NLÉ and kunlé adeyemi are building a floating music hub in cape verde

NLÉ, the architecture, design, and urbanism practice led by kunlé adeyemi, has begun constructing a floating music hub in cape verde, a country in the central atlantic ocean. located in mindelo bay on the island of são vicente, the project is set to open to the public in december 2020. once complete, the project will mark another milestone in NLÉ’s development of the makoko floating system (MFS™), which was first presented in 2013.

all images courtesy of NLÉ

conceived by NLÉ as a buoyant music hub, ‘MFS™ IV’ is a prefabricated design that comprises three floating structures of different sizes. the largest of which will contain a multipurpose performance hall, while the medium sized building will be a professional recording studio. finally, the smallest structure will be a service bar. the three vessels will be anchored around a triangular public plaza that will promote music, dance, art, and other creative industries in africa and its diaspora.

‘the significance of music in cape verde, its rich cultural history and its natural environment inspire this social and economic development strategy,’ explains NLÉ. ‘we are grateful for the collaboration of several local and international partners so far including JMP, CFA, SINA, AECOM, AISTER, KRJS and all our new cape verdean supporters and friends.’ see more projects by kunlé adeyemi and NLÉ on designboom here.

NLÉ first presented its floating school concept in 2013
see more on designboom here

NLÉ also realized a floating school in chengdu, china
see more on designboom here

project info:

name: MFS™ IV – floating music hub
location: mindelo, cape verde
type: multipurpose performance hall, recording studio, service bar, public plaza
client: ADS group
design: NLÉ
team: kunlé adeyemi, raul correa-smith, aga filipowicz, nicolò santini, berend strijland
collaborators: JMP, CFA, SINA, chengdu keruijiesi technology co., ltd., AISTER, dykstra naval engineering, AECOM, lucas santos, editson viera