When TED Fellow Xavier Vilalta was commissioned to create a multistory shopping mall in Addis Ababa, he panicked. Other centers represented everything he hated about contemporary architecture: wasteful, glass towers requiring tons of energy whose design had absolutely nothing to do with Africa. In this charming talk, Vilalta shows how he champions an alternative approach: to harness nature, reference design tradition and create beautiful, modern, iconic buildings fit for a community.

Xavier Vilalta: Architecture at home in its community

Architecture at home in its community

Leveraging local traditions and environmental synergy, a new mall in Addis Ababa replaces energy-intensive designs with cultural resonance.

Innovative design in Tunis housing marries the European block with Arabian nuances, creating eco-friendly, community-centric living spaces.

Transforming Addis Ababa's architecture by integrating local culture and sustainable design to revolutionize community spaces.