Revision 1
COMMEMORATING THE LIBERIAN EXPERIENCE
02-14-06
Table of Contents
Historical Perspective and Timeline
Section 1: Diploma Project Introduction
Diploma project Proposal
Introduction:
Thesis:
Concept:
Building Type:
Section 2: Document of existing conditions
Narrative site Description
Historical Site Data
Context
Maps and Photography
Typological Surveys
Applicable zoning info
Section 3: Research
General Research
The concept of Memory-memorial
Celebrating the dead
The traditional architecture::
Precedent research (Architects, Building Type, case studies
National Precedents- Liberia’s Monuments:
International Precedents
The approach
Section 4 : Site Analysis
Commemorating the Liberian Experience
Historical Perspective and timeline
Liberia was founded as a result of the formation of the American Colonization Society (ACS) in 1817 to send free African-Americans to Africa as an alternative to remaining in the segregated United States. In 1822, the society established on the west coast of Africa a colony that in 1847 became the independent nation of Liberia. By 1867, the society had sent more than 13,000 emigrants. The following is a summary fly-threw of Liberia’s historical timeline which are part of which highlights the root cause of the 23 years (from 1980) of political -civil conflict:
1904- The Liberian government instituted an administrative system that brought indigenous peoples into an indirect political relationship with the central government through their own paid officials.
1919- Liberia was one of the nations to sign the League of Nations covenant after World War I.
1929- An International Commission investigated charges of slavery and forced labor in Liberia. A year later, the committee could not substantiate such charges according to international law. They did find, however, that Liberian officials, including the republic's vice president, profited from indigenous people's forced labor.
1944- William V. S. Tubman was elected to the first of seven terms as Liberian president.
1946- The right to vote and participate in elections was extended to Liberia's indigenous peoples.
1958- Liberian representatives attended the first conference of independent African nations.
1967- Liberian officials served on the Organization of African Unity's Consultation Committee on Nigeria's civil war.
1971- President Tubman died in office.
1972- William R. Tolbert, Jr. was elected to Liberia's presidency after finishing Tubman's unexpired term.
1979- On April 14, a rally protesting the increase of rice prices ended in riot.
1980- A military coup led by Samuel K. Doe, a Liberian of non-American descent, assassinated President Tolbert and overthrew the government that had held sway over Liberia since 1847. This ended Liberia's first republic.
1985- Civilian rule was restored.
1986- A new constitution established the second republic of Liberia. Samuel K. Doe, the 1980 coup leader, retained power as head of state.
1989- Charles Taylor, and his followers toppled the Doe-led government. This action helped precipitate a civil war. Various ethnic factions fought for control of the nation.
1990- Rebel forces executed Liberia's former head of state, Samuel K. Doe, who had overthrown the first republic a decade before.
The West African Peacekeeping force was formed to maintain order in the region.
1995- The 16-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) brokered a peace treaty between Liberia's warring factions. An interim State Council established a tentative timetable for elections.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) re-negotiated peace.
1997- Charles Taylor was elected president of the third republic of Liberia.
The period between 1989 to 1997 brought worse and unimaginable suffering upon the Liberians. With Charles Taylor in office, the war and destruction of lives and properties continued to escalate until 2004 when the ECOWAS supervised committee oversaw the appointment of a Transitional Government lead by Nyude Briant. On January 16, 2006, Liberians made history again when Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was inaugurated as Africa’s First Elected female President and third in the world.
Section 1: Diploma Project Introduction
Diploma project Proposal: The Design and Construction of a National Memorial and Museum as a first phase toward an over all Urban Revitalization and Reconstruction.
