Angela Pitts Myammee Calendar

Architecture "Congolese" Bukavu

There a lot of new construction here in Bukavu. Especially houses, and often very impressive. They are obviously aimed at the local bourgeoisie and the style reflects quite well the taste "nouveau riche" of that class (a rather popular taste internationally for that matter). It is far from the colonial architecture that was actually quite classic (see the house of a friend down here).

We notice immediately the use of a rather convoluted style, especially at roof level and the multiple openings. The use of columns and arches is also the norm. And the reflective glass seems the mark of chic. During my walks, I have not found a single example of modern architecture, interesting or even original. The buildings are massive and not very elegant. Piled one upon another, they often occupy the whole plot. It is not even a step back from the street and the windows are sometimes located a few inches from the adjoining property. It seems that the familiarity is not the main concern of manufacturers. No longer the preservation of nature and lake views. We construct becoming larger and, therefore, it often obstructs the view of the neighbor. Older parcels on the lake were subdivided to maximize profit and the result is that many houses have no view on it. The garden which was formerly one of the major attractions in the colonial villa, then you simply forget. It now comes down to a few meters from a rare grass, a few potted plants, if not simply artificial plants. Any space that remains is for the car. Bukavu was a beautiful city because of its gardens and its location on the lake. This is no longer the case today, unfortunately ...

I show you here an example that is somehow the epitome of the genre. A very large house but without elegance, located directly on the street. A house rich and who appears as such. You will notice the variety of materials, reflective glass windows and balustrades, artificial plants on the balcony, chrome furniture and the chandeliers say "baroque." It is difficult to kitsch. So we built all these horrors, there are many houses Colonial falling into disrepair (eg the influence Italianate house, located on the same street as the previous house). Many locals live on the other hand insanitary shacks without water or electricity. The photos here show down homes in the old stables of the equestrian club. That is to say that the place where you previously kept a horse is now living a whole family ...