Home / Arts and Entertainment / Africa Hall Wins Global Modernism Prize
Africa Hall Wins Global Modernism Prize
16 Feb
Summary
- Africa Hall, Addis Ababa, honored with World Monuments Fund/Knoll Modernism prize.
- The historic building hosted the founding meeting of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963.
- A decade-long restoration project costing £42m was completed in 2024.
Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, a significant architectural achievement of African modernism designed by Arturo Mezzedimi, has received the World Monuments Fund/Knoll Modernism prize. Completed in 1961, the hall famously hosted the 1963 founding meeting of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), a pivotal moment for newly independent African nations.
The historic venue, commissioned by Emperor Haile Selassie, embodied a spirit of optimism and pan-African ambition. Over the decades, it fell into disrepair before undergoing a £42 million, ten-year restoration, concluding in 2024. This extensive renovation aimed to preserve Mezzedimi's original vision while enhancing the building's functionality and structural integrity.
This restoration marks the first time a building in Africa has won the biennial prize. The project meticulously addressed structural degradation, reglazed the facade for energy efficiency, restored Mezzedimi's custom furniture, and enhanced seismic resilience. The rejuvenation of Africa Hall underscores its continuing importance as a venue for diplomacy and cultural exchange, celebrating its architectural legacy and historical significance.
