The Africa Centre

Built

Taran Wilkhu

Freehaus led the transformation of The Africa Centre’s new home. Our vision was to consider the ‘ambassadorial role’ the organisation can play in celebrating Pan-African culture in a global stage.

NEW LONDON AWARDS 2022

Shortlisted in the CULTURE category
The Africa Centre’s new headquarters is a transformative retrofit to a 1960’s office building, into one that befits a cultural institution, fulfilling the client’s brief to be the most welcoming cultural space in London. As a truly pan-African space we focused on elements that connect and bind the continent rather than on strict representation. We drew from the provenance of the organisation to ensure its new home has the same cultural impact and resonance to position the headquarters as an ‘embassy of optimism’, that speaks to an optimistic future for the continent, its people and diaspora. As a hub to celebrate Africa, the adaptable venue spans 5 floors and basement. A welcome space and restaurant feature on the ground floor, a bar & informal performance space on the 1st, and a gallery on the 2nd floor. A future phase, contingent on further fundraising will see the 3rd and 4th floors unlocked to host a digital learning centre and a business incubator space for afrocentric start-ups.

Vote for this project in the ‘People’s Choice Award’. The voting deadline is 1 November 2022.

Project information

Status

Built

Borough

Southwark

Size

670 sq m

Completion

June 2022

Location

66 Great Suffolk St, London SE1 0BL, UK

Team Credits