Background

Nzulezo is a stilt village on the Amanzulley River in Ghana. For over 400 years, its built environment and lifestyles have developed around the water environment of the Amanzuri Wetlands which is also the only known swamp peat forest with the largest area of intact swamp forest in the country. The objectives of the .NZLZ project is to create a ‘living’ platform that documents Nzulezo’s traditional knowledge of living with water that is at risk of disappearance either because of modernisation or climate change (heavy rains), and second, to confront climate- and water-related challenges which the Nzulezo community is most vulnerable to. This project is an initiative of Carlien Donkor (Works bij Ewusi), Phoebus Panigyrakis (Iconic Ironic Architecture) and John Hanna (spacefourt).
 Survey Methods

  • desk research
  • social media investigation
  • photographs
  • video footage
  • architectural drawings
  • interviews

Carlien Donkor
Phoebus Panigyrakis
John Hanna



Project Purpose and Setup

Archives have consistently demonstrated their potential as catalysts for alternative perspectives on architecture and urban landscapes, offering diverse and extensive forms of knowledge and comprehension. Notably, the Water Knowledge Action Program of the Municipality of Amsterdam, as illustrated by Kremer et al. in 2023, harnessed historical data to reshape the spatial dynamics of Amsterdam's Nieuwmarkt Area. In a parallel endeavour, ".NZLZ" is committed to creating an archive that transcends mere documentation, instead serving as a bridge between the heritage of Nzulezo and contemporary architectural needs. This concept represents the first comprehensive documentation of the village's construction methods, and architectural styles, its socio-cultural and material practices and traditions rooted in the harmonious coexistence with nature. It is an outcome of collaborative efforts between local and international communities and experts, embodying a design philosophy rooted in sociological research and community mapping. Recognising that conventional archives often lack standardisation, digitisation, and compatibility with modern design software such as BIM, we aspire to make our repository not only informative but also accessible in a user-friendly format. 

Our approach emphasises efficiency in terms of time, cost, and resource utilisation, aligning with the ultimate goal of contributing to cities that are forward-looking and resilient in the face of future challenges. 


PartnersNzulezo
AdvisorsArchiAfrika Foundation  Sponsors Partly funded by the Creative Industries NL Nzulezo Stilt Village Tourism Project
Global Network of Water Museums  Ghana Museums and Monuments Board UNESCO Chair Water, Ports and Historic Cities
 Gallery