Ketema Journal

Call for applications for admission to graduate programs for the First Semester of 2026/27 (2019 E.C.) Academic Year Addis Ababa University (AAU) has opened up the call for the academic year of 2026/27(2019 E.C.) first semester in Masters (regular and extension) as well as PhD programs listed on the link https://admission.aau.edu.et/GraduatePrograms. Applicants are required to follow the steps described in the details: See the link for more details:  https://www.aau.edu.et/announcements/detail?title=Call~for~applications~for~admission~to~graduate~programs~for~the~First~Semester~of~2026/27~(2019~E.C.)~Academic~Year

Italian Smart Living 2026 Comes to Addis Ababa The second edition of Italian Smart Living will take place from July 8–10, 2026, at the Ethiopia Science Museum in Addis Ababa. Bringing together Italian excellence in design, architecture, smart living, construction materials, and interior solutions, the event creates a platform for collaboration between Ethiopia and Italy. Highlights include: ☑️ Italian design and smart living exhibition ☑️ High-level discussions on sustainable cities and construction ☑️ B2B matchmaking sessions ☑️ Italian Design Masterclass ☑️ Urban Regeneration Competition for Addis Ababa ☑️ Networking opportunities with industry leaders As Ethiopia continues to invest in urban development, hospitality, and modern housing, Italian Smart Living 2026 opens new opportunities for architects, developers, investors, designers, and manufacturers. 📍 Ethiopia Science Museum, Addis Ababa 📅 July 8–10, 2026 @ketema_journal

ትምህርታዊ ንግግር በ: ዳዊት በንቲ ርዕስ: Architectural Echoes: Regionalist Modernism in 1960s Addis Ababa ቀን: ሰኔ 11 2018 ዓም ቦታ: አዲስ አበባ ዩኒቨርስቲ ዋናው ግቢ ራስ መኮንን አዳራሽ ሰዐት: 9:00 ህንጻ ነዳፊ እና መምህር ዳዊት በንቲ ሐሙስ ሰኔ 11 ቀን 2018 ዓም (June 18 2026 እኤአ) በ 9 ሰአት አዲስአበባ ዩኒቨርስቲ ዋናው ግቢ ባለው በ ራስ መኮንን አዳራሽ ውስጥ ትምህርታዊ ንግግር ያደርጋል። ንግግሩ በ1950ዎቹ እና 60ዎቹ በነበረው ወርቃማው የኪነህንጻ ወቅት በነበረው አትኩሮተ አውድ ላይ ያጠነጥናል። ሁሉም ሰው ተጋብዟል። Society of Friends of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies @ethiopianarchitectureandurbanism

Heritage Reimagined: Adaptive Reuse of a Historic Residence Join us for a guided tour and panel discussion on the restoration and adaptive reuse of Dejazmach Ayalew Birru’s Residence, a heritage property with over a century of history. As part of the Architecture in Practice: Project Review Series, participants will explore the restored compound and engage with the architects and contractors behind the project, discussing key challenges, decisions, and lessons from the restoration process. 🗓 Saturday, June 20, 2026 ⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM 📍 Around Mega Building, Olympia ✔️ Detailed location shared with confirmed participants 🎟 Limited Capacity ✔️ Confirmation via email and SMS by June 18 ✔️ Selection based on AEA membership status, balanced participant representation, and registration time Register: https://cutt.ly/nt3Ar6vF #ArchitectureInPractice #ProjectReviewSeries #AdaptiveReuse #HeritageConservation #AEA #EthiopianArchitecture

OPEN CALL: STUDENT PROJECTS The Pan-African Biennale invites students from across the African continent and its diaspora to submit projects engaging with African urban futures. Open to students in architecture, urban design, planning, art, design, and related disciplines. Individual and group submissions accepted. Up to 20 projects will be exhibited during opening week. Submission Deadline: June 15, 2026 Notification: July 14, 2026 Biennale Dates: September 7 to 11, 2026, Nairobi Apply via the link here. @ketema_journal

