Designing Power: Cross-Cultural Principles for Sacred Spaces Applied to Modern Royal Palace Design in Fondonera, Cameroon

How can architectural spaces of authority- historically linked to domination, exclusion, or oppression- be reimagined to foster collective well-being without compromising their intrinsic sacredness? The study addresses this critical question through the design of a royal palace in Fondonera, Cameroon- a project born from the community’s urgent need to reconnect with its cultural heritage amid the erosion of traditional architectural practices. Through comparative and thematic analysis of the Greek Acropolis and Bamileke chiefdoms (Bandjoun, Batoufam), the research identifies three universal dimensions of power architecture: geometry (spatial organization and proportional systems), symbolism (cultural and spiritual meaning), and magnificence (material expression and monumental scale). These principles shaped a design that integrates neuro-architectural strategies- promoting movement, social interactions, optimized lighting, and sensory engagement through natural materials- with sustainable measures such as rainwater harvesting, passive ventilation, solar energy, and the use of local resources. The resulting framework proposes a replicable approach to designing culturally rooted and environmentally responsible institutional spaces in post-colonial contexts.