ironmongery
People are nonetheless puzzled about ironmongery and its implications and value on the result of an architectural landmark. The relevance of ironmongery and its significance in beautifying an or else dull residence is a properly-founded simple fact. The ignorance of individuals and the shifting architecture traits have diminished its value. Ironmongery, in its strictest types, is still very a lot current in our homes and development web sites.
By the way, what specifically is ironmongery? In truth, each and every iron relevant object used in design and decoration of a house is considered ironmongery. This includes the iron railings, handles, switches, knobs and boards that are an essential part of any residence. We use these iron supplies, as they are tough and are greatest suited for a quantity of capabilities in our house. They are also easily offered from the market place in pre-fabricated shapes.
We can choose any dimension and shape that very best fits our home’s architecture.
Ironmongery also contains intricate styles produced from iron that are utilised in our residing rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms. Furthermore, cabinets are occasionally manufactured from iron and as a result represent a part of ironmongery for property construction. Ironmongery holds a fantastic place in home construction and decoration. Men and women want to switch to ironmongery to elevate up the image of their residence and give it a great ambiance.
People are also interested in ironmongery, due to the fact it can conceal architectural defaults in a house. Let us give an example in this regard. Just believe that your house is created on an opulent scale and evidently without having defaults or shortcomings. Even so, a shut examination may expose some discrepancies like superficial cracks in the doors and cupboards since of a sturdy hammering throughout their installation.
You can simply conceal that hideous thing by utilizing a modest piece of ironmongery.
This can be possibly a doorway knob or a tiny iron composition that can be mounted at that area to conceal the flaws. It will also increase the picture of that affected element of the doorway or cabinet.
Commercial home, on the other hand, may have a large or very low proportion of ironmongery dependent on the owners’ desire. In some commercial homes, architectural ironmongery is not even deemed as an solution.
That is particularly correct for contemporary manifeste workplaces, as the massive inflow of men and women can injury the fragile iron structures. In other industrial attributes, like personal workplaces and hospitals, ironmongery is nonetheless a well-known solution. Even some commercial structures are now turning to in depth ironmongery, as they are getting to be aware of its relevance in architecture and style and design.
Particularly the private housing sector is rethinking about its use of ironmongery. The use of ironmongery observed a decrease in the late twentieth century but it has witnessed resurgence in modern decades. The capacity of ironmongery to boost the architecture of a residence and concealing minor defects is helping it regain a robust footing. Provided these advantages, it is expected that architectural ironmongery will turn into an integral element of house decoration in the coming many years.
Architectural Shingles Assortment
Architectural shingles vary in measurements and resources from which they are created. Even so they are called, these roofing products supply exclusive 3-dimensional physical appearance that rivals the frequent appear of the normal wooden shake. The fundamental design and style of the shingles nevertheless suggests the depth and floor of the normal roofing resources, but the variations make the shingles distinct in their personal techniques.
Depending on the merchandise, as effectively as the sales regions, characteristics of architectural shingles fluctuate. Most are offered in either “English” or “Metric” dimensions. Their excess weight is usually among 240 to 340 lbs ., which final results to the shingles’ substantial resistance to sturdy winds and intense weather conditions situations. Other attributes of shingles consist of resistance to algae development, particularly in damp regions. This style and design feature also will help stop the black streaking frequently noticeable on shingles in regions with humidity and rainfall somme.
The main parts of shingles incorporate mat base made of fiber glass and asphalt that is very carefully refined.
Other than these basic components, producers also are inclined to require added underlayment in architectural shingles to stop leakage and/or waterproofing. The shingles are also obtainable in diverse shades, but availability may differ on diverse regions.
Shingle varieties might be categorized primarily based on the materials employed. Aluminum shingles, although not deemed as an substitute for residential places, are now getting made to resemble cedar shakes, slate and clay tiles. Extended lasting, vitality efficient and recyclable, they do not rust, rot, tear, or become infested by bugs or mildew. An additional kind is produced from copper, which is a powerful, resilient, and surroundings-friendly metallic.
