Alfa Romeo Building, Asmara

The render is falling off exposing the rough breeze block bricks below. The lamps either side of the doorway are broken and the sad flagpoles have seen better days. One is bent at an odd angle while the other has been snapped off just above the roofline. But look Asmara’s Alfa Romeo building in the face and you can’t help but fall in love with her.

The familiar Alfa Romeo script is still there in silver against the yellow of the building’s façade. The modest door is surrounded by a huge red rendered frame and the broken lights looks like bells and retain a certain Art Deco charm. The supports for the flagpoles are arranged as two separate groupings of four metal bands providing simple elegant and function decoration.

It probably dates from the mid 1930s and one day, I hope someone will add some polish and turn her back into a true Art Deco gem.




Reference:
Asmara: Africa's Secret Modernist City~ Edward Denison, Guang Yu Ren & Naigzy Gebremedhim