THE AFRICA CENTRE

Year

2022

Services

INTERIOR DESIGN/FF&E/STYLING/PROCUREMENT

Location

LONDON, UK

Located in the heart of Southwark, The Africa Centre has long served as a cultural beacon for the African continent and its diaspora.

For its newly refurbished home on Great Suffolk Street, Tola Ojuolape Studio was commissioned to bring warmth, tactility, and a powerful sense of place to the interior design.

A bar area with a dark blue arch-shaped shelving unit holding liquor bottles, a stone planter with a plant, and two hanging pendant lights; pink textured wall; tiled pink bar front with two patterned stools.
A collection of modern furniture including a black metal-framed bench with a patterned cushion, a round stone side table, a wooden bench with upholstery, and a patterned chair, arranged on a patterned rug.
Interior view of a staircase with black metal railing, large green plants in woven baskets, and hanging woven light fixtures, with sunlight streaming through a large window.
Interior of a cozy restaurant or cafe with wooden tables, a cushioned bench, decorative wall panels, a potted plant, and modern wall lights.
Interior of a cafe or restaurant with wooden tables, cushioned seating, decorative lattice panels, a plants in a woven basket, arched doorways, and large windows allowing natural light.
View of a dark room with a framed artwork on a black wall, featuring abstract shapes and a person holding a large white sphere. There is a wooden table on the right side of the room.
Outdoor patio with colorful chairs and tables in front of a modern building with large windows and a balcony with more chairs, a tree with green leaves partially blocking the view.

Photography: Felix Speller

Awards

Shortlisted Frame Award 2023

Finalist of Beyond Hospitality with Hospitality Design Award 2023

Winner Architects’ Journal Retrofit Award 2023

As seen In

The Guardian — July 2022

Domino Mag — Aug 2022

Spaces Mag — Aug 2022

Interior Designer Magazine — Jan 2023

Frame — Jan 2023

“Our clear vision for the Africa Centre’s new home was for a building which captured the bold freshness of contemporary Africa: showcased interiors which were rooted in the colours, textures and crafts of Africa but were not bound by them; invited the visitor to dwell and relax in a timeless way. We believe that Tola has realised our vision with an authenticity that will stand the test of time!”

—Oba Nsugbe SAN QC, Chairman The Africa Centre

INTERIORS & FINISHES

Modernity and tactility was at the heart of the project. Walls throughout are finished in Clayworks natural clay plasters, including a custom indigo textured plaster as a nod to West African dyeing traditions used prominently in the stairwell and gallery areas.

Natural handmade sun breakers feature around the restaurant, while sandy tones, terracotta hues, and FSC-certified timber surfaces ground the space in warmth and cultural resonance. The interiors span a restaurant, bar, gallery, and event space – each designed to feel lived-in, soulful, and unmistakably African.

FURNITURE & STYLING

Furniture and styling spotlight African craftsmanship and contemporary design. Bespoke live-edge tables by John Alfredo Harris, seating by Moroso and Wild Design, and woven elements by artisans across the continent form a vibrant, textural mix. Pieces include woven pendant lights, indigo textiles, and patterned upholstery, creating a welcoming, culturally rich environment.

PROCUREMENT

Procurement focused on ethical sourcing, sustainability, and storytelling. Artisans from across Africa contributed handmade elements, coordinated with support from African art curator Tapiwa Matsinde. Locally in the UK, Clayworks collaborated on custom finishes. All pieces were delivered to spec, resulting in a cohesive space that reflects both heritage and innovation.

If you have a project you'd like to discuss, please say hello.

You are welcome to email us directly:

hello@tolaojuolape.com