Recent alumnus Ryan Saidi was featured in an article written by Lumion, a 3D rendering software company that he used to bring his Thesis project to life. Ryan, originally from Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa, graduated in May of 2024 with his Masters of Architecture from Catholic University. Lumion has been Ryan’s preferred rendering platform since he began pursuing his architecture degree after switching from mechanical engineering.
Under thesis advisor Ana Roman Andrino, Ryan’s project, ‘NAYALA: Cultivating Architectural Memory and Identity’, was one of the winning projects of this year’s Super Jury presentations. “This thesis unveils earthen chambers of memory, reflection, and hope, shaping the city's trajectory towards renewal. In Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, colonialism led to architectural amnesia, obscuring precolonial heritage. The city now seeks a revival, a vibrant hub of memory to reclaim lost architectural forms for a sustainable future. Nayala emerges as this sanctuary, bridging buried traditions with emerging dreams.”
“The goal was not to revive old architecture, but to learn from different eras and create something new while being part of a larger conversation about African architecture. Materiality was a big part of my project: I used traditional materials like earth and copper and combined them with contemporary materials like glass and steel in my pavilion designs.
“My roots have, of course, significantly influenced the idea. Firstly, I named it “NAYALA” after my great-grandfather. He is from the Northern region of Côte d’Ivoire. The Sudano-Sahelian architecture of the Kong mosque is heavily referenced in my project. The use of rammed earth as a construction method became essential, too.
Read more about Ryan’s inspiration for his Thesis Project here: https://lumion.com/made-with-lumion/ryan-saidi-student-interview