Introduction: The last 23 years hold indelible and ugly memories. Nights of torture, the site of dead loved ones, the execution of Government officials and private citizens, the fear of bullets, and a lots more. Inspite of all these, it is incumbent upon the Liberians themselves to transform all the hurts and memories into something positive. This is while the proposal for a National Memorial to be situated within Monrovia is essential. The idea is inspired by the depth of memories I carry personally, and inspiration gathered from memorials around the world and those who, through critical conditions of war or natural disaster, a see commemoration as a stepping stone to remembering the past, to mending the broken pieces, and reinvigorating the patriotic spirit. I am inspired by Current efforts by the Tsunami disaster regions, especially Thailand, to introduce an international competition for the design of a national memorial. I give my respect to the works of Michael Arad for his design of the World Trade Center Memorial. The United States hosts a vast culture of National Memorials, precedents can also be found in Japan ( Hiroshima, and the Nitobe Memorial Garden), the Holocust Memorial in Germany, and many others. I drew strength from analyzing the writing and works of Joan Ockman’s nine points on monumentality, Renzo Piano, Casa Del Fascio, and Aldo Rossi who described Monuments as the life giver to the city through Memory ( Arch. Of the city). In defining Memory, he said those that stand the passage of time become monuments. In this research we’ve realized that memorials and monuments are unique and specific across culture and are more expressive of the character as symbolism. Because Memorials express the emotions and culture, we’ve taken particular interest in the researching regional arts, works of regional Architects, materials and components, as well as investigating how Africans remember and celebrate the dead as hypothetical answers to the study of memorial and adherent to the concept of critical regionalism.
Thesis: Recapturing the past 23 years of critical and devastating events in the Liberian civil crisis could inspire unity, education and growth by establishing a National commemoration.
Concept: The memorial Center would be an iconic stature that would remind everyone of the plight of the Liberian people, with a psychological, spiritual, and physical impact to heal, educate, and rejuvenate the spirit of unity. There they’ll remember, morn, forgive, mend, and educate each other about the deadly impact of war and rage. It symbolizes the Liberian experience. It captures the experiences and sensitivity of the people with the intent to unify.
“The lessons learned must remain as a grave reminder of what must allow to happen again to any group” (Daniel K. Inouye, U.S. Congressman and Senator).
The Memorial should be dedicated to those who suffered pains and torture of the civil war and those who lost their lives, to serve as a reminder that they should never seek to resolve through violence again. Cultural influence: celebration of the dead.
Building Type: This project shall constitute a national Memorial Grounds and Museum.
Section 2: Document of existing conditions
Narrative site Description: the proposed site is located on the corner of Lynch Street and Broad Street, across from what used to be the Chinese Restaurant, and adjacent to the Roxi Cinema. The site which is intended to include the existing Roxi Cinema, is 233 feet along Broad Street and 187 feet along Lynch Street side with Carey Street on the Southside and Buchannan Street on the West of it. The elevation lies 8 (eight feet) below Broad Street.
Historical Site Data: The site has never been developed and half of which is uninhabited currently, considered a dead field and a negative impact to the center city. The rear half facing Carey street contains a few run down shacks inhabited by small shops. Because of its location within the historic buffer, and down town, the need to transform these conditions becomes more expedient. Just North of this site are the famous True-wig party headquarter called the E.J. Roye Building, the proposed National Bank of Liberia, and the Telecommunication Center. One block west of the proposed Bank of Liberia is the all time historic Centennial Pavillion. A block from this Pavillion, is the first church built by free Slaves, settlers from the United States when they arrived in 1821. Two blocks away is the old Executive Mansion and former office of the presidents during the early Birth of the Nation. Going back to the site under proposal, just east of it, parallel to Lynch Street, is the old basketball sporting center called the Sports Commission.
Context: three building styles could be ascribed. The first is the old colonial housing design, Georgian and Victorian style-post and pillows, made of wooden structure and enclosed by zinc, which were introduced by the Americo-Liberians from the United States. The second are those considered as Modern Architecture built around the late 60’s by MIT and Harvard Educated Architects Winston Richards and Aaron Milton and a host of other post modern Architects who sprung up in the 70’s and 80’s. Third, Half of the Historic facilities are classical designs . Inspite of these, what Liberia lacks is an Architectural and Building culture fully standardized and codified. The lack of standards is the reason for an underdeveloped, undefined, and nonintegrated vernacular architecture, an example of which a Liberian Anthrologist and Historian, Dr. Siwuliwa Somah referred to as the Siko. This undeveloped vernacular which we consider fourth building style is typically responsible for the urban sprawl all around the city, some of which currently exists on part of this proposed site, because of it’s cheap and easily available materials.
