Lesley Lokko Launches Nomadic African Studio to Shape the Future of Architecture Across the Continent

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Lesley Lokko Launches the Nomadic African Studio to Reimagine Architecture in Africa

Celebrated Ghanaian-Scottish architect, author, and academic Lesley Lokko has officially launched the Nomadic African Studio, an ambitious new architectural education program that aims to spark creativity, decolonise design practices, and redefine architecture education across Africa.

The program, developed under the umbrella of the African Futures Institute (AFI), will take the form of annual architecture studios and workshops held in rotating locations across the continent. Each studio will serve as a hub for innovation, cultural exchange, and critical thinking among the next generation of African architects.

A Vision Born in Venice

According to the AFI website, the idea for the Nomadic African Studio was first conceived during a casual dinner at Il Ridotto in Venice, shortly after the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale. A group of six thinkers and creatives discussed how to continue the Biennale’s momentum by bringing architectural dialogue directly to African soil.

While Accra—home to the African Futures Institute—was a natural contender for the program’s first sessions, the group quickly realized that grounding the initiative in themes rather than fixed locations could foster broader exploration and inclusion. As discussions evolved, the concept of a “nomadic” studio took root.

From Concept to Continental Collaboration

Over the following two years, the team engaged in a rich exchange of workshops, Zoom sessions, in-person meetings, and transcontinental collaborations, culminating in the formation of a faculty and international advisory panel.

Core planning and brainstorming took place in cities such as Accra, London, Fez, and Dakar, reflecting the program’s deep commitment to both pan-Africanism and global inclusivity.

Upcoming Studio Locations

After the program’s launch in Fez, Morocco, future studios are already planned for: Abidjan, Ivory Coast Johannesburg, South Africa Accra, Ghana Port Louis, Mauritius

Each site will explore themes of decolonisation, decarbonisation, and design justice, offering participants immersive learning experiences that reflect both local context and global challenges.

Empowering Emerging Voices

Lesley Lokko, who also curated the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale, has long been a vocal advocate for disrupting traditional architectural narratives. Her new initiative welcomes graduate students, early-career academics, recent grads, and emerging practitioners, who are ready to challenge the status quo.

Applications were first invited for the Biennale College Architettura, held from June 25 to July 22, 2023, in Venice, which served as a precursor and proof of concept for the studio’s global vision.