African Design Magazine ADM #36 December 2017 | Page 19

Images: The Kenyatta
International Conference
Centre in Nairobi, 1967
Flourishing from the 1950's to the mid-1970's,
Brutalism played an integral role in helping
Africa states celebrate independence through a
structure revolution.
Modernism with a dab of Brutalism was a
reactive movement that focused on pulling away
the over-worked façades, while showcasing the
truth and realities of society.
In Africa, Brutulism was seen as the perfect tool
in cementing authority from newly formed
governments, while exhibiting to the world a
sense of urban wellness and re-development.
From Toberone shaped exhibition centres, to
giant lily-bud auditoriums architecture, Africa
has its fair share of stark concrete type structures
that excludes urban domination and
independence.
The Kenyatta International Conference
Centre in Nairobi, 1967:
The conference centre was initiated by
independent Kenya's rst president, Jomo
Kenyatta, as a luxury headquarter for the ruling
Kanu party.
Designed by Norwegian architect Karl Henrik
Nøstvik, 1967-73
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