MoMA Examines West African Modernism; Alvisi Kirimoto Activates Basilica of Maxentius
The Museum of Modern Art in New York has launched 'Architects of Liberation: Modernism in Western Africa,' which explores post-independence architectural developments across seven West African countries. After years of closure, the Teatro Mauri in Valparaíso, originally designed by Alfredo Vargas Stoller in 1951, has been restored and reopened. The World Architecture Festival 2026 revealed a shortlist featuring firms like Foster + Partners and Herzog & de Meuron, with finalists set to present in Fort Lauderdale this November. In 2028, Rio de Janeiro will host the 5th UIA International Forum, themed 'One City. Many Worlds,' anticipating over 5,000 attendees. MVRDV introduced Nangang Pair in Taipei, while Alvisi Kirimoto created a temporary installation at the Basilica of Maxentius in Rome. The Martin by OMA in Amsterdam exemplifies adaptive reuse.
Key facts
- MoMA exhibition 'Architects of Liberation: Modernism in Western Africa' examines post-independence architecture in seven West African nations.
- Teatro Mauri in Valparaíso, designed by Alfredo Vargas Stoller in 1951, reopened after decades of abandonment.
- World Architecture Festival 2026 shortlist includes Foster + Partners, Herzog & de Meuron, Studio Gang, Grimshaw, Perkins&Will, RSHP, Woods Bagot, KPF, and Nikken Sekkei.
- Rio de Janeiro will host the 5th UIA International Forum in 2028, the first in the Americas, under the theme 'One City. Many Worlds.'
- MVRDV's Nangang Pair in Taipei features two towers, a public plaza, and sustainable systems.
- Alvisi Kirimoto designed a temporary installation for the Basilica of Maxentius in Rome for Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia's summer 2026 season.
- The Martin by OMA is part of the Bajes Kwartier redevelopment in Amsterdam, transforming a former prison into an energy-neutral mixed-use neighborhood.
- World Population Day estimates highlighted the largest metropolitan areas globally.
Entities
Artists
- Alfredo Vargas Stoller
- Jean-François Lamoureux
- Jean Louis Marin
- Alvisi Kirimoto
Institutions
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
- World Architecture Festival
- Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA)
- Instituto de Arquitetos do Brasil (IAB)
- Alcaldía de Río de Janeiro
- JUT Group
- Foster + Partners
- Herzog & de Meuron
- Studio Gang
- Grimshaw
- Perkins&Will
- RSHP
- Woods Bagot
- KPF
- Nikken Sekkei
- MVRDV
- OMA
- Alvisi Kirimoto
- ArchDaily
- International Union of Architects (UIA)
- Brazilian Institute of Architects (IAB)
- UNESCO-UIA
- Ho Khue Architects
- Lyth Design
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Valparaíso
- Chile
- Fort Lauderdale
- Rio de Janeiro
- Brazil
- Taipei
- Taiwan
- Rome
- Italy
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Dakar
- Senegal
- Beijing
- China
- Bajes Kwartier
- Nangang District
- Kunyang Station
- Basilica di Massenzio