A[fro] scension

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters of Architecture (Professional), February 2018Afroscension is a mythical construct, in search of a narrative that relates to repressed or forgotten African histories as a foundation for future possible scenario’s, mediated by technology, politics and culture. Summarily the exploration of African mythology and its relationship to architecture becomes important as a catalyst for radical spatial evolution. By basing this investigation on the Afrofuturist philosophy .Afrofuturism begins to forecast alternative scenarios of the past, present and future through investigating the relationship between time and humanity. A(fro)scension can be understood as a portal of time travel. A concept of movement between certain points of time, analogous to movement between different points in space by an object or a person. A(fro)scension steps outside of the usual sense of the perception of time in order to engage public imagination. Afroscension speaks to the idea of architecture as a portal of transcendence into Africa. Where we might eventually become inhabitants of an African universe. Opening portals or windows both into the mythological past of Africa, engaging with memory while projecting itself into the future of the built environment by understanding certain African futurist objectives.XL201