The African Architectural and Urban History Network (AFRAUHN), founded by Prof Nnamdi Elleh (Wits School of Architecture and Planning, Johannesburg); Prof Murray Fraser (Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London); Prof Ikem Stanley Okoye (Department of Art History, University of Delaware) and Prof Ola Uduku (School of Architecture, University of Liverpool). AFRAUHN was launched at the 18th Venice Biennale Architecture in September 2023, and entered into further action with the conference „Ongoing and Emerging Discourses on African Architectural Practices that took place in South Africa from July 3 to 9, 2024.

Video credits: Niyaaz Aysen

The conference, organised by Prof Nnamdi Elleh & team from Wits University together with Prof Murray Fraser and Prof Eva Branscome from the Bartlett School of Architecture, started on Wits Campus in Johannesburg and continued in the quiet wilderness of Wits Rural Facility in Limpopo. About 70 architects, architectural historians, design tutors, curators, planners, heritage experts, political scientists, philosophers, and sociologists from 16 African countries, Europe, the UK, and North America were offered the opportunity to discuss their current work and research. We were happy to enjoy a sense of community and a spirit of sharing in these rich days of exchange and networking. A beautiful achievement! The conference handbook can be found here, more news from AFRAUHN will be out soon.