Copper shingles are usually desired by a lot of people due to the fact even however it has a tendency to change color right after a specified period of time because of to chemical reactions with the environment, it will not dry out or crack. Additionally, no added roofing reinforcement is essential, which minimizes expenses. There are other metallic architectural shingles gaining recognition presently due to the fact of their trendy physical appearance and practicality. Currently being modernized, they can very easily be painted to fit any type of roof. To make metal shingles resistant to corrosion, they are coated with zinc. Also, they are not matter to attack from mould, bugs, or rot.
Shingles are also produced from non-steel resources. These types are the older kinds of architectural shingles that are still trendy and classical at the same time. Slate shingles, for a single, are the stylish and sturdy that survived the modifications in style with the passing of time and era. Even though now one particular of the most expensive roofing merchandise accessible in the market place, it is quite fascinating, specifically in locations vulnerable to forest fires simply because they are nearly hearth resistant. Solar shingles, produced from thin layers of amorphous silicon and stainless steel, are amid the most up-to-date engineering that will help customers harness photo voltaic vitality. They are used in commercial, residential and agricultural structures.
The assortment of different architectural shingles created from distinct materials showcases to different locations and areas relying on a number of functions as effectively as weather situations. House and structural homeowners ranging from commercial to agricultural industries have broader choices of roof systems to decide on from thinking about daily life span, performance and toughness.
Finest Architecture Colleges
It’s an approved reality that a aspiration house are unable to be created with out the contribution of architecture. The time period architecture can be defined as the artwork as effectively as science of making properties and structures that includes preparing, developing and constructing of areas to give them a purposeful, social and aesthetic appears. The architectural perform is performed with a coordination of content, technological innovation, light and shadow as well as task organizing whereas the critical elements this kind of as value estimation and design administration cannot be neglected.
To commence an architecture profession, you must 1st be armed with a diploma in architecture from a single of the 114 architecture applications that are accredited by the Nationwide Architectural Accrediting Board. The a few major types of architectural packages are the five calendar year bachelor’s diploma, 2 yr master’s, and three-4 12 months master’s.
The most typical form is the 5 calendar year bachelor’s diploma software. Even so, it is essential to know what region of architecture you want to focus in, due to the fact it can be extremely hard to change specialties.
The occupation description for an architect revolves close to the art and science of style and design for construction of a developing. Generally, an architect styles, ideas and supervises the design of a constructing. Getting responsible for the safety, aesthetic value and function of the creating with conformance to the legislation and demands of the consumer, an architect has to feel extremely meticulously just before creating an acceptable design and style.
The greatest architecture schools are accredited, which is quite crucial due to the fact a faculties accreditation is very critical. If a faculty is not Accredited their diplomas will not be identified for the genuine achievements they are worth. So why waste four yrs in a school which can be harmful to your instructional journey and make it difficult for a you to reach your career goals.
A typical company college offering management classes for architecture would contain topics that chat about administration behaviour and processes pertaining to it. Moreover, the training course would include managerial economics, as nicely as the basics pertinent to accounting to aid architects learn the business potential that architecture has in the existing times- factors that an architecture university would miss out on. The papers also incorporate managerial conversation, the crucial to impress clientele and growing the business ventures for the company. Furthermore, the management programs also bargain with the organization regulations and ethics that make a company stand out from the other individuals. It really should be comprehended that architecture is all about the factors of designing, which is why the MBA programs pertain to the area planning, as well as venture conduite in get to deliver forth the finest outcomes for the clientele.
Most employers favor to employ work applicants who have acquired their training from a college or college with the suitable accreditation status. Numerous employers also look to see that staff have been educated at an appropriately accredited establishment when creating selections about business promotions, firm advancements, and whether or not to give tuition protection or aid for staff who wish or want to additional their education and learning. It is well verified that if an employer had to decide on between a prospect from an accredited college and one particular from a typical institution they’d relatively pick a applicant from an accredited university. The very best architecture universities in the region are all accredited.
