dot.ateliers/
Adjaye Associates
Project Details
Location(City/Country):
Accra / GhanaTipology:
CulturalYear (Design/Construction):
- / 2022Area (Net/Gross):
560 m2 / 6030 m2Operational Carbon emissions (B6) kgCO2e/m2/y:
-Embodied Carbon emissions (A1-A3) kgCO2e/m2:
-- Double envelope rammed earth façade, harnessing the natural insulating properties of local materials. This approach fosters a healthy environment and significantly reduces the carbon footprint.
- The building is conceived as stacked volumes, allowing for adaptability in the use of internal spaces. This promotes a sustainable approach to artistic production and efficient use of space.
- The inclusion of an external garden and rest areas encourages local biodiversity and improves air quality, providing an inspiring environment for creativity and social interaction.
dot.ateliers is a community-oriented and ecologically responsive destination that offers a robust space for artistic production. Located within the Osu waterfront neighborhood in Accra, this artist residency is conceived as an “architectural tool” for rethinking the possibilities of sustainable design. The monolithic three-story structure serves as an incubator, showroom, and gathering point that advances both the Ghanaian arts scene and architectural innovation.
Nestled within a midblock plot, a perforated wooden structure offers a tranquil entry from the busy street. Behind, a three-story structure rises from the earth. Designed as three stacked volumes, each floor expands in scale and height to accommodate internal programming, from the external garden, café, office, and library to the studio and gallery space. Enclosing a circulation spine, the structure utilizes a double envelope rammed earth façade which extends from the ground floor to the highest level, leveraging the natural insulating properties of local earth to foster healthy environments, ecological sensitivity, and a low carbon footprint.
Maintaining visual connections to the emerging waterfront neighborhood, each level features sculpted apertures that frame views of both the ocean and immediate urban context. Encompassing the Accra context, including glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean and Osu Castle, the art produced and showcased within dot.ateliers is in constant dialogue with the distinctiveness of its surroundings, reflecting the essence of Accra to a local and international audience.
- Design Architect
Adjaye Associates - Client
Amoako Foundation - General Contractor
RACEG - Landscape Architect
Kristodia Ntorinkansah Landscaping - Hive Earth
Rammed Earth Consultants - Facade Consultant
Earth Structures - Mechanical & Electrical Engineer
Synergy MEP Limited - Lighting Consultant
Steensen Varming - Cost Consultant
SKOL - IT/AV/Security
Truedata - Photos: Adjaye Associates