Themajesticbaobab tree isapowerful symbol inSenegal:
providingshelter, harbouringwaterandservingasa
gatheringplace forpeople throughouthistory, the long-lived
treewas thenatural inspirationbehindDakar’snew InternationalConferenceCentre.Thebuilding, byTurkish
firmTabanliogluArchitects, references thebaobab throughout, startingwith themassiveone-piecemetal
canopy thatencases thestructure.Thissemi-transparentenvelopedapples light, shading the interioragainst
theharshest sunandallowingseabreezes topass through. Setamidpoolsofwaterconnectedbybridges,
thebuildingappears to floatandcastsmesmerising reflectionsbydayandnight. Justasancientbaobabs
providedcover forcommunitymeetings, theconferencecentrecontainsanauditorium that canhouse 1,500
people, and there’salsoa restaurantandamuseum, sovisitorscanenjoy thenewbuilding insideandout.
FLYTO
DAKAR
DAILY
ARCHITECTURE
{Dakar }
The treehouse
36
JULY 2015
PERSPECTIVE
THISMONTH’SCONTRIBUTORS
AndrewPetrie, PennieTaylor, Chris Beanland, Si Hawkins, GarryShaw
PETALPOWER
This exquisiteminiature greenhouse is the creation
of Stockholm-baseddesigner CarolineWetterling.
CalledGrow, its purpose is tonurture tiny flowers,
and toprotect vulnerable seedlings. The base is
for planting, while the domed lid comeswith a
spout that allows it todouble as awatering can.
Grow costs €37.50.
designhousestockholm.com
FLYTO
STOCKHOLM
FOUR TIMESDAILY
ECODESIGN
{Stockholm }
FESTIVAL
{Geneva }
SHORETHING
Starting on 16 July, theGeneva Festival turns the
lakeshore into a concert stage, amusement park
andmarket. Twoweeks of ‘pré-fêtes’ leadup to
the opening on the Swiss national day of 1 August.
Enjoy a huge funfair, concerts andmore than 200
food stalls. Do stick arounduntil 8August for the
closingmusical fireworks.
16 July-9August, fetes-de-geneve.ch
FLYTO
GENEVA
SIX TIMESDAILY
