Students from Indiana University’s Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design have created culturally inspired interior design proposals for the IU Ghana Gateway, located in Accra. Established in May 2024, this office inside the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences serves as a hub for Indiana University’s global activities in West Africa.
Led by senior lecturer Miyoung Hong, the students were tasked with designing the new office, keeping Ghanaian culture in mind. To guide the process, Nana Amoah-Ramey, a professor of African and African Diaspora Studies, introduced the students to Ghanaian cultural symbols, such as Kente cloth, Adinkra symbols, and the significance of colors in Ghanaian traditions. The designs reflect a deep understanding of Ghana’s collaborative, hospitality-driven environment and aim to incorporate local materials, further supporting sustainability and the local economy.
This project exemplifies Indiana University’s mission to foster global connections and provide students with international experience, while also respecting and highlighting local traditions and craftsmanship in their work.
The final designs will be reviewed to determine their implementation in the new office space in Accra, using local artisans and materials