የተከበሩ አቶ ካሳ ገብሬ 1926 -2018 ዓ.ም ከቀደምት ኢትዮጵያዊ መሃንደሶች አንዱ የነበሩት ክቡር አቶ ካሳ ገብሬ ማረፋቸውን ከጥልቅ ኅዘን ጋር እናሳውቃለን። አቶ ካሳ በምህንድስና፣ በከተማ ልማትና በመሠረተ ልማት ግንባታ ዘርፍ ለአገራቸው ከፍተኛ አሻራ ያሳረፉ ሲሆን፣ በትምህርት ሚኒስቴር ዋና መሃንዲስ፣ በከተማ ልማት ሚኒስትርና በሕንጻ ኮንስትራክሽን ሚኒስትርነት አገልግለዋል። የጣና በለስ ግድብ፣ የቀይ መስቀል ሕንጻ፣ ዋቢ ሸበሌ ሆቴል፣ አክሱም ጽዮን ቤተ ክርስቲያን ፣ ፍልውሃ ሕንጻዎች፣ አየር ማረፊያዎች፣ ፋብሪካዎች፣ የወታደር ማሰልጠኛ ካምፖችና በርካታ የከተማ ፕላኖችና ድልድዮች ከታላላቅ ሥራዎቻቸው መካከል ይጠቀሳሉ። የቀብር ሥነ ሥርዓታቸው ሰኞ፣ ግንቦት 24 ቀን 2018 ዓ.ም ዋሺንግተን ዲሲ በሚገኘው ደብረ ኃይል ቅዱስ ገብርኤል ካቴድራል ይፈፀማል። በአዲስ አበባ የመታሰቢያ ፕሮግራም በቀጣይ ቀናት ይካሄዳል። ለባለቤታቸው፣ ለልጆቻቸው፣ የሙያ እና የሥራ ባልደረቦቻቸውና ለወዳጆቻቸው መጽናናትን እንመኛለን።

Join us for an intimate listening session of the first episode of Beneath the Concrete. Episode 01: The Truth About African Architecture Gather with fellow architects, designers, and curious minds to experience the episode together, connect with the host, and take part in an open conversation around the narratives shaping our cities and communities. 📅 Date: June 6 2026 🕒 Time: 9:30am - 12:00pm 🎧 Bring your own headphones 🥤 Light refreshments available 📩 RSVP here https://forms.gle/Ja44XxwkrR5d882x8 📍 Location: Harrari Cafe (next to Tee keks) Ghion Riverside Cafes, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia . https://share.google/OiXONG3kv5YJHmhO1 https://beneaththeconcrete.substack.com/

Dear Readers, In this issue, we explore Wanchi Eco-Lodge, set within the dramatic landscape of the Wanchi Crater Lake basin west of Addis Ababa, offers a thoughtful exploration of how architecture can respond to place without overwhelming it. Developed as part of Ethiopia’s “Dine for the Nation” initiative, the project reflects a quieter architectural ambition—one centered on belonging rather than spectacle. The reinterpretation of the traditional tukul dwelling becomes central to the project, transformed through contemporary openings that frame the surrounding landscape while still retaining echoes of its original spatial character. Check it out! 👇 https://ketemajournal.com/v-37-flipbook/ MARCH • APRIL • 2026 Printed versions available at: Tomoca Coffee And more destinations @ketema_journal

Addis Modern A solo Exhibition by Yohannes Girma Beyond building, Layered stories. Explores the older buildings of Addis Ababa as living records of memory, transformation, and collective life. Each work reflects the hidden stories embedded in the city's architecture. Creative Hub Ethiopia May 16-17, 2026 3:00PM-7:00PM 16 May-14 June, 2026 Creative Hub Ethiopia, Arada Post Office, Addis Ababa. @ketema_journal

Happening this afternoon! At the AAU School of Built Environments former EiABC, Swedish Pavilion. Don't miss it! @ketema_journal

Good Evening, Colleagues and friends. architects ወርሃዊ is back with a unique & interesting session! Our 54th session will be on "Spaces of Worship: King Nejashi Mosque and Islamic Center with Abdi Mohammed (ATM Designers PLC) " 🗓 Date : May 7th,2026 ⏰ Time : 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 📍 Venue: Creative Hub, Piassa https://maps.app.goo.gl/KdGfFjDk1Zc1bU2p6 Pre registration is required on the Google Form attached to attend. https://forms.gle/hzEKMonJa3H3cBkF8 Come and meet friends, build your network! See you all on Thursday for architects ወርሃዊ.

Good Evening, Colleagues and friends. architects ወርሃዊ is back with a unique & interesting session! Our 54th session will be on "Spaces of Worship: King Nejashi Mosque and Islamic Center with Abdi Mohammed (ATM Designers PLC) " 🗓 Date : May 7th,2026 ⏰ Time : 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 📍 Venue: Creative Hub, Piassa https://maps.app.goo.gl/KdGfFjDk1Zc1bU2p6 Pre registration is required on the Google Form attached to attend. https://forms.gle/hzEKMonJa3H3cBkF8 Come and meet friends, build your network! See you all on Thursday for architects ወርሃዊ.

IRONSHARK INTERIOR DESIGN COMPETITION! Design the Future of Paint Retail with Iron Shark! 🎨🦈 Are you a 5th-year architecture student or a recent graduate? This is your chance to turn your creativity into a real project seen across Ethiopia.

Iron Shark is launching an exciting Interior Design Competition to discover bold, innovative showroom concepts and reward the best ideas!

🏆 Total Prize Pool: 200,000+ ETB ✨ 5+ winners will be awarded! 🥇🥈🥉 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place: Your designs will be implemented in an official Iron Shark 100+ showrooms. 🏅 Additional winners will also receive cash prizes. 👥 Enter & Participate individually or as a team of two and showcase your talent to the industry.

