How do we build a world that truly reflects who we are? In this profound conversation, I sit down with architect and design tastemaker Obiora Nwazota, a powerful voice reshaping our understanding of culture, identity, and design. Obi shares his journey from a childhood in Nigeria, dreaming beyond the prescribed path, to becoming a cultural force in Chicago.

 

We explore how he challenges the singular narrative of design by asking a simple yet powerful question: If someone walked into your home, would they know an Igbo person lives there? This question opens up a deep dialogue about the importance of ritual, the stories our spaces tell, and the critical mission of his venture, Okpara House, to reclaim and elevate Igbo cultural assets for contemporary life.  This episode is a call to all creatives to look deeper into our own heritage and harness our gifts to build a richer, more inclusive world.

Chapters

 

00:00 - Introduction to Obiora 'Obi' Nwazota

02:50 - Growing Up Igbo: A Childhood of Daydreams

05:05 - The Surprising Link Between Igbo Culture and Haiti

09:12 - Finding Freedom Through Architecture in a New Land

14:42 - Redefining Architecture as the Architecture of Life

20:12 - The Genesis of Okpara House: Filling the Cultural Void

29:59 - The Power of Rituals in Defining Who We Are

34:16 - Reclaiming the African Image: The Story Behind the Book 'Nkemdiche'

44:53 - The Collaborative Process of Creating a Visual Narrative

48:00 - A Final Word on Being a Light for Culture

Connect with Obi:

 

Follow Obi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obiora_nwazota/?hl=en

Obi’s Website: https://www.okparahouse.com/about

 

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This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Santiago Cardona and Daniel Espinosa.

 

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