In its early decades, the ­Ethiopian capital, founded in 1886, witnessed a very specific form of ­architecture. At the beginning of the East African country’s first ­urbanisation process, a mixture of vernacular knowledge and a new cosmopolitan mindset led to an archi­tectural type that local professionals refer to as the ‘Addis ­Ababa Style’: Pavilion-like buildings of different sizes, made of stone, earth, and wood, characterised by expressive pinched roofs, generous verandas with curtain walls, and a high degree of detailing. Today, those graceful, ­appropriate, and nature-based buildings are under threat of being swallowed ...

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Ten Ethiopian architects - from different stages of their careers - were giving me insights in their practices. They were talking extensively about the current building culture in Addis Ababa, about sustainability and what makes Ethiopian architecture different from architecture elsewhere.

"Gründerzeit Reloaded"

Die Problematik der Unterbringung von Flüchtlingen darf nicht separat vom Thema des Sozialen Wohnungsbaus betrachtet werden.

"Vernacular Here&Now"

The Gurague-House with its dome-like roof and its earth flooring is built communally by excellent builders. The wooden roof is put under tension in order to make it long lasting.