Your design could set the new standard for Iron Shark showrooms across Ethiopia.

👉 How to Enter: Scan the QR code on the poster and register today! 📍 Inquiries: +251 965 202122 Create. Compete. Build the future of paint retail.

African Union of Architects (AUA) East Region is inviting you to a webinar. AUA Habitat & Environment Commission 🎯Webinar Topic: Decarbonizing Africa’s Built Environment 📅 Date: Thursday 9th April, 2026 🕒 Time Across Africa: • 🇬🇭 🇸🇳 🇨🇮 14:00 GMT (Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, etc.) • 🇳🇬 🇧🇯 🇹🇬 15:00 WAT (Nigeria, Benin, Togo, etc.) • 🇿🇦 🇿🇲 🇿🇼 16:00 CAT (South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, etc.) • 🇰🇪 🇪🇹 🇹🇿 17:00 EAT (Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, etc.) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83788887233?pwd=EsD84jWAliAKMfZQvaVwfEbTYn9SF8.1 Meeting ID: 837 8888 7233 Passcode: 656164 ———————————————

Dear Readers, In this issue, a Professor of Design from Boston reflects on ‘The Stairs’ building as a project that moves beyond spectacle, grounding itself in Ethiopian spatial intelligence. He has penned a profound article on how a contemporary Ethiopian Architecture should be formulated, which has prompted us to feature ‘The Stairs’ again in this issue. He suggests that architecture gains meaning not by imposing itself, but by emerging from its environment. Recent recognitions suggest that Ethiopian architecture is entering a moment of quiet but undeniable global presence. From the 2023 International Architecture Award for the New Beginnings Urban Art Installation to the 2026 ArchDaily Building of the Year Award for the ET-302 Memorial Park, local practice is beginning to resonate beyond its immediate context. Check it out! 👇 https://ketemajournal.com/v-36-flipbook/ JANUARY • FEBRUARY • 2026 Printed versions available at: Tomoca Coffee And more destinations @ketema_journal

From Ruins to Residence A Residential Project Utilizing Reclaimed Materials Constructed using reclaimed materials sourced from demolished houses in Addis Ababa, exploring themes of memory, craft, and sustainability. Join us for a Guided Tour & Moderated Discussion with Ahadu Abayneh (the Architect) and the client, as part of the Architecture in Practice: Project Review Series. 🗓 Saturday, April 4, 2026 ⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM 📍 Project Site (around Ferensay Legasiyon, 41 Eyesus Mazoriya) 🎟 Limited Seats ✔️ Confirmation will be sent via email and SMS by April 2, 2026 ✔️ Priority will be given to participants who have settled their AEA annual membership fee for 2018 E.C. Register: https://forms.gle/z1uxai49kLZABukc6

OPEN CALL FOR PROJECTS AEA Architecture in Practice: Project Review Series The Association of Ethiopian Architects invites members to submit projects for the AEA Architecture in Practice: Project Review Series: an initiative focused on learning through the discussion of built work. Selected projects will host on-site sessions featuring presentations by the lead architect, client, and key stakeholders, followed by discussion and a guided architectural tour. The program aims to foster professional exchange, reflection, and learning within the Ethiopian context. Submissions are due by May 7, 2026. Submit on: publication@aea.et For inquiries: info@aea.et or +251 90 222 9922

The ET-302 Memorial project has also been nominated for the 2026 Arch Daily's Building of the year award in two categories: the Public and Landscape Architecture category and the Best Applied Product category. Cast your votes using the following links: Public & Landscape Architecture: https://boty.archdaily.com/us/2026/candidates/180247 Best Applied Product: https://boty.archdaily.com/us/2026/candidates/180248 @ketema_journal

Halala Kella Lodge has been nominated to Arch Daily's Building of the Year 2026. Cast you votes using the link below. https://boty.archdaily.com/us/2026/candidates/181076/halala-kella-lodge-slash-raas-architects @ketema_journal

Dear Readers, In this special issue, we celebrate the completion and inauguration of the largest hydropower project in Africa, GERD. Officially inaugurated on 9th of September 2025, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is far more than an infrastructure project; it is the physical embodiment of a nation’s collective will. Financed and built by its people, it transforms the long-untapped power of the Nile into a beacon of light, industry, and national pride. GERD represents a defiant step into a self-determined future, balancing Ethiopia’s aspirations with regional responsibility, and proving that a nation’s greatest resource is the unity of its people. Check it out! 👇 https://ketemajournal.com/v-35-flipbook/ https://ketemajournal.com/v-35/ NOVEMBER • DECEMBER • 2025 Printed versions available at: Abrehot Library Tomoca Coffee (all branches) And more destinations @ketema_journal