Villages of West Africa – Hosted by CSI East Bay
Join CSI East Bay-Oakland for a virtual presentation by Steven and Cathi House, of House + House Architects, on their book: “Villages of West Africa: an Intimate Journey Across Time”.
From Steven & Cathi’s book description:
We are excited to announce the publication of our new book, “Villages of West Africa: an intimate journey across time”. It was one of the great joys of our lives to take this remarkable journey and meet the warm and generous inhabitants of this extraordinary region.
As architects, photographers, artists and educators, we found in West Africa a world only dimly imagined prior. West Africa is an ancient land of stark contrasts, immeasurable beauty, vibrant colors and extraordinary people. It is home to legendary places at the edge of the world, camel caravans, endless sand dunes, searing heat, colorful markets and exotic peoples. Situated between the Sahara desert and the Atlantic Ocean, West Africa has been at the crossroads of history for over 1,000 years. We felt the immensity of history that has touched these places and the limits of life bound by tradition, economics and the physical challenges of basic survival.
With over 500 evocative photographs and flourishes of poetry, this anthology of West African cultures across seven countries illuminates the remarkable beauty of the people, land, villages, colorful textiles, and vernacular architecture. This 10-inch square, 304 page book celebrates the artisanship of tribal people who use building methods that are both practical and ingenious and that respond not just to local climate, materials and topography, but also to the needs of the inhabitants with poetic insight, creating environments that are stimulating and sustainable. With their clarity, function and beauty, these villages are living models of what community can be.
“Villages of West Africa: an Intimate Journey Across Time” is available for purchase at the following links: Schiffer Books | Amazon. If you would like to purchase a signed copy of the book, please contact Steven House at steven@houseandhouse.com
HOUSE + HOUSE ARCHITECTS
Steven & Cathi House
For over 35 years House + House Architects have crafted intimate, personal architecture reflecting their passion for site specific, well choreographed buildings throughout California, Mexico and the Caribbean. In 1989 Architecture magazine featured House + House in their ‘Discovery’ issue on emerging talent. Since then they have received over 50 design awards and their work has been featured in numerous publications including two monographs, House + House Architects: Choreographing Space and Houses in the Sun: light movement embrace.
Steven and Cathi’s extensive studies of vernacular architecture were published in a very personal memoir Mediterranean Villages: an architectural journey. Their most recently published book, “Villages of West Africa: an intimate journey across time”, documents the people, land, villages, textiles and vernacular architecture across seven countries in West Africa.
Steven and Cathi have lectured throughout the United States and Mexico, served on the Advisory Council for the College of Architecture at Virginia Tech and established CASA, The Center for Architecture, Sustainability + Art, a study abroad program based in Mexico.
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