The Michelangelo Towers design team to add further design excellence to the Sandton built environment

South Africa, Johannesburg -October 2008: Bentel Associates International (BAI), the architects responsible for the highly acclaimed Michelangelo Towers and Mall, have designed the mixed-use complex currently under construction at Legacy Corner in the heart of Sandton's business and shopping district. The property, situated at the corner of 5th Avenue and Maude Street, is the last undeveloped site in the Nelson Mandela Square Block.

The developers of this prestigious project are Legacy Hotels & Resorts International, a privately owned company with a portfolio of four and five star hotels, bush lodges and resorts across Africa and the Indian Ocean islands. The group primarily targets the luxury corporate and leisure markets and their flagship hotel, the Michelangelo, is a member of Leading Hotels of the World.

Uganda: Emorimor to Get Palace - The Government has allocated sh250m for the construction of a palace for the Teso cultural leader. The leader, Emorimor Augustine Osuban Olemukan, said the building would house offices, conference hall, guest house and a museum. [AA Construction]

Uganda: Saint Lawrence Varsity Builds Two Billion Shillings Computer Centre - St. Lawrence University is to host the $150m (sh249.3b) national laptop distribution centre, the information and communication technology state minister, Alintuma Nsambu, has said. [AA Urbanisation]

Top Class Hotel for Bulawayo - Top Class Hotel for Bulawayo - The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) listed Africa First Renaissance Corporation (Afre) is planning to build a top class hotel in Bulawayo before the end of the year as it seeks to grow its tourism portfolio ahead of the 2010 soccer World Cup in South Africa. [All Africa : Zimbabwe] [AA Zimbabwe]

Botswana: Icons of Modern Architecture - It is that time of the year when we get to celebrate Botswana's existence as an independent nation, celebrating 42 years of independence. To most people it is a day to look forward to and celebrate the lives of the great chiefs that made Botswana what it is today, gained independence and set out a new government for the country of Botswana. [AA Construction]

Joe Osae-Addo was born in Ghana, West Africa, and trained at the Architectural Association in London. He worked in Finland, the UK and the USA, setting up his practice in Los Angeles in 1991. His work has been influenced by ‘genus-loci’, and how architecture can/should respond to this in creating pieces which are both site specific and meet the needs of people who will interact with it.

He is a founding partner in the A + D Museum, Los Angeles, whose mission is to advance knowledge and to enable people to appreciate and understand architecture and design. He moved back to his native country Ghana in 2004 and is currently the CEO of Constructs LLC, an inno-native design firm based in Accra and Tamale in Ghana, West Africa.

Joe Osae-Addo is also a member of the ArchiAfrikaadvisory council.

"I remember sitting with one desk, a computer and a phone ;anxiously waiting for the phone to ring…." that was Mr. Laurence Chibwe, MD of Chibwe Afritects reflecting on his early days that saw the birth of Afritects Architects. There was no nostalgia in these references - rather a mixture of memory and pride.

Afritects was first established in 1998! 10 years ago. Originally known as Chibwe Ritschl Afritects changed in 2002 to Afritects. The firm currently employs well over 10 highly qualified professionals with more than 50 years combined experience in the fields of Architecture and construction.