Deconstructing
Afrikahuis
Sept - Dec 2024
Alien to the surrounding 19th century Amsterdam buildings, Joop van Stigt’s 1968 Afrikahuis both stands out and hides in plain sight.
This project compiles various tools designed to help navigate its concealed geometry. The ultimate goal is increasing the building’s visibility in the neighborhood.
First, I study the ground floor, the concrete skeleton that upholds the wooden church. For a precise approach, I remove its walls and ceiling to expose it to the public.
Then, I catalogue its constituent elements and their relationship. The focus becomes that of a lexicon of the building and how to decipher it.
Lastly, I abstract the volumes, applying structuralist dichotomies such as inside-outside, positive-negative, and ultimately, visible-invisible.
1)
selected page from booklet;
floorplan, sections and elevations
of Afrikahuis’ groundfloor
selected page from booklet;
floorplan, sections and elevations
of Afrikahuis’ groundfloor
2)
booklet on top of metal mesh stand,
designed in the abstracted shape
of a column
booklet on top of metal mesh stand,
designed in the abstracted shape
of a column
3)
selcted pages from booklet;
fieldnotes in English, Dutch & Spanish
on the back of site photos
selcted pages from booklet;
fieldnotes in English, Dutch & Spanish
on the back of site photos
4)
3D printed negatives and positives
of benches, columns or beams
shown on site on for the group exhibiton
Afrikahuis: Speculative Projects
3D printed negatives and positives
of benches, columns or beams
shown on site on for the group exhibiton
Afrikahuis: Speculative Projects
5)
2D shapes generated by the elements
of the groundfloor beams, columns, benches,
collaged in various compositions
2D shapes generated by the elements
of the groundfloor beams, columns, benches,
collaged in various compositions