Modernist architecture in Asmara, Eritrea

Speaker:

• Dr Edward Denison, Teaching Fellow, The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London

Event details:

• Date: Wednesday 9th September, 2015
• Time: 6pm to 8pm
• Location: Africa Research Institute, 55 Tufton St, London, SW1P 3QL
• Drinks and light refreshments will be served
• Twitter hashtag: #ModernistAsmara

Perched on a rocky highland plateau 2,300m above sea level, Asmara may seem an unlikely location for an architectural masterpiece, but Eritrea's capital is home to an array of iconic buildings, such as the Fiat Tagliero petrol station.

The locally-based Asmara Heritage Project (AHP) is currently preparing an application to UNESCO for the city to be accepted onto the World Heritage List.

Dr Edward Denison has studied the architectural heritage of Asmara for two decades and is assisting the AHP in compiling the nomination dossier to be presented to UNESCO in 2016.

Join us on Wednesday 9 September to hear Dr Denison present the history of Asmara’s modernist architecture, and examine the role this unique heritage has to play in Eritrea’s future.