Ethiopian Modernism: Mid-Century Architecture of Africa's Capital

"The award recognizes that Modernist buildings, once seen as a vanguard of architecture, are falling into disrepair and are underappreciated by the public. The situation in Africa is typical of this global sentiment, and this was the first time a building on the continent was graced with this award."

"Modern Ethiopia has a unique place in African history as the only country to successfully resist colonization (apart from a brief period of Italian occupation before the Second World War). Its capital city, Addis Ababa, was established by Emperor Menelik II in 1886, further south than previous capitals, as a method of unifying the country."

"The reign of Emperor Haile Selassie coincided with the independence of most African states from European colonization, and the establishment of continental and international organizations, commissioning Modernist buildings in the process."

The World Monuments Fund/Knoll Modernism Prize was awarded to Australian firm Architectus in January 2026 for their conservation work on Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This recognition highlights the global crisis of deteriorating Modernist buildings that have lost public appreciation despite their historical significance. Ethiopia holds a unique position in African history as the only nation to resist colonization, establishing Addis Ababa in 1886 under Emperor Menelik II. The country's modernization accelerated through railway development and foreign expertise in the early twentieth century. Emperor Haile Selassie's reign coincided with African independence movements and the establishment of continental organizations, resulting in numerous Modernist commissions that shaped Ethiopia's architectural legacy.

Read at ArchDaily