RENABUMA Pavilion Welcomes First International Visitors

The RENABUMA project took an important step forward this week as the first group of international visitors from the Fachhochschule Dortmund, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Germany toured the RENABUMA pavilion structure at KNUST, Kumasi. Their visit marked a significant milestone in the project’s journey to reimagine Ghana’s construction future through the integration of traditional techniques and cutting-edge digital technologies.

Guiding the tour was Prof. Alexander Boakye Marful, who carefully explained the vision and objectives behind RENABUMA: the creation of sustainable, affordable, and climate-resilient building practices rooted in Ghanaian vernacular knowledge but enhanced by digital design and fabrication methods. The visitors were impressed by the innovative outcome of the pavilion, praising both its aesthetic and structural performance. They also offered valuable contributions that will further strengthen the project’s implementation and long-term success.

Also present at the visit was Rev. Prof. Victor Kwesi Quagraine, Head of the Department of Architecture, KNUST, whose presence underscored the department’s commitment to pioneering sustainable design research and education in Ghana. The interaction between the German partners and the KNUST team reflected the true spirit of RENABUMA: collaborative, interdisciplinary, and community-focused.

The pavilion itself remains a powerful symbol of what RENABUMA stands for. Built with locally available renewable materials such as clay, wood, and natural fibers, and reinterpreted through digital design tools, the structure demonstrates how traditional knowledge can be reimagined for today’s challenges. A QR code pasted onto the pavilion continues to invite users and visitors to share their experiences and feedback, making the project not just a showcase but an evolving, participatory platform.

All are warmly encouraged to visit the pavilion, located on the forecourt between the College of Art and Built Environment and the College of Engineering at KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana. The structure stands as an open invitation to students, professionals, and the public to engage with RENABUMA’s vision:a future where construction is circular, sustainable, and deeply connected to both culture and technology.