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The American Institute of Architects, (AIASF) and the Center for Architecture + Design are launching the 2020 exhibition season with the opening of "Villages of West Africa: an intimate journey across time" on view February 27 to April 20 in the Center for Architecture + Design Gallery, 130 Sutter Street, Suite 600 in San Francisco. 

Experience the tantalizing photography of Steven and Cathi House of House + House Architects whose diverse body of work reveal the remarkable beauty of the people, land, villages, textiles, and vernacular architecture across seven countries of West Africa, situated between the Sahara Desert and Atlantic Ocean. 

With over 500 evocative photographs and insightful commentary, “Villages of West Africa: an intimate journey across time” reveals the remarkable beauty of the people, land, villages, textiles, and vernacular architecture across seven countries of West Africa, situated between the Sahara Desert and Atlantic Ocean. West Africa is an ancient land of stark contrasts, immeasurable beauty, vibrant colors, and extraordinary people. It is home to legendary places at the edge of the world, camel caravans, endless sand dunes, searing heat, and colorful markets. 

This 304-page anthology of West African culture celebrates the artisanship of indigenous people who use building methods that are both practical and ingenious and that respond not just to local climate, materials, and topography, but also to the needs of the inhabitants with poetic insight, creating environments that are stimulating and sustainable. With their clarity, function, and beauty, these villages are living models of what community life can be. 

About Steven + Cathi House | House + House Architects 
For over 35 years Steven and Cathi House of House + House Architects have crafted intimate, personal architecture, producing a diverse body of work reflecting their passion for site specific, well-choreographed buildings throughout California, Florida, Hawaii, Mexico, Japan, and the Caribbean. Having received more than 50 design awards, their work has been featured in numerous national and international publications including two monographs, “House + House Architects: Choreographing Space” and “Houses in the Sun: light movement embrace”. 

They have lectured throughout the United States, as well as Mexico and Italy, and have traveled extensively across Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America documenting vernacular architecture. Their extensive studies and photographs of vernacular architecture have been published in two books. “Mediterranean Villages: An Architectural Journey”, celebrates their investigations throughout the Mediterranean — the hill towns of central Italy, the Aegean Islands of Greece, the Dalmatian coast, and the Andalusian region of southern Spain. Their most recent book, "Villages of West Africa: an intimate journey across time", documents the vernacular architecture, people, land, villages, artisans, textiles and cultures of seven countries in West Africa. 

The following exhibition-related programs will take place at 130 Sutter Street, Suite 600: 

Opening Reception: Thursday, February 27, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Author Program: Tuesday, March 10, 6:00 – 8:00 PM For more info visit: https://www.centersf.org/villa...