Ohene Twum is an award-winning architectural designer, real estate developer, and cultural and economic development strategist whose work explores the transformative potential of architecture across Africa and the global built environment.
Twum is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), with a B.F.A. in Architecture and M.F.A. His academic career was distinguished by a full scholarship to SCAD, seven Dean’s List recognitions, and recognition as the inaugural first-place recipient of the IIDA Diversity in Design Scholarship. These early distinctions reflected his commitment to design excellence and a broader vision for the role of architecture in shaping more inclusive and meaningful environments. His academic and early professional experiences established a foundation in architectural design, cultural preservation, business, and the relationship between the built environment and the communities it serves.
As the Founder of Ohene Twum Architecture, Twum has developed a growing body of work spanning residential, hospitality, healthcare, housing, commercial, cultural, and community-focused architecture. His approach is rooted in the belief that architecture should do more than occupy a site—it should respond to context, strengthen identity, elevate human experience, and create lasting social and environmental value.
His design philosophy moves beyond the use of cultural motifs to explore architecture as a vehicle for belonging, dignity, heritage, sustainability, and community. Across his work, he investigates strategies such as passive environmental design, rammed-earth construction, courtyards, natural ventilation, adaptive reuse, and locally responsive material systems to create architecture that is both deeply contextual and forward-looking.
Twum’s work has received recognition from international design platforms including the Architecture MasterPrize, International Design Awards, Golden Trezzini Awards, London International Creative Competition, BLT Built Design Awards, and the IIDA Diversity in Design Awards, among others. His projects have been recognized across residential, cultural, hospitality, social-impact, and sustainable design categories.
Beyond architecture, Twum is committed to contributing to Africa’s cultural and economic development through the built environment. His work extends into real estate development, heritage, tourism, entrepreneurship, and circular design, reflecting a broader ambition to help shape environments in which African identity, innovation, sustainability, and economic opportunity can coexist.
Through Ohene Twum Architecture, he is building a practice centered on Architecture That Inspires—creating environments that are thoughtful, enduring, and capable of contributing meaningfully to the people and places they serve.
Dig a Little Deeper
June 2021 - July 2021
Project Managerial Intern
Visit Mobile, Alabama
As a Project Managerial Intern with Visit Mobile x Africatown, I worked on the development of Cultural Heritage Tourism in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Africatown, Alabama, aiming to preserve the site's history and promote its preservation. I collaborated with community members to create authentic tours, developed cultural platforms, and supported community engagement. My role involved logistical planning, cultural platform development, and staff support to make Mobile and Africatown a beacon for successful cultural heritage and sustainable tourism development.
September 2020- April 2022
Community Assistant, SCAD Savannah
Lead and mentor a team of 18 paraprofessionals to manage the Residence Hall. It is a 12-acre student-housing complex, that accommodates a maximum of 2,048 students in eight coeducational housing blocks that comprise a total of 566,223 square feet including on-site dining facilities, a pool with clubhouse, and 1,037 parking spaces (including a garage). Promote resident’s academic and personal growth. Develop career-enhancing competencies in staff. The CA position provides an on-site internship like experience that challenges students’ time management, critical thinking, problem solving, communication and group dynamic skills, among others. CAs are integral members of the residence life and housing staff through the direct mentorship and guidance they provide to resident assistants (RAs).
January 2019- September 2020
Resident Assistant, SCAD Savannah
Provided supportive programming, guidance and resources to students as in but not limited to residential areas and office settings while in collaboration with other members of staff. Interacted on a daily basis with on-campus student body, responded to situations while on call and performed necessary inspections and follow ups. Altogether, I learnt to perform in a fast-paced, ever changing environment that is efficiently and positively responsive to the needs of others.
November 2019 - January 2020
Work Shadowing, E&H Holdings
Conducted site assessment with developers, documented progress on city permit measures, assessed construction documents and completed administrative tasks. Developed renders and revised floor plans for current anad future projects.
February 2019
Work-Shadowing, IIDA North Carolina
Accompanied lead designers to revise Created pattern and color palettes for the development of crisp interiors for residential and commercial use. Conducted spatial, color, lighting and material analyses to assist lead designers to create functional, safe and captivating indoor spaces.
October- November 2018
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) Designer, Kwippo Inc.
Designed emotive and comical Gifs that can be used on the social messaging site named Kwippit. Developed social media strategies to increase usage rates of Kwippit.
Awards
London International Creative Competition (LICC) x2
Awarded with 2 Finalist Awards (in Build ArchItecture) for the Paces Home Redesign and Ode to Nature Pavilion. The only designer to have 2 finalist awards for the 2023 LICC.
Architecture MasterPrize
Was awarded with the Honorable Mention Award in Residential Architecture for Paces Home Facade Redesign.
October 2022
Was awarded with the Honorable Mention Award in Landscape Architecture / Installations & structures
Architecture MasterPrize
January 2022
International Design Award
Was awarded the Bronze award for architectural lighting while winning 3 honourable mentions in the fields of pavilion design, museum design and conceptual design.
January 2019
Inaugural IIDA Diversity in Design Scholarship Winner
Selected 1st place for my 500- word essay titled 'Design a New Dawn' that advocated for the use of design as not merely a tool to elevate the aesthetic beauty for something but to provide positive practical change in society and bridge cultural divides.
September 2017-
Francis McCommon Full Scholarship, SCAD
This is a merit-based full scholarship that awards students with impressive academic as well as artistic skills.
March 2016
Best Delegate, Ghana Model United Nations
Awarded Ghana MUN Best Delegate for the Economic and Social Committee as a Representative of Canada due to my arguments and contribution on addressing the world's problems and finding working solutions to them.
February 2012
National Winner of Toyota Dream Car Art Contest, Toyota Ghana Limited
Was selected as one of the National Winners for the contest by developing and illustrating a concept car that incorporated a stadium set up to allow international football tournaments to go to the most remote parts of the world and spread the love of football all over the world.
July 2009
Interviewee, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Interviewed to provide a student perspective on U.S President Barack Obama's Ghana visit.
I spoke about the cultural importance of President Obama's visit to Ghana and highlighted the importance of Africa on the global stage.
Interconnectivity of Design
In this interview, Ohene Twum speaks on the importance of an interconnected design space through which collaboration and development can occur across the globe.
SCAD Now Online Worldwide
In this piece, Twum highlights the benefits of learning in the online space and the opportunities that posits for greater dialogue, cultural exploration and enriched design.