Definition of Web Architecture
In layman’s terms and conditions, internet website architecture, or web architecture, is a strategy of arranging and designing internet internet sites in which, like in architecture itself, requires technicalities, aesthetics and performance. Also, like in architecture, the person and the user’s demands and prerequisites are in the leading priorities of creating a web site.
And because of acquiring complex standards, web architecture calls for specific thought to internet content, company prepare and coordination, usability and operation, interactivity aesthetics, info composition and net style.
Also, efficient research motor optimization, or Search engine marketing, is essential to place a internet site within the rankings of well-known sites visited in the Entire world Vast Web. Acquiring an successful Search engine marketing solutions in world wide web architecture is a good edge for in the web web site industry, for search engine optimization is a common service.
As for internet material improvement, phases of planning, design and administration come inside the range of internet design techniques, the classic design and style factors of consistency, firmness and delight inside each and every material to be published can manual the architecture of world wide web web sites, as they implement physical web architecture and other design and style ideas.
World wide web website architecture is delving inside the scopes of aesthetics and critical theory, and this pattern may possibly speed up with the introduction of semantic internet and Web 2.. Equally of the suggestions intensify the structural and visual aspects of the subject material within a world wide web site.
Structuralism, an essential component in internet architecture, is a methodological approach that influences many theoretical disciplines such as aesthetics, essential concept and postmodernism.
Having the pointed out disciplines on the helm of any web site creation, World wide web two., involving consumer-created material, gives assistance to the world wide web architect to the proper structuring of every single piece of data for the browser’s convenience and satisfaction.
World wide web architecture has the likelihood to be a expression for the structural and aesthetical discipline of placing up a web internet site and its material. Web design and style, on distinction with net web site architecture, sets on the applied tasks, on graphics and technicalities, in designing and publishing a net web site. The comparison between the two is relative to editing a information or functions publication these kinds of as newspapers and magazines, and to graphic and print styles, respectively. But the connection between editorial and creation/reproduction companies is considerably relative for world wide web contents than in print publications.
Federal Business Architecture explained
Federal Business Architecture (FEA) is, in the simplest terms and conditions, the business architecture which describes a federal government. Company architectures (EAs) are in essence systems of administration practice that strive to align assets so that enterprise performance can be improved and core strategic features can be far better executed.
In the case of government, an EA helps an agency or department carry out their core missions by describing their recent state and their likely or desired future state – and lays out a program for transitioning from the previous to the latter. In functional terms even though, FEA normally refers to the company architecture of a precise federal authorities the US Federal government, which developed FEA to offer a common methodology for the acquisition, use and disposal of Data Technologies (IT) property and infrastructure.
The greatest purpose guiding the style and design of the FEA initiative is to make the sharing of data throughout federal organizations as easy as potential by developing a typical, inter-operable regular for info storage and entry, thus lowering expenses and improving the services to the citizens of the United States.
In portion, it was designed owing to the 1996 Clinger-Cohen Act – passed by congress to reform and enhance the way Federal organizations offer with IT methods. In effect, Clinger-Cohen gives that federal government IT acquisition and administration should be just as efficient and lucrative as the functions of a profitable non-public business.
Even so, it took some three years right up until the Federal council of Chief Data Workplaces – the place accountable for IT management in a Federal agency – created an official framework which could transcend multiple inter-agency boundaries when establishing an FEA. This was the Federal Business Architecture Framework, which partitioned any presented business architecture into separate business, apps, knowledge and technological innovation architectures and produced the foundations of any potential FEA work.
In impact, the FEA is a build created via the use of an assortment of various reference models to ensure that a frequent taxonomy and ontology is employed throughout the Federal government when describing IT resources and their functions. These distinct designs include the method reference product (PRM), the company reference design (BRM), the provider part reference design (SRM), the knowledge reference model (DRM) and the technical reference model (TRM). Each of these are used to embody a distinct basic purpose or idea and give a framework for bettering it, creating a shared taxonomy and recognisable requirements to measure current and proposed EA against, as properly as in the end by making distinct roles and responsibilities for workers to apply FEA in an agency.
