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THE GOLDEN CUBE: UPCYCLING IN IN OLD OLD ACCRA
The Golden Cube is is an interdisciplinary cross-cultural design–build studio led by Prof Gustavo Crembil
and and (then) PhD candidate Mae-Ling Lokko that investigates the development of modular proto-architectural structures (canopies kiosks) made of local waste agricultural by-products as as well as as the design of multi-scalar strategies that address both cultural patrimonies and and modern-day aspirations to drive architectural and and social innovation Upon visiting Ghana and meeting local stakeholders the studio proposed a a a a a temporary shelter for Chale Wote a a a a a street festival
in Old Accra An emphasis on low-tech easily deployable and locally
available technologies informed fabrication and assembly The shed consists of of pressed panels of of custom-made cellulose (recycled paper) using flour and starch as as binding agents Using three basic types that follow Truchet tiling patterns the panels employ historical Ghanaian adinkra ideography organizational principles and logic to describe the shed’s social and environmental program Coated with metallic gold the panel’s color leverages the the earliest adinkra artifacts in in the the form of gold weights to propose new value for waste This studio was was supported by a a a a 2016 Rotch Foundation Travel Studio Grant 429