Maps and Photography
Aerial View of Central Monrovia
The West African Region
Liberia is located on the West coast of Africa. About 43, 000 square miles, it stands between the French speaking Ivory Coast on the East, French speaking Guinea on the North, English speaking Sierra Leone on the West, and The Atlantic Ocean on the South.
Applicable zoning info
With a little complication defining the district probably because of the Government’s negligence to enforce or perhaps develop zoning ordinances, the center city and district under investigation has no defined height and bulk limitation, there are mixed and multiple uses, and this include retails, residential, and government offices, which are responsible for the strain on the current conditions of the street edges, including the existing store fronts, the streetscapes and hardscape, and sewage and drainage conditions. (next page)
Section 3 Research
General Research
The concept of Memory-memorial: As an attempt to fully comprehend the nature, impact and concept of this project, the American Heritage Dictionary describes a memorial as a monument or a holiday intended to celebrate or honor the memory of an event or a person. It is therefore an expression of love and respect of a person, of course in the Liberians’ situation, thousands of people, a tribute to their lives as a source of comfort to those that are still around. A Monument is a historic element that would be around for many years. A monument makes a statement that would be read or understood by generations to come. It also celebrates the accomplishments as a people to lay aside ethnic differences. A monument should be personal, however, since this is not of one particular person, it could perhaps expresses the collective personality of the Liberian people and culture, and yet it can be many things to many people based on their individual experience since the struggle.
Celebrating the dead: With the above notion, we intend to explore how the dead is remembered and celebrated and it’s symbolism. The memory and celebration depends on ethnicity, religion, socio-economic, affiliations. Ethnic groups in Liberia are divided into four major categories: the kwa, Mende, Bassa, and Congor (carribean and Americo-Liberians). The Kwa group are characterized by a mourning period. The believe that the dead is translated into one of the four Kingdoms, of which is called Gion, marked by a animal sacrifice , and money along with speeches. The rising of the sun determines the orientation of the head in the tomb which is a Pharoahic symbism. For another Kwa tribe, as well as many West African Tribes, the pouring of Libation is a symbol of respect and honour to the one who’s gone before. The Mende Group believe in Feasting after the Burial. In Many Urban Environments, religion takes Precedent over the traditional practices. The churches Mourn their dead by hosting night services and the lighting of candles are familiar scenes.
The traditional architecture:: Historical significant of the Liberian vernacular Architecture is critical to the regionalism of the Memorial and to represent the cultural efficacy. The pointed hut, called Siko (Dr. Somah) is one of the oldest traditional architecture in the country dating as far back as the pre-Republic. A cylindrical shape hut, sometimes with no window, with structural make-ups such as wooden posts, bamboo stakes, clay, and palm branches as the roofing element, the roof is characterized as an inverted cone with a pointed spire. Typical to this are other traditional houses of similar nature in materials. Speaking of materials, the developing and fabricating of cheaper local materials is of essence in these regards. With the abundance of natural resources, local raw materials seems to be one of the most unexplored, un-researched, and undeveloped industry within the country. Since the Mining of Iron ore in the early 1960’s, a combination of vital minerals, limestone, and granites were discovered and unutilized, because no one studied the usability of those minerals. Liberia has natural resources to produce any form of culture stones, marble, ceramic, vinyl, acoustics, structural steel, gold tiles, all engineered woods and boards, and many others.
Precedent research (Architects, Building Type, case studies): The following represent international and national precedents which are significant to informing this project.
National Precedents- Liberia’s Monuments:
The Monument by R. Vanjah Richards, Symbolizes reaching heights together.
The pan African Plaza, Monrovia, Designed by Milton & Richards, 1981
The Lutheran Church Massacre in 1990.
Liberia’s First President, 1847, Joseph Jenkins Roberts. The Black Carvings on the base of the of the Monument depicts slaves being free from their enslavement.
Below Monument at the Centennial Pavillion and the E.Roye Bldg. By Winston Richards.
The Remains of the good old E.J. Roye blgd., Headquarters of the True Wig Party.
The one time glamorous Temple Justice lies in ruins.
The Capitol Building. Houses the Legislature Branch
The executive Mansion, office of the President. “The Love of Liberty brought us here”.
