ARCHITECTING APOLOGUES

In-Picture

HEART STRINGS

Perched on a concrete curb in 4kilo, a one-man orchestra strapped to his shoulders, this street musician seems determined to prove that romance does not need a luxury venue, just an instrument, a loyal speaker, and enough confidence to serenade an entire city block. Somewhere in the crowd, a passerby is either falling in love or desperately trying to figure out how one man managed to combine a mic, a traditional string instrument (Kirar) with stubbornness into a full band. Love may be complica...

STREET ECONOMY

Rows of sneakers dangle like tropical fruit from improvised racks, while stacks of jeans, scarves, and second-hand treasures compete for attention along the busy Mexico square. What looks like an ordinary street market is really a masterclass in retail efficiency: no rent, no air conditioning, no glossy storefronts, just entrepreneurial grit and a pair of wheels. Beneath the city's growing skyline and construction cranes, vendors have created mobile department stores where customers can shop for...

AUTOMATIC SHADE

Passengers waiting for public transport at the Qera transit point located at Dej Beyene Merid street, navigate the daily challenges of the city's transport ecosystem. Some commuters shield themselves with personal umbrellas, while a few sit in the narrow shade provided by a leaning section of a corrugated iron barrier. As the capital pushes forward with sweeping corridor modernization projects, the upgrading of suburban transit stations to provide dignity and shelter for daily commuters remains...