The architecture of Africa, like other aspects of the culture of Africa, is exceptionally diverse. Many ethno-linguistic groups throughout the history of Africa have had their own architectural traditions. In some cases, broader styles can be identified, such as the Sahelian architecture of an area of West Africa.
As with all architectural traditions, African architecture has been subject to numerous external influences, such as Ancient Egyptian architecture showing a strong influence from ancient Asian traditions. More recently, Islamic architecture has been the most significant influence on North African architecture, leading to the creation of the Swahili architecture style. Western architecture has also had an impact on coastal areas since the late 15th century, and is now an important source for many larger buildings, particularly in major cities.
Early architecture
Probably the most famous structure in all of Egypt, the pyramids remain one of the worlds' greatest architectural achievements, despite having been built millennia ago.
Great Zimbabwe is the largest medieval city in sub-Saharan Africa. Great Zimbabwe was constructed and expanded for more than 300 years in a local style that eschewed rectilinearity for flowing curves. Neither the first nor the last of some 300 similar complexes located on the Zimbabwean plateau, Great Zimbabwe is set apart by the terrific scale of its structure. Its most formidable edifice, commonly referred to as the Great Enclosure, has walls as high as 36 feet extending approximately 820 feet, making it the largest ancient structure south of the Sahara Desert.
Ethiopia saw the rise of several architectural styles. Axumite architecture, developed further around Lalibela, saw the apotheosis of monolithic architecture. Tombs and entire churches were carved out of single blocks of rock, in a style which showed the continuing influence of Classical architecture. The arrival of Jesuit missionaries in the nation saw the development of the European-influenced castles of Gonder.
Further south, the growth of Arab influence, and the development of ports saw the birth of Swahili architecture, such as Zanzibar's Stone Town, with its famous carved doors. The Islamic conquest of North Africa saw Islamic architecture develop in the region, including such famous structures as the Cairo citadel. South of the Sahara, Islamic influence was a major contributing factor to the development of Sahelian architecture, which initially grew from the two cities of Djenne and Timbuktu.
Early European colonies developed around the West African coast, building large forts. The associated rise of kingdoms in the region produced architecture drew instead on indigenous traditions, utilising wood.
Modern architecture
The revival of interest in traditional styles can be traced to Cairo in the early 19th century. This had spread across North Africa by 1900, when colonial buildings across the continent began to pastiche elements of traditional African architecture. Other buildings reflected the fashionable European eclecticism and pastisched Mediterreanean, or even Northern European, styles. Examples of colonial towns from this era survive at Saint-Louis, Senegal, Grand Bassam and elsewhere.
The impact of modern architecture began to be felt in the 1920s and 1930s. Le Corbusier designed several unbuilt schemes for Algeria, including one for the reconstruction of Algiers, while the Italian futurists saw Asmara as an opportunity to build their designs. Later, Alison and Peter Smithson extended their work on British schools into Ghana. But modern architecture in this sense has largely remained the preserve of European architects.
A number of new cities were built following the end of colonialism, while others were greatly expanded. Perhaps the best known example is that of Abidjan, where the majority of buildings were still designed by high-profile non-African architects. In Yamoussoukro, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro is an example of a desire for monumentality in these new cities, but Arch 22 in the old Gambian capital of Banjul displays the same bravado.
Other notable structures of recent years have been some of the world's largest dams. The Aswan High Dam and Akosombo Dam hold back the world's largest reservoirs. In recent years, there has also been renewed bridge building in many nations, while the Trans-Gabon Railway is perhaps the last of the great railways to be constructed.
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