Monrovia City Hall
Liberia’s Shelled Foreign Ministry By Milton and Richards
Vahmoma House near Monrovia
The National Housing Bank, Monrovia
Nkrumah’s Monument in Ghana, West Africa Monument of the Great Pharoahs
Japanese-American Memorial November 9, 2000
Nitobe Memorial Garden
“A place of reflection, where each step reveals a new harmony, the garden is designed to suggest a span of time - a day, a week or a lifetime - with a beginning, choice of paths, and ending. Although it is appreciated by all who visit, it is highly recommended Nitobe visitors take advantage of tours”
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France.
German Memorial World War II
Melborn, Australia
Battle of Stallinggrad
India Gate, New Delhi
Monument of the peoples Hero, Berlin
The Approach
The following expresses how I intend to translate all of my research on the “ Liberian experience and celebration of the dead to develop a meaning, functional architecture.
African Expression of the Language of Form. Architype: the making of man
Conic tower and site Plan
The People
Women Gathering
Bibliography
Aldo Rossi, Architecture of the city, 1931, New York.
Attillo Terragni, The Terragni Atlas-Built Architecture, 1960
Staudenraus, P.J., The African Colonization Movement, 1816 - 1865. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961; reprint, New York: Octagon Books, 1980.
J. Walton, 1953 in the Book "African Village".
Boley, G.E. Saigbe, Liberia: The Rise and Fall of the First Republic. New York: MacMillan Publishers, 1983
Cassell, C. Abayomi, Liberia: The History of the First African Republic. New York: Fountainhead Publishers', Inc, 1970.
Dunn, Elwood D., and Hails, Svend E., Historical Dictionary of Liberia. African Historical Dictionaries Series. Metuchen: Scarecrow Press, 1985.
Johnston, Harry, Liberia. London: Hutchinson, 1906.
Liebenow, J. Gus, Liberia: the Quest for Democracy. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1987.
Nelson, Harold D., ed., Liberia: A Country Study. Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1985.
Shick, Tom W., Behold the Promised Land: The History of Afro-American Settler Society in Nineteenth-Century Liberia. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1980
Smith, James Wesley, Sojourners in Search of Freedom: The Settlement of Liberia of Black Americans. Lanham: University Press of America, 1987.
02-14-06
Table of Contents
Historical Perspective and Timeline
Section 1: Diploma Project Introduction
Diploma project Proposal
Introduction:
Thesis:
Concept:
Building Type:
Section 2: Document of existing conditions
Narrative site Description
Historical Site Data
Context
Maps and Photography
Typological Surveys
Applicable zoning info
Section 3: Research
General Research
The concept of Memory-memorial
Celebrating the dead
The traditional architecture::
Precedent research (Architects, Building Type, case studies
National Precedents- Liberia’s Monuments:
International Precedents
The approach
Section 4 : Site Analysis
Commemorating the Liberian Experience
Historical Perspective and timeline
Liberia was founded as a result of the formation of the American Colonization Society (ACS) in 1817 to send free African-Americans to Africa as an alternative to remaining in the segregated United States. In 1822, the society established on the west coast of Africa a colony that in 1847 became the independent nation of Liberia. By 1867, the society had sent more than 13,000 emigrants. The following is a summary fly-threw of Liberia’s historical timeline which are part of which highlights the root cause of the 23 years (from 1980) of political -civil conflict:
1904- The Liberian government instituted an administrative system that brought indigenous peoples into an indirect political relationship with the central government through their own paid officials.
1919- Liberia was one of the nations to sign the League of Nations covenant after World War I.
1929- An International Commission investigated charges of slavery and forced labor in Liberia. A year later, the committee could not substantiate such charges according to international law. They did find, however, that Liberian officials, including the republic's vice president, profited from indigenous people's forced labor.
1944- William V. S. Tubman was elected to the first of seven terms as Liberian president.
1946- The right to vote and participate in elections was extended to Liberia's indigenous peoples.
1958- Liberian representatives attended the first conference of independent African nations.
1967- Liberian officials served on the Organization of African Unity's Consultation Committee on Nigeria's civil war.
1971- President Tubman died in office.
1972- William R. Tolbert, Jr. was elected to Liberia's presidency after finishing Tubman's unexpired term.
1979- On April 14, a rally protesting the increase of rice prices ended in riot.