Finest Architecture Schools
Trying to locate the best architecture college in the nation? Selecting a faculty can be tough, specifically when choosing a single for a specific profession, so below is one thing you ought to feel about before you sign-up for a school. Does it go well with your requirements? If you are slower paced then other individuals, do the professors offer individual support? If you might be a person who learns fingers on, does it have hands on instruction? Even some of the greatest architecture universities in the nation aren’t necessarily the very best university for you so be positive to do your study.
More than a hundred accredited universities in the U.S. offer architecture degrees, and whilst deciding on the best architecture software for you can seem to be confusing, there are several assets you can refer to. The most comprehensive is the Manual to Architecture Colleges, which describes degrees offered, system philosophies, school, alumni, instructor-to-university student ratio, value, school inhabitants, and university environment for each and every plan.
Not only does skilled MBA classes is liable for aiding an architecture major to develop the essential investing skills but it also will help in offering the individual a far better gist about the abilities that are important to switch the architecture program into a distinguished business venture. MBA coaching lessons are usually beaming with the essential capabilities that could turn a graduate from an architecture higher education into a distinguished organization magnate. Most of the classes consist of in depth examination of the modern day methods in the architecture as well as the management sector to bring forth the greatest of both the fields into one particular.
A common organization university offering management classes for architecture would consist of topics that speak about conduite behaviour and procedures pertaining to it. In addition, the program would incorporate managerial economics, as nicely as the essentials related to accounting to support architects discover the enterprise likely that architecture has in the recent instances- factors that an architecture university would skip out on. The papers also incorporate managerial communication, the important to impress clientele and increasing the organization ventures for the organization. Additionally, the management classes also offer with the company legal guidelines and ethics that make a enterprise stand out from the other folks. It should be recognized that architecture is all about the factors of planning, which is why the MBA classes pertain to the space planning, as well as project conduite in buy to deliver forth the greatest outcomes for the clientele.
Most employers prefer to employ job applicants who have acquired their schooling from a faculty or university with the suitable accreditation position. A lot of employers also search to see that personnel have been educated at an appropriately accredited establishment when making choices about company promotions, organization developments, and no matter whether to offer tuition coverage or assistance for staff who desire or want to further their education and learning. It is well confirmed that if an employer experienced to decide on amongst a prospect from an accredited college and 1 from a standard establishment they’d rather choose a prospect from an accredited faculty. The very best architecture universities in the region are all accredited.
Inside Architecture Plans
Inside Architecture is a bridge among architecture and interior layout. It gives experts with the appropriate understanding concerning the building of structures and the value and comprehending of load bearing partitions. The fields of Inside Architecture and Interior Layout are quite equivalent. Some individuals refer to the two fields as a single and get in touch with it Inside Architecture Design and style.
Inside architectural style experts in the United States can’t get in touch with himself or herself an Interior Architect except if they have completed the instructional demands to grow to be a totally licensed architect. The real definition of Inside Architecture is a program that prepares individuals to implement the architectural ideas in the style of structural interiors for living, leisure and for business reasons so as to perform as a professional inside architect.
This contains instruction in the architecture of heating and cooling systems, occupational and security specifications, inside design and style, specific stop-use applications, structural systems style and specialist tasks and requirements.
Essentially 3D -architecture interior -modeling is a sub portion of 3D -architecture modeling. Below main aim is to develop exact 3-D interior models of building framework. How your building’s inside will search, what to modify and what not to adjust, what really should be accomplished to make it far better – all these queries are evident when you are arranging to build a creating. 3D- architecture- inside- modeling extensively clarifies all these above described queries in the sort of 3-D inside architecture models.
