The various programs for the Center of Cultures and Spiritualities Ewés, by Kéré Architecture, are grouped together in low-rise, fluid buildings containing landscaped courtyards, providing the building with natural ventilation. The project includes in its program a sanctuary, temples of divinities, an open-air amphitheater, exhibition halls, a reconstruction of the ancient royal palace of the Ewé Kingdom, an auditorium, a restaurant and an emblematic gate to mark the main entrance to the site.
The museum is intended to collect the history and knowledge of the Ewé people, exhibiting contemporary works that reflect the culture of the people. The exhibition halls have ambient lighting achieved thanks to the system of natural light wells on the roof. The open-air amphitheater is linked to the Agbogbodzi Sanctuary, hosting the celebrations of traditional festivals, while the main entrance is inspired by a traditional royal chair of the Ewé culture.
The materiality of the project is based on the use of red laterite brick, characteristic of the area, which stands out for its durability and ability to adapt to tropical climates. The floor of the main path is inspired by the traditional Ewé pavement made of ceramic fragments that can be found in sacred places of worship.
Centre des Cultures et Spiritualités Ewés by Kéré Architecture. Rendering courtesy by Kéré Architecture.
Project description by Kéré Architecture
The Centre des Cultures et Spiritualités Ewés (CCSE) is a project initiated by the Kothor Foundation, whose aim is to promote the culture and historical heritage of the Ewé people through the construction of a multi-faceted site. The project also aims to change the way visitors and the general public view Ewé ancestral rites and traditions, by making the site a world-renowned destination.
The project is located in the town of Notsè in Togo, about 80km north of Lomé, the national capital. This ancient capital of the Ewé Kingdom is the origin and point of departure of the Ewé people before their exodus within Togo itself, but also to Benin and Ghana. The city is home to the Agbogbodzi Sanctuary, which houses the Ewé people's principal divinity, as well as traces of the ancient great Agbogbo wall that encircled the city.
Every first week of September since 1956, the Notsè site has become a gathering place for pilgrims of the Ewé people to celebrate the Agbogbozan festival, a festival of togetherness, fraternity and conviviality.
The masterplan proposed by Kéré Architecture is structured around the remains of the great Agbogbo wall and the Agbogbodzi Sanctuary.
The CCSE program includes a sanctuary, temples of secondary divinities, an open-air amphitheatre, a reception area, exhibition rooms, a reconstruction of the ancient royal palace of the Ewé Kingdom, an auditorium, a restaurant, and an emblematic gateway to mark the main entrance to the site.
The Agbogbodzi Sanctuary, linked to the open-air amphitheatre, embraces the heart of traditional festival celebrations.
The museum is divided into exhibition rooms and a reconstruction of the ancient Ewé Royal Palace. This unique space dedicated to history and the preservation of Ewé knowledge, it serves as a showcase for the history of the Ewé people as well as contemporary works. Thanks to the system of natural light shafts set into the ceiling, the design creates a filtered and ambient lighting effect in the exhibition rooms.
The design of the main entrance is inspired by the Ewé Stool, a royal chair that symbolises power.
The various programs are grouped together in fluid, low-rise buildings punctuated by planted patios that wind through the landscape on either side of the wall. This allows for efficient natural ventilation. The primary material used for the building is red laterite brick, which is abundantly available locally and is both durable and well-suited to the climate.
The outline of the wall on the ground traces the path of the route and is inspired by traditional Ewé paving, made from pottery shards, which is commonly found in places of worship and sacred sites.