1980- A military coup led by Samuel K. Doe, a Liberian of non-American descent, assassinated President Tolbert and overthrew the government that had held sway over Liberia since 1847. This ended Liberia's first republic.
1985- Civilian rule was restored.
1986- A new constitution established the second republic of Liberia. Samuel K. Doe, the 1980 coup leader, retained power as head of state.
1989- Charles Taylor, and his followers toppled the Doe-led government. This action helped precipitate a civil war. Various ethnic factions fought for control of the nation.
1990- Rebel forces executed Liberia's former head of state, Samuel K. Doe, who had overthrown the first republic a decade before.
The West African Peacekeeping force was formed to maintain order in the region.
1995- The 16-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) brokered a peace treaty between Liberia's warring factions. An interim State Council established a tentative timetable for elections.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) re-negotiated peace.
1997- Charles Taylor was elected president of the third republic of Liberia.
The period between 1989 to 1997 brought worse and unimaginable suffering upon the Liberians. With Charles Taylor in office, the war and destruction of lives and properties continued to escalate until 2004 when the ECOWAS supervised committee oversaw the appointment of a Transitional Government lead by Nyude Briant. On January 16, 2006, Liberians made history again when Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was inaugurated as Africa’s First Elected female President and third in the world.
Section 1: Diploma Project Introduction
Diploma project Proposal: The Design and Construction of a National Memorial and Museum as a first phase toward an over all Urban Revitalization and Reconstruction.
Introduction: The last 23 years hold indelible and ugly memories. Nights of torture, the site of dead loved ones, the execution of Government officials and private citizens, the fear of bullets, and a lots more. Inspite of all these, it is incumbent upon the Liberians themselves to transform all the hurts and memories into something positive. This is while the proposal for a National Memorial to be situated within Monrovia is essential. The idea is inspired by the depth of memories I carry personally, and inspiration gathered from memorials around the world and those who, through critical conditions of war or natural disaster, a see commemoration as a stepping stone to remembering the past, to mending the broken pieces, and reinvigorating the patriotic spirit. I am inspired by Current efforts by the Tsunami disaster regions, especially Thailand, to introduce an international competition for the design of a national memorial. I give my respect to the works of Michael Arad for his design of the World Trade Center Memorial. The United States hosts a vast culture of National Memorials, precedents can also be found in Japan ( Hiroshima, and the Nitobe Memorial Garden), the Holocust Memorial in Germany, and many others. I drew strength from analyzing the writing and works of Joan Ockman’s nine points on monumentality, Renzo Piano, Casa Del Fascio, and Aldo Rossi who described Monuments as the life giver to the city through Memory ( Arch. Of the city). In defining Memory, he said those that stand the passage of time become monuments. In this research we’ve realized that memorials and monuments are unique and specific across culture and are more expressive of the character as symbolism. Because Memorials express the emotions and culture, we’ve taken particular interest in the researching regional arts, works of regional Architects, materials and components, as well as investigating how Africans remember and celebrate the dead as hypothetical answers to the study of memorial and adherent to the concept of critical regionalism.
Thesis: Recapturing the past 23 years of critical and devastating events in the Liberian civil crisis could inspire unity, education and growth by establishing a National commemoration.
Concept: The memorial Center would be an iconic stature that would remind everyone of the plight of the Liberian people, with a psychological, spiritual, and physical impact to heal, educate, and rejuvenate the spirit of unity. There they’ll remember, morn, forgive, mend, and educate each other about the deadly impact of war and rage. It symbolizes the Liberian experience. It captures the experiences and sensitivity of the people with the intent to unify.
“The lessons learned must remain as a grave reminder of what must allow to happen again to any group” (Daniel K. Inouye, U.S. Congressman and Senator).
The Memorial should be dedicated to those who suffered pains and torture of the civil war and those who lost their lives, to serve as a reminder that they should never seek to resolve through violence again. Cultural influence: celebration of the dead.
Building Type: This project shall constitute a national Memorial Grounds and Museum.
