The Republic of Togo will premier its first pavilion at the 19 th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2025 with a project titled Considering Togo’s
Architectural Heritage. The inaugural pavilion is commissioned by Sonia Lawson, Founding Director of Palais de Lomé and curated by Studio NEiDA, an architecture and research practice co-founded by architect Jeanne Autran-Edorh and curator Fabiola Büchele. The exhibition 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 cave dwellings to the traditional construction techniques is exemplified by the Tatas Tamberma in the 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.