Architectural [Field] Office : Projects

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The number of Freetown’s krio and colonial homes is unknown.Built heritage that dates back to the 18th Century with the settling of Freetown by freed slaves returning from Europe and the Americas. A heritage that has been passed down from generation to generation and in many cases, is still owned and occupied by the same Sierra Leoneon/Krio families. Yet these homes are rapidly disappearing due to an absence of historic preservation legislation and general urban governance. As a result of the 11 year civil war in Sierra Leone systemic incapacity prevents the necessary documentation, the protection and/or the restoration of these structures. The Monument and Relics commission are the governmental body responsible for Sierra Leone's historic built heritage, yet do not yet have the institutional and budgetary to carry out such an inventory.

We feel that the most effective step towards helping protect these structures is firstly by putting them on a map. A digital map that can shared with the Freetown City Council as part of building a detailed inventory for Freetown's built heritage of which these homes are part of.

'Journey with Maps' is an AFO educational mapping project providing training to both members of the local government and youth residents within Freetown. Taking it's name from Graeme Greene's brief travel's across Sierra Leone and Liberia, this workshop marks the commencement of a digital inventory and archive of Krio and Hill Station homes. This workshop as agency advocates for these historic structures to be acknowledged within the formal 'Freetown Structure Plan' and operates as an intermediary forum between local authorities, ministries and the community youth within Freetown. This not an extensive inventory but the first steps to assist the MRC to sustain this. This workshop involved; GIS and GPS Training software; training in GPS handheld devices; community outreach to the public; onsite mapping and documentation; inputting this into GIS; making and presenting this information graphically.

Please use the main google map to zoom and drop down menu to the top left to explore. The links below give more information about the workshop.

Credits and Images from the workshop here.

Set 1 - Pademba Road Photos

Set 2 - Hill Station Photos

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Sierra Leone Monument & Relics commission website

Old Postcards of Freetown - sierraleone.org

London Metropolitan School of Architecture Exhibition