Section 2: Document of existing conditions
Narrative site Description: the proposed site is located on the corner of Lynch Street and Broad Street, across from what used to be the Chinese Restaurant, and adjacent to the Roxi Cinema. The site which is intended to include the existing Roxi Cinema, is 233 feet along Broad Street and 187 feet along Lynch Street side with Carey Street on the Southside and Buchannan Street on the West of it. The elevation lies 8 (eight feet) below Broad Street.
Historical Site Data: The site has never been developed and half of which is uninhabited currently, considered a dead field and a negative impact to the center city. The rear half facing Carey street contains a few run down shacks inhabited by small shops. Because of its location within the historic buffer, and down town, the need to transform these conditions becomes more expedient. Just North of this site are the famous True-wig party headquarter called the E.J. Roye Building, the proposed National Bank of Liberia, and the Telecommunication Center. One block west of the proposed Bank of Liberia is the all time historic Centennial Pavillion. A block from this Pavillion, is the first church built by free Slaves, settlers from the United States when they arrived in 1821. Two blocks away is the old Executive Mansion and former office of the presidents during the early Birth of the Nation. Going back to the site under proposal, just east of it, parallel to Lynch Street, is the old basketball sporting center called the Sports Commission.
Context: three building styles could be ascribed. The first is the old colonial housing design, Georgian and Victorian style-post and pillows, made of wooden structure and enclosed by zinc, which were introduced by the Americo-Liberians from the United States. The second are those considered as Modern Architecture built around the late 60’s by MIT and Harvard Educated Architects Winston Richards and Aaron Milton and a host of other post modern Architects who sprung up in the 70’s and 80’s. Third, Half of the Historic facilities are classical designs . Inspite of these, what Liberia lacks is an Architectural and Building culture fully standardized and codified. The lack of standards is the reason for an underdeveloped, undefined, and nonintegrated vernacular architecture, an example of which a Liberian Anthrologist and Historian, Dr. Siwuliwa Somah referred to as the Siko. This undeveloped vernacular which we consider fourth building style is typically responsible for the urban sprawl all around the city, some of which currently exists on part of this proposed site, because of it’s cheap and easily available materials.
Maps and Photography
Aerial View of Central Monrovia
The West African Region
Liberia is located on the West coast of Africa. About 43, 000 square miles, it stands between the French speaking Ivory Coast on the East, French speaking Guinea on the North, English speaking Sierra Leone on the West, and The Atlantic Ocean on the South.
Applicable zoning info
With a little complication defining the district probably because of the Government’s negligence to enforce or perhaps develop zoning ordinances, the center city and district under investigation has no defined height and bulk limitation, there are mixed and multiple uses, and this include retails, residential, and government offices, which are responsible for the strain on the current conditions of the street edges, including the existing store fronts, the streetscapes and hardscape, and sewage and drainage conditions. (next page)
Section 3 Research
General Research
The concept of Memory-memorial: As an attempt to fully comprehend the nature, impact and concept of this project, the American Heritage Dictionary describes a memorial as a monument or a holiday intended to celebrate or honor the memory of an event or a person. It is therefore an expression of love and respect of a person, of course in the Liberians’ situation, thousands of people, a tribute to their lives as a source of comfort to those that are still around. A Monument is a historic element that would be around for many years. A monument makes a statement that would be read or understood by generations to come. It also celebrates the accomplishments as a people to lay aside ethnic differences. A monument should be personal, however, since this is not of one particular person, it could perhaps expresses the collective personality of the Liberian people and culture, and yet it can be many things to many people based on their individual experience since the struggle.
Celebrating the dead: With the above notion, we intend to explore how the dead is remembered and celebrated and it’s symbolism. The memory and celebration depends on ethnicity, religion, socio-economic, affiliations. Ethnic groups in Liberia are divided into four major categories: the kwa, Mende, Bassa, and Congor (carribean and Americo-Liberians). The Kwa group are characterized by a mourning period. The believe that the dead is translated into one of the four Kingdoms, of which is called Gion, marked by a animal sacrifice , and money along with speeches. The rising of the sun determines the orientation of the head in the tomb which is a Pharoahic symbism. For another Kwa tribe, as well as many West African Tribes, the pouring of Libation is a symbol of respect and honour to the one who’s gone before. The Mende Group believe in Feasting after the Burial. In Many Urban Environments, religion takes Precedent over the traditional practices. The churches Mourn their dead by hosting night services and the lighting of candles are familiar scenes.
