Dot.Ateliers | Adjaye Associates

Project Name: Dot.Ateliers
Location: Osu-Accra, Ghana
Project year: 2023
Project Size: 560m²
Architects: Adjaye Associates
Client: Amoako Foundation
Structural/Civil Engineer: ESPCO Ltd
General Contractor: RACEG
MEP Engineer: Synergy MEP Limited
Landscape Architect: Kristodia Ntorinkansah Landscaping
Facade Consultant: Earth Structures
Lighting Consultant: Steensen Varming
Cost Consultant: SKOL
IT/AV/Security: Truedata

text narration by the architects

dot.ateliers is a community-oriented and ecologically responsive destination that offers a robust space for artistic production. Located within the Osu waterfront neighbourhood in Accra, this artist residency is conceived as an “architectural tool” for rethinking the possibilities of sustainable design. The monolithic three-story structure serves as an incubator, showroom, and gathering point that advances both the Ghanaian arts scene and architectural innovation.

The monolithic structure consists of three stacked volumes, visually delineated by concrete bands, which progressively increase in height to cater to the gallery’s public and artist
residency programs – photo by Adjaye Associates

Nestled within a midblock plot, a perforated wooden structure offers a tranquil entry from the busy street. Behind, a three-story structure rises from the earth. Designed as three stacked volumes, each floor expands in scale and height to accommodate internal programming, from the external garden, café, office, and library to the studio and gallery space. Enclosing a circulation spine, the structure utilizes a double envelope rammed earth façade, which extends from the ground
floor to the highest level, leveraging the natural insulating properties of local earth to foster healthy environments, ecological sensitivity, and a low carbon footprint.

Light shines through the perforated façade of the entry structure – photo by Adjaye Associates

Maintaining visual connections to the emerging waterfront neighborhood, each level features sculpted apertures that frame views of both the ocean and the immediate urban context. Encompassing the Accra context, including glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean and Osu Castle, the art produced and showcased within dot.ateliers is in constant dialogue with the distinctiveness of its surroundings, reflecting the essence of Accra to a local and international audience.

Ground floor plan – The residency program is supported by office and archival spaces with an arts and design library offering informal co-working space – courtesy Adjaaye Associates

The cafe that spills out into a landscaped garden serves both gallery visitors and the general public, supporting the culinary arts in addition to the fine arts – photo by Adjaye Associates

“Artists bring so much value to the world and don’t ask for much in return except for support in the form of spaces and
materials to create and freedom to experiment with their creativity and maybe recognition to crown it all. …Hopefully a little assistance from us all can help grow their talents, add value to themselves and their works, thus allowing them to continue adding value to the world.” – Amoako Boafo, Artist and Founder of dot.ateliers

The double-skinned rammed earth enclosure not only adds to the aesthetic appeal but also contributes to sustainability, energy efficiency, and comfort. An air gap between the inhabited structure and the interior façade facilitates perimeter circulation, guiding visitors through the three floors. Moreover, this design feature helps mitigate heat gain by providing a buffer between the exposed face and the less exposed façade.

A staircase enclosed within the rammed earth double envelope ascends to each level, sculpting views into the first floor studio and out toward the sea – photo by Adjaye Associates

South-facing windows are shaded by the building’s double rammed earth façade, ensuring unobstructed views while optimizing thermal regulation and natural light distribution – photo by Adjaye Associates

Each level features apertures that frame views, maintaining visual connections to both the ocean and the immediate urban context – photo by Adjaye Associates

The first floor, accessible by the rammed earth exterior staircase, hosts a studio for artistic production or a gallery space for exhibitions by resident artists. The expansive four-meter-high white-wall space provides ample room for creating large format works, while a utility zone, equipped with sinks, storage, and restrooms, facilitates artistic endeavors. A north-facing window offers a view to the urban surroundings, while the south-facing window—softened by the double rammed earth façade extends the view towards the waterfront. The open floor plan allows flexibility and can be bifurcated to accommodate multiple artists simultaneously.

First floor plan – A studio space for the artist residency program – photo by Adjaye Associates

White walls, exposed concrete, rammed earth, and framed views of the city and waterfront create diverse backdrops for the creative process – photo by Adjaye Associates

Referencing the angled roofs of neighboring structures, the top floor hosts a dedicated six-meter-high (19.5-foot-high) gallery. Characterized by a distinctive sawtooth design, the roof features north-facing skylights, bathing the gallery in natural diffused light.

East-west Section – courtesy Adjaye Associates

The north-facing positioning of the sawtooth skylights ensures optimal gallery lighting while mitigating the heat from the tropical sun – photo by Adjaye Associates

The solidity of the building mass provides shade for the exterior landscaped areas, which are utilized for events and relaxation, while simultaneously protecting the interior from excessive heat and allowing ample indirect sunlight for artistic production – photo by Adjaye Associates

dot.ateliers offers a material transition between the hard and soft exterior to interior, from the rammed earth and exposed concrete in the exterior public spaces, to the polished interior spaces composed of terrazzo, white plasterboard finish, and timber. Custom-designed furniture, including library desks, a café bar, and timber benches, enhances the overall design ethos. The locally sourced material palette underscores a commitment to ecological practice that honors a sense of place and relation to the surrounding context.