Considering Togo’s Architectural Heritage

Togo’s first national pavilion at the Biennale di Architettura di Venezia.

The Togo Republic premiered its first pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2025 with a project titled Considering Togo’s Architectural Heritage.

The exhibition is an iteration of the Conservation / Transformation showcased as part of RAL #1 (Les Rencontres Architecturales de Lomé) and explores the architectural narratives of Togo from the turn of the 20th century, focusing on the themes of conservation and transformation. Studio NEiDA takes us through the methodical documentation of Togo’s iconic architecture establishing a dialogue between conventional building practices to modernist construction techniques. This approach invites a broader perspective of the understanding of the architectural landscape of Togo and serves as an exemplary representation of its rich heritage.

The investigation of forms and materiality within West Africa’s built environment, from the ancient Nôk caves to the traditional construction techniques is exemplified by the Tatas Tamberma in northern Togo. The unique fusion of Afro-Brazilian architecture, developed by freed slaves who returned from Brazil, from the period from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s is uncovered, alongside remarkable instances of modernist architecture that emerged following the nation’s independence.

Several of these structures continue to serve their original purposes, such as Hotel Sarakawa, the Hedzranawoe market and namely, the ECOWAS and BOAD banks. However, the exhibition equally serves as a showcase for dramatic relics of Togolese modernism as a new example of beauty. Outlined in the show are prominent buildings in a state of disrepair, including the Hotel de la Paix and the Bourse du Travail, while in contrast, certain structures have benefited from renovation, particularly noteworthy are the refurbished Hotel 2 Février and the Palais des Congrès, which is in the process of restoration.

Credits

Type: Exhibition
Duration: May 2025 - November 2025
Curation & Exhibition Design: Jeanne Autran-Edorh & Fabiola Büchele
Commissioner: Palais de Lomé
Promoter: Ministry of Digital Economy and Transformation of the Togolese Republic
Sketches: Studio NEiDA holds the copyrights of all sketches and images
Exhibition Photography: Wody Yawo, Edem J. Tamakloe, Jeanne Autran-Edorh, Nicolas Robert, Landry Nono, Pierre-Emmanuel Jean
Research & Building Texts: Sabrine Bako
Tailoring: Désiré Lissanon
Architecture Interns: Rémy Kankpé, Hermine Nado Santos, Luis Axel Soglohoun
‍Palais de Lomé Team: Arséne Younang, Ayikoe Agbobly, Klaus Edzi
Communication: Bomi Odufunade - Dash & Rallo Art Advisory
Special thanks: National Order of Architects in Togo (ONAT) and the African School of Architecture and Urbanism (Ecole Africaine des Métiers de l’Architecture et de l’Urbanisme - EAMAU)