As mentioned, 3D architecture- inside -modeling gives accurate 3D interior designs of creating. These versions play a role of a template design and style of proposed creating. According to this, 1 can easily visualize total building interiors concepts and can program decent building methods. Also if some modifications are required, then modification can be completed really easily as per specifications to get finest feasible answers.
One particular of the biggest interior style packages in the region can be discovered at the Design and style Institute of San Diego. When getting into into this plan, pupils will instantly grow to be immersed in programs developed towards their field so that they can have 4 complete several years of functional knowledge. The inside design and style plan helps college students to generate a powerful base expertise in the principles of style, drawing, and coloration. Students will discover to feel critically about interior style concerns and use innovative expression in a functional and worthwhile way.
In Denver, CO, the Rocky Mountain University of Art and Design and style gives the two on-campus and on the internet academic options. They have a 12 months-spherical trimester schedule, supplying college students the chance to comprehensive their degree inside a few many years. Though every semester does have a total timetable of lessons available, a lot of college students uncover that there is far more individualized attention in the summer season classes, making it possible for them to understand more effortlessly. The Rocky Mountain University of Artwork and Design and style even delivers cost savings for pupils finding out complete time on the trimester schedule. The interior layout software will assist pupils to produce the expertise to grow to be professionals in their discipline.
Architecture Of Africa
Early architecture
Probably the most famous class of structures in all Africa, the pyramids of Egypt remain one of the world’s greatest early architectural achievements, if limited in practical scope and originating from a purely funerary context. Egyptian architectural traditions also saw the rise of vast temple complexes and buildings.
Little is known of ancient architecture south and west of the Sahara. Harder to date are the monoliths around the Cross River, which has geometric or human designs. The vast number of Senegambian stone circles also evidence an emerging architecture.
Egypt
Main article: Egyptian architecture
Egypt’s achievements in architecture were varied from temples, enclosed cities, canals, and dams.
Nubia
Main article: Nubian architecture
The city of Kerma
Nubian Architecture is one of the most ancient in the world. The earliest style of Nubian Architecture include the speos, structures carved out of solid rock, an A-Group(3700-3250 B.C.E.) achievement. Egyptians made extensive use of the process at Speos Artemidos and Abu Simbel. A-Group eventually led to C-Group. C-Group began with lite supple materials, animal skins, and wattle and daub. Later larger more structures of mudbricks became the norm. C-Group culture was related to Kerma. Kerma was settled around 2400 B.C. It was a walled city containing religious building, large circular dwelling, a palace, and well laid out roads. On the East side of the city, funnery temple and chapel were laid out. It supported a population of 2,000. One of its most endearing structure was the Deffufa, a mudbrick temple ceremonies were performed on top. Between 1500-1085 B.C., Egyptian conquest and domination of Nubia was achieved.
Nubian pyramids at Meroe
This conquest brought about the Napatan Phase of Nubian history, the birth of the Kingdom of Kush. Kush was immensely influenced by Egypt and eventually conquered Egypt. During this phase, we see the building of numerous pyramids and temples. Gebel Barkal in the town of Napata was a very significant site. Kushite pharaohs received legitimacy. Thirteen temples have been excavated and two palaces in Napata. Napata has yet to be fully excavated. Nubian pyramids were constructed on three major sites El Kurru, Nuri, and Meroe. Sudan has more pyramids than Egypt. Sudan contains 223 pyramids. They were smaller than Egyptian Pyramids. Nubian pyramids were for Kings and Queens. The general construction of Nubian pyramids consisted of steep walls, a chapel facing East, stairway facing East, and a chamber access via the stairway. The Meroe site has the most Nubian pyramids and is considered the largest archaeolological site in the world. Around AD 350 the area was invaded by the Ethiopian kingdom of Aksum and the kingdom collapsed.
Aksumite
Main article: Aksumite architecture
The ruin of the temple at Yeha, Tigray region, Ethiopia.
The best known building of the period in the region is the ruined or eight century BC multi-story tower at Yeha in Ethiopia, believed to have been the capital of D’mt. Ashlar masonry was especially dominant during this period, owing to South Arabian influence where the style was extremely common for monumental structures.
