A Legacy

4 organizations share a mission, bound by the legacy of an extraordinary man, J. Max Bond Jr. 1935-2009

The Bolgatanga Library designed by J. Max Bond for the Ghana National Construction Corporation,1967.

The Promise of Legacy

The legacy of the international architect and social justice advocate J. Max Bond Jr. was brought to bear on a new set of beneficial professional and international relationships.

J. Max Bond Jr.’s own years of professional practice dedicated to the building of the then young Ghanian country in the 1960s served as a fruitful and inspiring model for this collaboration. Upon several coordination and planning meetings the three organizations responsible for this work established an agreement to work collaboratively on the research and creation of a comprehensive and sustainable development strategy for Accra. The research and proposed strategies address the inherent challenges associated with urban settlement patterns, limited infrastructure, housing shortages and limited economic opportunity within Ghana and across much of the continent.

Several of these challenges are further exacerbated by financing challenges presented by limited local and international development investment and a lack of accessible consumer and commercial banking and loan products. The latter is considered as an important component in creating a stable and affordable housing market whereby consumer affordability, development investment and loan repayment and risk is mitigated through greatly lowered construction cost, maintenance costs, translating into affordability and proven ecological scalability.

Key Partners

During the Summer of 2019 the J. Max Bond Center for Urban Futures of the Sptizer School of Architecture at the City College of New York led by Director and Associate Professor Shawn L. Rickenbacker was introduced to Impact Hub Accra by Mr. Rossie E. Turman III, Chair of International Finance practice at Lowenstein Sandler LLP with the intent to explore a potential collaboration focused on addressing housing challenges and economic growth in Accra Ghana. Building upon the Bond Center’s expertise in equitable development and research, Lowenstein Sadler’s expertise in international finance and the innovation track record and equitable goals of Impact Hub Accra led by William Senyo and Jean Paul Margiani a collaborative team was born.

In the Fall of 2021 as part of a industry and academic research partnership the firm Davis Brody Bond and Spacesmith joined the Bond Center led team. The partnership further enhanced the breadth and depth of the research and the proposed strategies. Davis Brody Bond Architects and Planners is the legacy firm of J. Max Bond Jr. of which he was a Partner from 1990 - 2009 and known for such notable projects as the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture https://nmaahc.si.edu/ and residences at One Hudson Yards, NYC. This collaborative effort is a fitting tribute to his legacy which included his own professional contributions to the then young republic of Ghana and the principles for which he stood for.

Meet the Team

  • William Senyo

    Founder & Chief Executive Officer Impact Hub Accra

  • Rossie E. Turman

    Partner, International Finance Co-chair Africa Practice Lowenstein Sandler

  • Shawn L. Rickenbacker

    Director, J Max Bond Center for Urban Futures SSA/CCNY

  • Steven Davis

    Partner, Davis Brody Bond

  • Daisy Houang

    Senior Associate, Davis Brody Bond

  • Howard Duffy

    Lead, International Development, J Max Bond Center for Urban Futures SSA/CCNY

  • Alden Copley

    Senior Researcher, J. Max Bond Center for Urban Futures SSA/CCNY

  • Dylan Jhirad

    Director, Graphic Design Davis Brody Bond

  • Pedro Pereira

    LEED Green Associate Designer, Davis Brody Bond

  • Nnadozie Okeke

    Senior Associate, Davis Brody Bond

  • John-Paul Parmigiani

    CEO & Co-Founder, Impact Hub New York Metropolitan Area

  • Kojo Dufu

    Head of Investments and Investor Relations Altas Mara Ltd.

  • Michael Sorkin 1948 - 2020

    Distinguished Professor, Director Urban Design SSA/CCNY

Thank You & Dedications

Impact Hub Accra as a leader in the entrepreneurial incubation space made a compelling case toward identifying an opportunity to expand their mission to address the creation of a scalable holistic community in Osu, Accra. The goals of living, learning, working and creating would not only advance a new generation of Ghanaians economically but would also operate as a new platform for the creation of housing and corresponding commercial spaces serving as an economic catalyst in support of the growth of emerging and established business affiliates and the local community in which it currently resides in Osu.  We’d like to thank Impact Hub for inviting us to join their mission in support of creating sustainable and vibrant communities.  

The Bond Center along with the Impact Hub Accra began its initial research in the Summer of 2019.  The lead researchers, Shawn L. Rickenbacker, Director and Associate Professor of Architecture and Michael Sorkin, Distinguished Professor of Architecture and Urban Design Department Head led a team of Center researchers on the development of an alternative spatial and economic supply chain. The work progressed with the collaborative assistance of a team of architects, engineers, international economists, technologists, and sociologists for whom we are immensely grateful. That work was interrupted by the Global Covid 2019 Pandemic during which time we lost our esteemed colleague and friend Michael Sorkin to Covid 19. We take this opportunity to dedicate this work to him and his immensely collaborative spirit.

We are grateful for the support provided by Dean Marta Gutman, Spitzer School of Architecture, City College of New York, President Vince Boudreau, City College of New York, Professor Lesley Lokko, Director and Founder of African Futures Institute. A special thanks to the countless collaborators, students, and community members, too many to mention here - who’ve contributed toward the creation of a better world through their generous sharing of knowledge, expertise and time.

WE ARE IMMENSELY GRATEFUL!

Current Partners Within the Global Affordable Housing Ecosystem 

  • Centre for Affordable Housing Finance 

  • US State Department 

  • IDP Foundation Inc.  

  • City of Accra (Accra Metropolitan Assembly)  

  • Coastal Development Authority  

  • Osu Traditional Council  

  • La Dade Kotopon Municipal Assembly  

  • Siemens Stiftung 

  • Cargo Bikes Africa (Sustainable Micro Transportation)