Madagascar / Modernism and international style in Antananarivo architecture

Visiting the land of Lemurs and Baobabs, when it comes to architecture, the straight forward expectation may relate to inspiring vernacular rural examples. While this anticipation is definitely fulfilled, Madagascar cities provide beautiful surprises when it comes to both urban design and architecture of buildings. The French colonialism was able to bring this remote island even the refreshing spirits of European modernism and international style, reflected in private as well as public buildings. Many interesting examples are located in the posh hilly areas of the capital Antananarivo, especially in the neighborhood of Antsahavola.

This government office building is located just across the tiny street (Lalana Rainitovo, Lalana means “path” in Malagasy) from the only backpackers hostel in Tana.

The hostel itself is located in a charming modernist house, with spacious stairs and a typical railing

and a highly inviting door.

Not far down the same street is an interesting modernist salad, or maybe it is a modernist etude.

Also in Antsahavola, in Lalana Adrianary Ratianarivo, is this building designed in a typical international style

This style is often characterized by a long “Thermometer” window, usually used for buildings’ staircases, and in this example fits perfectly to the Isotry Fitiavana church tower, in arabe (“street” in Malagasy) Victoire Rasoamanarivo.

This beautiful international style example, with typical round windows, and distinct horizontal emphasis, is also located in Lalana Rainitovo.

Here’s yet another fine international style example, with distinct balconies, and round elements, painted white (a nice correspondence with Tel Aviv’s “White City”..?), somewhere on the way to Tana’s Rova.

We conclude this introduction with another, later flavor of modernism – brutalism. The bald bare concrete elements fit perfectly the building’s function: the Central Bank of Madagascar, in the street named after France…