Headquarters of Africanews

Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo

Architectural Icon on the Congo River

Offices

2018

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Status

Competition

Client

Euronews Africa

Address

Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo

Date

2018

Area

4 500 m²

Program (Details)

Newsroom, editing rooms, viewing rooms, conference center, meeting rooms, panoramic restaurant

Credits

Mikoü

Architect

Mikoü

Structure

Batiserf

Fluids

BET LOUIS CHOULET

HQE

Tribu

Economy

Bureau Michel Forgue

Africanews aspires to become a prominent media entity at the heart of Brazzaville, with a footprint that spans across Africa. In alignment with this vision, the building we propose is distinguished by its unique architectural design and its striking visual presence on the Brazzaville skyline, extending towards the Congo River.

A Mashrabiya in the Wings of a Butterfly

We have conceived the Africanews Tower as a sculptural and elevating edifice, embodying a poetic African aesthetic through its materiality, hues, and the delicate interplay of reliefs and recesses that define its façades. The verticality of the tower is accentuated by a dynamic envelope composed of both raised and recessed facets, elongating the structure and imbuing it with a singular architectural depth. This interplay of light and shadow intensifies its sculptural essence and visual impact. The alternation of these facets is further exalted by the careful selection of materials.

Sculptural Totems Supporting the Tower

The perforated concrete envelope casts geometric shadows across the entire façade. The recessed facets are embellished with a delicate, perforated fiber-reinforced concrete screen, adorned with a diamond-pattern motif. This structure gradually expands towards the building’s summit, particularly at the terrace levels, creating an impression of lightness and offering expansive views towards the city, the Congo River, and Kinshasa. The raised facets, in contrast, are clad in V-shaped sunshades, also crafted from perforated concrete, imbuing the tower with a dynamic and vibrant texture, brought to life by the interplay of light and shadow. Furthermore, these facets serve as a fitting backdrop for the Africanews signage, thereby enhancing and solidifying its visual identity.

African Identity, Geometries, Materials, and Vernacular Architecture

The building is supported by sculpted, faceted African totems that serve as structural pillars for the tower. This elevation on stilts gives the impression that the edifice is floating above a light and open base, designed to accommodate visitors and host activities for the Africanews Center. The tower consists of six floors, crowned by a panoramic terrace on the seventh level. This shaded, green rooftop is sheltered by a perforated metal canopy, offering breathtaking views of Brazzaville and the Congo River. At the very top, a technical terrace houses the entire array of communication satellite dishes.