Architecture of Peter Rich: Conversations with Africa

Peter Richs career is a lifelong attempt to find a contemporary, yet uniquely African mode of design. This book explores his work, which combines African influences with an environmental awareness aligned to Modernist principles, including documentation, publication, and exhibition of Ndebele art and architecture, collaborative community-oriented designs, and timbrel vaulted structures.

Format: Hardback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 21 October 2020
Publisher: Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd

Internationally renowned, Peter Rich's career represents a lifelong attempt to find a contemporary, yet uniquely African mode of design. This book follows the chronology of his work, which emerges from a fascination with African indigenous settlements, including his documentation, publication, and exhibition of Ndebele art and architecture, and his friendship with sculptor Jackson Hlungwani. It explores what Rich calls "African Space Making" and its forms of complex symmetry; various collaborative community-oriented designs of the Apartheid and post-Apartheid periods, especially Mandela's Yard in Alexandra township; and finally, his more recent timbrel vaulted structures, constructed from low-tech hand-pressed soil tiles derived from his highly innovative and award-winning work at Mapungubwe. The book shows how Rich combines African influences with an environmental awareness aligned to Modernist principles.

Peter Rich's Career: A Quest for Contemporary African Design

Peter Rich, a renowned architect and designer, has dedicated his life to exploring and creating a contemporary style that is deeply rooted in African culture. His career spans decades, and this book offers a comprehensive account of his work.

Rich's fascination with African indigenous settlements began early on, and he dedicated himself to documenting and studying these communities. His documentation included detailed drawings, photographs, and recordings, which he used to publish and exhibit his findings. One of his most significant contributions was his documentation and promotion of Ndebele art and architecture.

Ndebele art is a vibrant and intricate style that originated in southern Africa. It is characterized by its use of geometric patterns, bright colors, and intricate sculptures. Rich's work in this field included publishing books, organizing exhibitions, and collaborating with local artists to preserve and promote Ndebele art.

In addition to his work on Ndebele art, Rich also explored other aspects of African design. He was particularly interested in the concept of "African Space Making" and its forms of complex symmetry. He believed that African design should reflect the unique spatial and cultural aspects of the continent.

One of Rich's most notable collaborative projects was Mandela's Yard in Alexandra township. Mandela's Yard was a community-oriented design that aimed to create a sustainable and inclusive space for the residents of Alexandra. Rich worked closely with the community to develop a design that incorporated traditional African elements and modernist principles.

The design featured a series of interconnected buildings that were constructed from locally sourced materials. The buildings were designed to be energy-efficient and to promote sustainable living practices. Rich also incorporated traditional African architectural elements, such as the use of mud bricks and thatched roofs, to create a sense of continuity with the surrounding environment.

Another significant aspect of Rich's work is his use of low-tech hand-pressed soil tiles. These tiles are derived from his highly innovative and award-winning work at Mapungubwe. Mapungubwe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is located in South Africa and is known for its ancient ruins.

Rich's work at Mapungubwe involved the use of traditional African construction techniques and materials to create a modernist architectural masterpiece. He used hand-pressed soil tiles to create timbrel vaulted structures that were both visually stunning and environmentally sustainable. The tiles are made from locally sourced soil and are pressed by hand using traditional techniques.

In conclusion, Peter Rich's career represents a lifelong attempt to find a contemporary, yet uniquely African mode of design. His work in Ndebele art, African Space Making, collaborative community-oriented designs, and his innovative use of low-tech hand-pressed soil tiles have all contributed to his reputation as a leading architect and designer. This book offers a comprehensive account of his work and provides a valuable insight into the rich and diverse world of African design.

Weight: 910g
Dimension: 197 x 259 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781848222571