Aksumite Architecture flourished in the region from the 4th century BC onward, persisting even after the transition of the Aksumite dynasty to the Zagwe in the 12th century, as attested by the numerous Aksumite influences in and around the medieval churches of Lalibela. Stelae (hawilts) and later entire churches were carved out of single blocks of rock, emulated later at Lalibela and throughout Tigray. Other monumental structures include massive underground tombs often located beneath stelae. The stelae is the single largest monolithic structure ever erected (or attempted to be erected). Other well-known structures employing the use of monoliths include tombs such as the “Tomb of the False Door” and the tombs of Kaleb and Gebre Mesqel in Axum.
Most structures, however, like palaces, villas, commoner’s houses, and other churches and monasteries, were built of alternating layers of stone and wood. The protruding wooden support beams in these structures have been named “monkey heads” and are a staple of Aksumite architecture and a mark of Aksumite influence in later structures. Some examples of this style had whitewashed exteriors and/or interiors, such as the medieval 12th century monastery of Yemrehanna Krestos near Lalibela, built during the Zagwe dynasty in Aksumite style. Contemporary houses were one-room stone structures or two-storey square houses or roundhouses of sandstone with basalt foundations. Villas were generally two to four stories tall and built on sprawling rectangular plans (cf. Dungur ruins). A good example of still-standing Aksumite architecture is the monastery of Debre Damo from the 6th century.
Maghreban Architecture
Thousands of tombs were left by Berbers that were pre-Christian in origin and whose architecture was unique to north-west Africa. The most famous was Tomb of the Christian Woman in Western Algeria. This structure contains column domed and spiraling pathways that lead to a single chamber.
Nok
Nok artifacts have been dated as far back as 790 B.C.E , located at the Jos Plateau in Nigeria, between the Niger and Benue river. From the excavation of Nok settlement in Samun Dikiya, there was the tendency to build on peaks. Nok settlements have not been extensively excavated.
Tichitt Walata (Ancient Ghana)
Tichitt Walata is the oldest surviving archaeological settlements in West Africa and the oldest all stone base settlement south of the Sahara. It was built by the Soninke people and is thought to be the precursor of the Ghana empire. It was being settled around 2000 B.C. One finds well laid out streets and fortified compounds all made out of skilled stone masonry. In all, there were 500 settlements.
Medieval Architecture
North Africa
Architecture in Fes, Morocco
The Islamic conquest of North Africa saw Islamic architecture develop in the region, including such famous structures as the Cairo Citadel.
Around 1000 A.D., cob (tabya) first appears in the Maghreb and al-Andalus.
West Africa
The Great Mosque of Djenn in Mali, first built in the 13th century and reconstructed in 19061909, is the largest clay building in the world.
Islamic merchants played a vital role in the Western Sahel region since the Kingdom of Ghana.
Kanem-Bornu’s capital city Birni N’Gazargamu, may have had a population of 200,000. It had four mosque which could hold up to 12,000 worshippers. It was surrounded by a 25 foot wall and more than 1 mile in circumference. Many large streets extended from the esplanade and connected to 660 roads. The main building and structure were built with red brick. Other buildings were built with straw and adobe.
Six important Hausa city states existed Kano, Katsina, Daura, Gobir, Zazzau, and Biram. Kano was the most important. The city was surrounded by a wall of reinforced ramparts of stone and bricks. Kano contained a citadel near which the royal class resided. Individual residence was separated by “earthen” wall. The higher the status of the resident the more elaborate the wall. The entranceway was mazelike to seclude women. Inside near the entrance were the abode of unmarried women. Further down were slave quarters.
The city of Kano
At Kumbi Saleh, locals lived in domed-shaped dwellings in the king’s section of the city, surrounded by a great enclosure. Traders lived in stone houses in a section which possessed 12 beautiful mosques (as described by al-bakri), one