The traditional architecture:: Historical significant of the Liberian vernacular Architecture is critical to the regionalism of the Memorial and to represent the cultural efficacy. The pointed hut, called Siko (Dr. Somah) is one of the oldest traditional architecture in the country dating as far back as the pre-Republic. A cylindrical shape hut, sometimes with no window, with structural make-ups such as wooden posts, bamboo stakes, clay, and palm branches as the roofing element, the roof is characterized as an inverted cone with a pointed spire. Typical to this are other traditional houses of similar nature in materials. Speaking of materials, the developing and fabricating of cheaper local materials is of essence in these regards. With the abundance of natural resources, local raw materials seems to be one of the most unexplored, un-researched, and undeveloped industry within the country. Since the Mining of Iron ore in the early 1960’s, a combination of vital minerals, limestone, and granites were discovered and unutilized, because no one studied the usability of those minerals. Liberia has natural resources to produce any form of culture stones, marble, ceramic, vinyl, acoustics, structural steel, gold tiles, all engineered woods and boards, and many others.
Precedent research (Architects, Building Type, case studies): The following represent international and national precedents which are significant to informing this project.
National Precedents- Liberia’s Monuments:
The Monument by R. Vanjah Richards, Symbolizes reaching heights together.
The pan African Plaza, Monrovia, Designed by Milton & Richards, 1981
The Lutheran Church Massacre in 1990.
Liberia’s First President, 1847, Joseph Jenkins Roberts. The Black Carvings on the base of the of the Monument depicts slaves being free from their enslavement.
Below Monument at the Centennial Pavillion and the E.Roye Bldg. By Winston Richards.
The Remains of the good old E.J. Roye blgd., Headquarters of the True Wig Party.
The one time glamorous Temple Justice lies in ruins.
The Capitol Building. Houses the Legislature Branch
The executive Mansion, office of the President. “The Love of Liberty brought us here”.
Monrovia City Hall
Liberia’s Shelled Foreign Ministry By Milton and Richards
Vahmoma House near Monrovia
The National Housing Bank, Monrovia
Nkrumah’s Monument in Ghana, West Africa Monument of the Great Pharoahs
Japanese-American Memorial November 9, 2000
Nitobe Memorial Garden
“A place of reflection, where each step reveals a new harmony, the garden is designed to suggest a span of time - a day, a week or a lifetime - with a beginning, choice of paths, and ending. Although it is appreciated by all who visit, it is highly recommended Nitobe visitors take advantage of tours”
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France.
German Memorial World War II
Melborn, Australia
Battle of Stallinggrad
India Gate, New Delhi
Monument of the peoples Hero, Berlin
The Approach
The following expresses how I intend to translate all of my research on the “ Liberian experience and celebration of the dead to develop a meaning, functional architecture.
African Expression of the Language of Form. Architype: the making of man
Conic tower and site Plan
The People
Women Gathering
Bibliography
Aldo Rossi, Architecture of the city, 1931, New York.
Attillo Terragni, The Terragni Atlas-Built Architecture, 1960
Staudenraus, P.J., The African Colonization Movement, 1816 - 1865. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961; reprint, New York: Octagon Books, 1980.
J. Walton, 1953 in the Book "African Village".
Boley, G.E. Saigbe, Liberia: The Rise and Fall of the First Republic. New York: MacMillan Publishers, 1983
Cassell, C. Abayomi, Liberia: The History of the First African Republic. New York: Fountainhead Publishers', Inc, 1970.
Dunn, Elwood D., and Hails, Svend E., Historical Dictionary of Liberia. African Historical Dictionaries Series. Metuchen: Scarecrow Press, 1985.
Johnston, Harry, Liberia. London: Hutchinson, 1906.
Liebenow, J. Gus, Liberia: the Quest for Democracy. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1987.
Nelson, Harold D., ed., Liberia: A Country Study. Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1985.
Shick, Tom W., Behold the Promised Land: The History of Afro-American Settler Society in Nineteenth-Century Liberia. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1980
Smith, James Wesley, Sojourners in Search of Freedom: The Settlement of Liberia of Black Americans. Lanham: University Press of America, 1987.
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