The Africa Centre Interiors pays homage to the beauty and soul of craftsmanship from the continent. It's diverse, multiple geographies, layered cannot be represented by a single story.  Design expression for the interiors is executed  through local craft, creativity & authentic African craftsmanship. 

Research and travels to the continent over the last 5-7 years informed  the design intent for the look and feel, a hybrid and cosmopolitan context that places the continent as the world’s next manufacturing hub and design focal point.  

Shaped by multiple forces and layers of culture, tradition, colonial legacies.  The space look at unifiers across the continent with an appreciation for colour and the tactility that comes from hand made craftsmanship.

From inception in the 1960s, the centre was as a voice of liberation and thriving cultural hub for the UK's African Diaspora.

For the updated interiors, The Africa Centre had a clear ambition to use the space as a platform to celebrate contemporary African creativity from the continent and abroad, the space would also serve  as an ambassadorial environment continuing the centres mission to its UK Diaspora as a meeting place where pioneering ideas can emerge and converge.

Our aim from the onset was to create interiors  that are warm, authentic, soothing and lived-in, anything but superficial, ‘a home away from home’ welcoming people from all over the globe to ‘A taste of Africa in London’ using the interior design to amplify and express a sensory connection to the continent. The interiors design is rooted in the continent’s sense of place through craftsmanship, materiality, tactility and the warmth it evokes. The new venue, a four-story office block built in the 1960s, opened in June 2022 with a restaurant on ground floor, Bar on first floor and events space for second floor. The forms phase one of the centre's ambition for the refurbishment of the office block in Southwark, London.

Our ambition was to ensure we created a beautiful and consciously designed space with sustainability at it's heart. We used Clayworks Clay Plasters  in a variation of colours, the clay plasters are are unique blends of unfired clays mixed with minerals and pigments to provide healthy, breathable finishes for internal walls. Manufactured in the UK, they are amongst the most low carbon and healthy wall finishes available.

Sandy coloured walls reference parts of the continent, layering materials and textures, combined with an understanding to blend sensual and accessible materials. Ethically sourced patterned hand-woven textiles, crochet and woven pendant lights crafted by local artisans from the continent hang side by side baskets and woven stools. Bespoke live edge tables handcrafted by master carpenter John Alfredo Harris also fill the restaurant interior. 

Design references from corners of the continent mainly the indigo blue, a rich pigment used across all levels is inspired by the rich history of dyeing textiles from West Africa. Indigo cloth dyeing was a highly valuable skill passed on by specialist dyers through generations up to now. We sought to pay homage to heritage with the use of the indigenous colour as an eminent feature in space interiors specifically a backdrop to the exhibition space and stairwell areas. It also served as a contrast to the terracotta tones and timbers.

A key thread weaving all the interiors together is an element of the human and sensory connection - a blend of comfort and familiarity, a touch of intimacy.