Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Led by Alebel Desta of the Ethiopian firm Alebel Desta Consulting Architects and Engineers, the “New Beginnings Inaugural Urban Art Installation” installed in Addis Ababa was the endeavor of more than 300 individuals who contributed to the project’s success, including architects, engineers, fabric experts, visual artists, carpenters, technicians, metal workers, and other workers.

The New Beginnings Urban Art Inaugural Installation has recently been awarded a 2023 International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture, Design, and Urban Studies.

In all, from conception to the inaugural day, the project took only four weeks. 

After three weeks of design and prefabrication of fabric elements, on-site construction started in September 2021. 

Due to the tight schedule, the project was implemented while celebrating holidays and the team worked seven consecutive days and nights onsite. 

Ethiopian history, culture, and existing reality were the driving forces in deciding the design concept. 

Diversity in Ethiopia is manifested in several forms, including identity, religion, culture, and nature. 

It is believed that unity within diversity is the cornerstone of existence and this was used as a design concept along with the idea of a “New Beginning’” and the hope it brings, by designing an urban art installation that represents hope, diversity, and unity.

The bright yellow color, which is likewise centered on the Ethiopian multicolored flag, has long been seen as a sign of a joyous, youthful color, full of optimism, sunshine, sincerity, and enthusiasm. 

The “Adey” flower, which is a symbol of good hope and a wish for a happy and prosperous year for Ethiopians, is also represented by the color yellow.

The two colossal vertical tower components represent a portal to a new beginning, a new chapter, and a new way of thinking. 

Their scale depicts individuals as being small compared to the representation of Ethiopia.

The vertical strips of fabrics surrounding the towers depict people’s equality regardless of their identity, religion, and culture. 

Another major element is the interwoven individual strips of fabric that are stretched out between the two towers, portraying the unity of Ethiopians. 

On the sides of the towers, the diagonal fabric strips with varying inclinations, sizes, locations, and linkages depict diversity. 

According to the architect, “We all have a different identity, culture, and religion, yet we are all one at the end of the day, Ethiopians, in every sense of the word. The diagonal lines at the side were also intentionally used to deviate from the common horizontal and vertical lines in our environment to create visual interest.”

The wind, the rain, and other natural forces represent all the powers that threaten Ethiopia’s existence. 

“Ethiopians’ resilience in tolerating pressure and moving spiritedly forward is reflected in the fabric’s flexibility, which allows it to easily accept force and project back without harming the structure,” states Desta.

In terms of a design response to the site, after studying the historical and cultural significance of Meskel Square, in line with the nature of inauguration ceremonies, the site arrangement was accomplished mainly based on functionality, security, hierarchy, and aesthetics. 

The dominant urban art installation was placed in front of the LRT line in response to the arrangement of the Meskel Square amphitheater. 

The performance stage was designed for music and choreographed dance performances, placed as a central element for the whole site with emphasis given to the performer by creating levels. 

The yellow belt that lies on the wall behind the amphitheater is a symbol that ties all Ethiopians together and unifies the whole site.

“The success of the urban art installation doesn’t only rely on the success in effectively conveying design ideas, but also on its ease of construction and disassembly, due to the appropriate selection and use of materials,” Desta continues.

Yellow fabric, scaffolding, plywood, and timber supports were the major materials in the construction of the urban art installation. 

The fabric utilized is a satin textile that was fabricated in advance off-site. 

This unique choice of material is the reflection of Desta’s long experience of experimenting with different materials in his design studio, which helped him to be bold in working with fabric. 

The fabric was placed in its appropriate position as soon as the scaffolding was completed and it was then assembled based on the design. 

The fabric also makes it possible to span 50 meters with no intermediary support, a span that cannot be achieved with other materials. 

As for the scaffolding, it was a major component of the design and a basic building scaffolding was chosen as the fundamental framework due to the tower’s grand scale and the limited amount of time. 

It only took a short amount of time to put together, and none of it went to waste: the scaffolding was transferred to a construction site as soon as the structure was disassembled.

Sustainability is of great importance, and in this regard, the urban art installation was designed with sustainability in mind, considering ways of recycling, reusing, and upscaling materials for other uses. 

The design was implemented as cost-effective as possible.

Locally available construction materials were used to reduce cost and transportation distance. 

The yellow fabric was locally manufactured and is one of the most economic of all fabrics available on market. 

Overall the project was designed to minimize waste, reduce environmental impact, and save time.

Moreover, the construction and disassembly of the installation were designed in a way that simplifies work, is cost-effective, and time-efficient. 

This led to one of the most intriguing things about the project, which was that it appeared in a matter of days and disappeared in hours, something ceremonial, as the team cut all pieces of fabric simultaneously, creating a cascading waterfall-like effect that was captivating for all involved in the project and, of course, the public.

Project: New Beginnings Urban Art Inaugural Installation
Architects: Alebel Desta Consulting Architects and Engineers
Lead Architect: Alebel Desta Hailemariam
Design Team:Tinsae Tsegahun Mengistu, Maheder Gebremedhin, Tibebu Arega, Edom Elias, and Yishak Tsehay
Visual Artists: Ejigayehu Yilma, Ejigsemahu Desta, Emebet Getachew and Sasahulesh Desta
General Contractor: Alebel Desta Consulting Architects and Engineers
Client: Office of the Prime Minister Of Ethiopia
Photographers: Aron Simeneh and Yishak Tsehay