S01E13 Omar Degan
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Not many people think of Africa when it comes to fascinating architecture, but Omar Degan is not like many people. Omar believes African architecture is a unique expression of the continent’s rich diversity and a valuable blueprint for developing the built environment in a way that respects
nature. In this episode of The Africa Whisperer, Lee Kasumba, the Italian-born Somalian architect, speaker and author shares his vision for the future of African cities. It’s a future where architectural design honours culture, recognises a community’s peculiar needs, and delivers sustainable building solutions.
Quote phrase
“Becoming an architect is working with communities and improving the quality of their space…as an architect, I’m supposed to solve problems.” — Omar Degan
Intro: 0-4:01
Omar’s childhood 4:01-6:14
Somalia 6:14 - 8:57
Choosing a carrier path 8:57 - 11:13
Type of architecture before and after Somalia : 11:13 - 16:45
Going Back to somalia: 16:45 - 18:16
Readjusting to Somalia: 18:16 - 19:49
Rebuilding Mogadishu : 19:49 - 21:33
Impact in Somalia: 21:33 - 23:48
Role of architecture in culture: 23:48 - 26:21
Weather and sustainablity in architecture 26:21 - 27:50
What Somalia is Known for: 27:50 - 29:10
End 29:10 - 31:12
Omar Degan’s parents migrated to Italy from Somalia before their home country was plunged in the throes of a destructive civil war. The stories they told him of life in Somalia painted a more balanced picture than his western education ever did, giving Omar an authentic sense of the country’s identity. Years later, this identity was one he would help rebuild through the DO
Architecture Group. Based in Somalia and open to the world, his firm features an international team that focuses on projects in East Africa and specialises in post-conflict reconstruction and community development.
Omar is convinced that looking within is the key to modern African architecture. “You have your own identity and culture,” he asserts. “Why are you looking at the West as a symbol of development? Why don’t you look at your own nation?”. A keen student of the history and resilience of some of Africa’s oldest buildings, his 2020 book, Mogadishu Through the Eyes of an
Architect, shows how looking to the past can inspire creativity today.
Through Omar’s thought-provoking dialogue with Lee, we explore the beauty of building from an African perspective and learn how to redefine contemporary architecture on the continent by getting reacquainted with indigenous architecture.
Social media handles
Facebook: Unable to verify
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/degan_omar/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@omardegan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/omar_degan
YouTube: Not found
nature. In this episode of The Africa Whisperer, Lee Kasumba, the Italian-born Somalian architect, speaker and author shares his vision for the future of African cities. It’s a future where architectural design honours culture, recognises a community’s peculiar needs, and delivers sustainable building solutions.
Quote phrase
“Becoming an architect is working with communities and improving the quality of their space…as an architect, I’m supposed to solve problems.” — Omar Degan
Intro: 0-4:01
Omar’s childhood 4:01-6:14
Somalia 6:14 - 8:57
Choosing a carrier path 8:57 - 11:13
Type of architecture before and after Somalia : 11:13 - 16:45
Going Back to somalia: 16:45 - 18:16
Readjusting to Somalia: 18:16 - 19:49
Rebuilding Mogadishu : 19:49 - 21:33
Impact in Somalia: 21:33 - 23:48
Role of architecture in culture: 23:48 - 26:21
Weather and sustainablity in architecture 26:21 - 27:50
What Somalia is Known for: 27:50 - 29:10
End 29:10 - 31:12
Omar Degan’s parents migrated to Italy from Somalia before their home country was plunged in the throes of a destructive civil war. The stories they told him of life in Somalia painted a more balanced picture than his western education ever did, giving Omar an authentic sense of the country’s identity. Years later, this identity was one he would help rebuild through the DO
Architecture Group. Based in Somalia and open to the world, his firm features an international team that focuses on projects in East Africa and specialises in post-conflict reconstruction and community development.
Omar is convinced that looking within is the key to modern African architecture. “You have your own identity and culture,” he asserts. “Why are you looking at the West as a symbol of development? Why don’t you look at your own nation?”. A keen student of the history and resilience of some of Africa’s oldest buildings, his 2020 book, Mogadishu Through the Eyes of an
Architect, shows how looking to the past can inspire creativity today.
Through Omar’s thought-provoking dialogue with Lee, we explore the beauty of building from an African perspective and learn how to redefine contemporary architecture on the continent by getting reacquainted with indigenous architecture.
Social media handles
Facebook: Unable to verify
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/degan_omar/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@omardegan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/omar_degan
YouTube: Not found
