AFRICAN INDUSTRIAL TEXTILE AND STORYTELLING CENTRE

by Akramul Azur Askaari

The first semester portfolio included an exploration around the concept of the Huguenots and the silk weaving economy in Spitalfields, East London. The proposed site was based in Petticoat Lane market, which primarily sells cheap reproduced African textiles. Ultimately, this forms a disconnect between the strenuous manufacturing processes needed to create authentic African textiles - a traditional method, dying out. Thus, the proposed building acts as an educational building exploring the concept of African textiles, incorporating the aspect of storytelling. As each of the dying processes illustrate stories, they use symbols that act as a language between different tribes. They are also used as a form of coded language in parts of West Africa.