African Architecture: Evolution and Transformation [Hardcover]

Nnamdi Elleh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996

From Egypt to Ethiopia, Botswana to Burundi, and Zimbabwe to Cameroon, this landmark book presents the first complete and definitive study of African architecture from antiquity to the present. Featuring hundreds of museum-quality photographs and drawings from archival and modern sources, the book offers architects, architectural and art historians, social scientists, and all those interested in world architecture with an ordinary account of the evolution, transformation, and development of architecture across the African continent. Elleh defines the indigenous, Islamic, and Western roots of African architecture, and goes on to examine how these roots influence the architecture of each region in Africa. The author evaluates historical, traditional, and contemporary architecture by examing the various cultural groups of North, Central, East, South, and Western Africa from ethnic, climatic, political, regional, economic, religious, and historical perspectives. In addition, a final chapter takes a revealing look at modern architecture, urbanism, and urbanization throughout Africa. At once a work of convincing scholarship and a beautifully illustrated tour of African architecture past and present, this is a pioneering book that brings a heretofore rarely examined body of work dramatically to life.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 382 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 1 edition (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070215065
• ISBN-13: 978-0070215061
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,504,876 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A book that needs to be written better, August 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: African Architecture: Evolution and Transformation (Hardcover)

Elleh's effort is well-worthy of praise for its scope, but lacks in scholarly quality. Her triple-heritage theory is interesting but poorly-applied in many instances throughout the book, especially because of the broad timeline the book attempts to address. The images are marvelous, and inclusive, though some are incongrous to the articles they accompany. This is a very basic book, good for a coffee table or an introductory course on the subject, but one I could not recommend for the more serious scholar.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very necessary book for Architectural academia., October 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: African Architecture: Evolution and Transformation (Hardcover)

This book moves vernacular architecture from the backwaters of academia to the vangard. I was impressed by the authors academic and 'open' style. He has given the architectural student and professional population the opportunity to both explore African architecture and their own perhaps jaundiced view of the region. Everyone should come out a winner after reading this book. I say give me more!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An architectural tour de force, May 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: African Architecture: Evolution and Transformation (Hardcover)

This is a book that is well worth buying, whether you are an undergrad or a professor in Architecture, art, design anthopology or history. I will be using this book as a reference book. I wish this book was around fifteen years ago when I was studying architecture. I say, three cheers to the author.