Architectus Conrad Gargett renovates Africa Hall in Addis Ababa with UNESCO, African Union Commission, and Ethiopian government
The world was a very different place when Africa Hall opened its doors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The building, designed by Italian architect Arturo Mezzdimi, was finished in 1961, the height of the Pan-African movement. This was when Ethiopia was under the tutelage of Emperor Haile Selassie; Jomo Kenyatta was trying to build a socialist Kenya; Ahmed Ben Bella was implementing sweeping reforms (autogestion) in Algeria with architect Abderrahmane Bouchama; and Kwame Nkrumah was leading Ghana into a bold, postcolonial future, best exemplified in the construction of Black Star Square in Accra, designed by Victor Adegbite.Emperor Haile Selassie meeting with the project team behind Africa Hall before its 1961 completion (Arturo Mezzdimi Archive)Fast forward multiple decades, a slew of bloody coup dtats, Patrice Lumumbas murder by the Belgians and CIA, and other atrocities, Pan-Africanism faced significant challenges as the 20th century transpired. Meanwhile, Africa Hall in Addis Ababa served as the seat of power for the United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Africa, and also the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), an important entity that opened in 1963, but closed in 1999. OAU was the precursor to the African Union (AU), and the African National Congress (ANC) chaired by Nelson Mandela after his release from Robben Island in South Africa.A parade outside Africa Hall celebrating the 25th anniversary of UNECA circa 1983 (Arturo Mezzdimi Archive)More than fifty years after Africa Hall debuted, Architectus Conrad Gargett, an Australasian office, has finished restoring it in a decade-long renovation process. The grand reopening was celebrated on October 21. Abiy Ahmed, prime minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, gave opening words to mark the occasion; and so did UNSecretary-General Antonio Guterres; Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission; and other important world leaders. The monument to African history was restored in partnership with UNESCO, the African Union Commission, and the Ethiopian government.Africa Hall today after its extensive renovation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Rory Gardiner)The revitalisation of Africa Hall secures its place as a lasting symbol of African unity and a beacon for future generations, the architects said.Restoring a ClassicArchitectus Conrad Gargett joined the project team in 2013. The office was tasked with restoring hundreds of original furniture and art pieces spread throughout Africa Hall with a long list of consultants, making the building more energy efficient and accessible, and providing more quotidian amendments like addressing concrete degradation in the facade. We feel incredibly honoured and privileged to have given new life to this highly significant modern heritage building, ensuring it is valued and used by future generations, said David Gole, a principal at Architectus Conrad Gargett, who shepherded the design with project architect Simon Boundy, and a dedicated team of Australian and Ethiopian architects and consultants.The Plenary Hall has been fully restored, and can now host many more member states. (Rory Gardiner)The project presented a significant opportunity to reopen the building to the public, Gole continued, and provide an engaging visitor experience through sharing the story of Africa Hall and its important role in shaping modern African history. The renovation was truly holistic and unique in that it encompassed all aspects of the building considered as a total work of arta gesamtkunstwerka composition of integrated elements where architecture, interiors, integrated artworks, furniture and landscape setting were all designed in unison as one.Staying true to the original design by Mezzdimi was paramount, architects noted. Reinforced concrete was remediated on the facade to strengthen the structure and help with concrete carbonation.Much of the work entailed improving exterior concrete. (Rory Gardiner)The epic original mosaic by Ethiopian artist Afewerk Tekle, and its accompanying ceramic tiles, was completely replaced. About 13 million new tiles were fabricated and reinstalled to match exactly the original mosaic. Original windows were swapped out with contemporary, high-performance glazing systems to help with energy efficiency and security. New rainwater systems and dome roof sheeting was also installed.Greening the BlueThe remarkable Plenary Hall, the core of Africa Hall, was fully restored. It can now accommodate more delegates from African Union member states. Plenary Halls seating layout was reconfigured, so it can provide space for 55 member states, instead of 32, the original number. It also comes fully equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology, a large curved LED screen for live broadcasts, and lingual reinterpretation facilities.Afewerk Tekles famous mosaic was fully replaced by Tekles grandson, Emmanuel Thomas. (Rory Gardiner)A large mural by Nenne Sanguineti Poggi, an Italian painter, was also restored. (Courtesy Architectus Conrad Gargett)Outside, significant upgrades were made to the exterior fountains, garden beds, and stairs. Many original artworks that were installed in 1961 were also restored, most presciently the massive stained glass artwork by Tekle. Tekles stained glass was restored by Emmanuel Thomas, Tekles grandson. A large mural by Nenne Sanguineti Poggi, an Italian painter, was also restored. African Fauna, an original floor mosaic in the rotunda space by Asmara, Eritrea artist Ceramica Tebacchi, had been previously removed in 2004, but was reconstructed and put back in place. The architects looked to original drawings and photographic evidence to make that happen.A floor mosaic by Asmara, Eritrea artist Ceramica Tebacchi was restored. (Rory Gardiner)All in all, more than 500 bespoke, original furniture pieces, custom designed by Mezzdimi, were also restored, and placed back into their original positions from 1961. Architectus Conrad Gargett also designed a new museum and exhibition space inside Africa Hall that tells the buildings story, and how it played an important role in shaping modern African history.This exhibition space is linked to a new, separate visitors center, car parking, a bus drop-off zone, and a ground floor cafe that mimics the original 1960s interiors. New service spaces were also added to the rooftop, and a new external lift core was added with service to the Congo Building. The additions are clad in zinc shingles that echo Africa Halls mosaics.More than 500 original furniture pieces and artworks were placed in their original positions from 1961. (Rory Gardiner)(Rory Gardiner)Africa Halls renovation was part of the UNs Greening the Blue sustainability initiative, and the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy that ensures all UN facilities are universally accessible.
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