5 Magnificent Buildings in Africa

The global architectural industry keeps evolving. With advancements in technology, global regulations that point to an environment friendly world, and an everchanging consumer landscape, the architectural trends keep changing.

The African continent hasn’t been left behind.

The continent has some of the most magnificent and breathtaking buildings.

Here are 7 iconic buildings in Africa, a testament of the fact that the future of African architecture can only get brighter.

Table of Contents

Global Trade Centre

The Global Trade Centre (GTC) in Nairobi houses different buildings.

It’s in the Westlands area on a 7.5-acre piece of land. The tallest building is the Nairobi GTC Office Tower, standing at 184 meters with 42 floors. The GTC also has a 35-floor hotel tower with a JW Marriott hotel, four residential flats, a 4-story mall, and a 3-story retail area in the office tower. The complex is along Waiyaki Way and the Nairobi Expressway.

National Arts Théâtre in Lagos Nigeria

Nigeria’s main hub for performing arts is the National Arts Theatre. The monument is situated in Iganmu, Lagos State, which served as the nation’s previous capital.

Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo’s military regime oversaw the construction of the National Arts Theatre. Its outer shell has a military hat-like shape. In addition to a collapsible stage and two movie theaters, it comes with a combined seating capacity of 5,000.

Nabemba Tower Congo Brazaville

This unique office skyscraper, also called Elf Tower, is situated south of Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, along Avenue Amilcar Cabral, close to the banks of the Congo River.

In addition to having been built in the 1980s, it is still the nation’s tallest structure at 106 meters and 30 stories. The building is named after Mount Nabemba, the tallest mountain in Congo.

The striking building has the shape of a concave cylinder with alternate vertical strips of glass and white concrete, which highlight the curvature of the structure. The building is supported by a rectangular pedestal.

AU Conference Center, Ethiopia

The headquarters of the African Union is one of the most beautiful structure in the continent. Located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this building boasts of being the third tallest building in Addis Ababa with a height of 117.7 meters.

The building that is a construct of Chinese architecture cost $200 million. The structure has a unique and outstanding design that resembles tow hands in embrace a symbolism of Africa and China relations. The artwork on the walls is mostly Chinese.

Ocean view Capetown, South Africa.

Ocean View is a 15-story towering skyscraper located in Cape Town, South Africa. From a far the building seems like a towering staircase on one side with its construct combination of glass and cement.

Behind this is a towering pillar construct with what seems like a landing pad on top. The building is located in the fastest growing premier beachfront real estate region of the Western Cape.

It is easily accessible from Cape Town and is just a short distance drive from Cape Town International Airport.

PSPF Commercial Twin Towers, Tanzania

This architectural marvel is located at the heart of Dar es Salaam, the largest and wealthiest city in Tanzania.

The alluring and luxurious structure that is made of glass and steel is a high rise tower divided into Tower A and B, mixed used residential and commercial building. The 153-meter-tall twin tower building is easily recognizable. Besides it being a skyscraper, the shimmering yellow and turquoise colours make it stand out.

Alice Lane Towers, South Africa

The 15 Alice Lane Towers formerly known as the dancing towers has dramatically changed the Sandtown skyline. The structure that is made of glass and aluminium gives the building a unique three-dimensional look that makes it viewable from all angles.

As a result of the state-of-the-art glass technology, the building has a highly patterned and abstract surface that keep changing depending on the time and atmosphere of the day.

A patterned “skin” of clear, dark grey, and translucent glass that appears to be randomly arranged covers the north and south façades of the building. On the east and west facades, sculptural aluminum boxes encircle deeply engraved glass lines, obstructing direct sunlight.

Another outstanding feature of the building is its curved façades and its neon-lit silhouette in the dark. Both are linked with a narrow, vertical atrium which houses walkways and bridges that spiral upwards and allow skylights to fill the space with light.

The Alice Lane Towers represents South Africa’s progression in terms of exploring new architectural forms.

Africa is home to some of the most beautiful and iconic buildings in the world. It remains to be seen what the architectural industry will achieve in the near future, but there’s no denying, things can only get better.