ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN CHARTERED

ARCHITECTS (ANCA)

APCE 3.0 PREPARATORY SEMINAR ON PAPER 3

(PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICS)

FOCUS: THEORY AND TRENDS IN ARCHITECTURE

ARC OBIMBA IZUCHUKWU DAVID

7TH - 9TH APRIL 2021

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PREAMBLE

 The term “Theory of Architecture” is derived from the translation of a Latin word
“Ratiocinatio” which was originally used by an Architect/Engineer/Author of the 1st
Century by the name Marcus Vitruvius Pollio who is well known for his work titled “De
Architectura, libri decem” (The Ten Books on Architecture).
 Ratiocinatio was initially used to differentiate intellectual from practical knowledge in
architectural education, but it has come to signify the total basis for judging the merits
of buildings or building projects.
 He was of the school of thought that a building can be designed only by a continuous
creative, intellectual inquiry between imagination and reason in the mind of each
creator. His discussion of perfect proportions and the human body led to the famous
drawing by Leonardo Da Vinci called the “Vitruvian Man”.
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PREAMBLE

 He believed that the focus of an Architect should be centered on three (3) themes
namely:
a. Functionality
b. Strength
c. Beauty
 Many theories have been generated by the quest for understanding why the
architecture of any place or period has developed as it did. These theories are
generally categorized into four (4) groups.
a. Rational, Technological and Constructional
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PREAMBLE

b. Material, Economic and Social

c. Religious, Cultural and Philosophical
d. The spirit of the age (Zeitgeist)

DEFINITION OF TRENDS IN ARCHITECTURE

Trends in architecture simply refers to the creative moods of a generation and how it
affects the design of spaces.
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PREAMBLE

 Below are some trends in architecture in 2021:

a. Open spaces – allowing for fluidity of spaces, maximizing lighting and improving space
integration.
b. Increased kitchen sizes – introduction of kitchen islands and carefully chosen décor &
materials.
c. Greater presence of bathrooms – use of natural materials and color choices to create a
relaxed environment.
d. Luminous spaces – more relevance to increased window sizes to achieve more light
within spaces.
e. Floor and walls specs – use of natural textured varieties and color diversity to create the
desired ambience.
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A. PRECEDENTS IN ARCHITECTURE

 Every style of architecture that has been in existence serves as a precedent to what
we call modern day architecture.
 Precedents can lend authority to your design, create meaning and help
communicate to its users and visitors in the future.
 Precedents helps one to learn about the architecture of a place to better help you in
designing a space in that locality. It can also help you to know what didn’t work in the
past so that you can avoid it. Do not focus on an exact copy, rather seek to imitate –
practice “eclecticism”.
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A. PRECEDENTS IN ARCHITECTURE

 STYLE is a distinctive or characteristic expression of architectural ideas as of specified period

in history.
 Architectural styles include the following:
a. Greek and Roman Classical
b. Gothic
c. Baroque
d. Neoclassical
e. Victorian
f. Modern
g. Post-Modern
h. Neofuturist
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A. PRECEDENTS IN ARCHITECTURE

 History reveals how architects draw inspiration from historical heritage and is
represented by
a. European trends
b. Brazilian trends
c. North Africa trends
Hereunder are strong influences to our indigenous architecture:
- Introduction of Islam
- Return of slaves from America (especially Brazil)
- Colonization
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A. PRECEDENTS IN ARCHITECTURE

SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF ARCHITECTURAL STYLES

 Traditional style - Roof of house were constructed by thatch
 Colonial style - Corrugated iron sheet, cement
 Brazilian Style - Storey buildings with heavy ornamental pillars + balustrades
 North African trend - Dome shape roof
 Vernacular Architecture - External models dominated the choice of materials.
 International Style - Dominated by contemporary modern architecture, the use of
parapet walls ,concrete walls, steel and aluminum.
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A. PRECEDENTS IN ARCHITECTURE

 Pure modern Style compromises

a. HIGH TROP - which characteristics are glass boxes, High technologies like central air
conditioning, it's from five floors and above ,elegant, extremely expensive structures.
b. LOW TROP - which characteristics are Residential mass housing estates, lack of
aesthetics, standard of living is low ,local sourced materials and local labour were
used.
Nouveau Rich (architecture of the rich) – characterized by bogus forms, expensive
decorations and materials, exotic atmosphere, semi circular windows, verandah or
balcony.
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B. MODERN ARCHITECTURE

 Modern architecture is based on new innovative technologies of construction,

particularly in the use of glass, steel and reinforced concrete. It also refers to the idea
that form follows function and embraces a minimalistic approach while rejecting the
use of ornaments.
 Some modern day architects include Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Walter
Gropius, Peter Behrens, Frank Lloyd Wright, Frank Gehry, Philip Johnson, Zaha Hadid,
Tom Wright etc.
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B. MODERN ARCHITECTURE

TORONTO-DOMINION CENTRE, FALLING WATERS, MILL RUN, UNITE D’ HABITATION, MARSEILLE,

TORONTO, CANADA PENNSYLVANIA, USA FRANCE
LUDWIG MIES VAN DER ROHE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT LE CORBUSIER
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B. MODERN ARCHITECTURE

DANCING HOUSE (FRED & LONDON AQUATICS CENTRE, BURJ AL ARAB, DUBAI, UNITED
GINGER), PRAGUE, CZECH LONDON, ENGLAND ARAB EMIRATES
FRANK GEHRY ZAHA HADID TOM WRIGHT
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C. TRADITIONAL NIGERIAN ARCHITECTURE

 Traditional architecture can simply be defined as the way of building which makes
serious use of the familiar symbolic forms of a particular culture of a particular people
in a particular place.
 Traditional (precolonial) Nigerian architecture centered on social, cultural and
religious background of the ethnic groups in Nigeria.
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C. TRADITIONAL NIGERIAN ARCHITECTURE

 HAUSA ARCHITECTURE: Houses are designed round a court yard with rooms for
expansion to accommodate more wives and their off-springs, and provide for an
open-air space for the women.
 A typical Hausa home is virtually two houses in one- the inner women restricted area
and the outer male visitors reception area.
 Main entrance feature to the house is the ‘Dakali’ which is a first courtesy reception for
a guest before he is received.
 The next level of reception is the ‘Zaure’ whose furnishing range from mat to rug
depending on the economic standing of the owner.
 The head of family has his unit referred to as ‘Turaka’. This may be a bedroom only or
bedroom and sitting room. The ‘Turaka’ is most strategically located in the compound
to enhance the supervisory and leadership role of the master.
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C. TRADITIONAL NIGERIAN ARCHITECTURE

 The kitchen is located usually far off guard against fire

hazards, reduce heat transfer to neighboring room and
ward off offensive odor from their traditional food recipes.
 Construction of high walls round a court yard to ensure
larger shaded areas, providing a reduction of intense
radiation from the sun, ground and surrounding building.
 higher floor to ceiling heights to allow room for the lighter
hot air to rise and be replaced by the heavier cooler air at
the lower human level.
 Use of thick mud walls to control the thermal conditions of
the internal environment.
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C. TRADITIONAL NIGERIAN ARCHITECTURE

 YORUBA ARCHITECTURE: The Yorubas build courtyard architecture with construction

taking place mostly in the dry season to accelerate dryness and curing.
 The basic form is cuboidal with a rectangular sunken courtyard (helps in carrying away
rainwater), placed in the rectilinear compound.
 A typical compound has only a single entrance (enu ilo) into the compound which
leads to the colonnaded courtyard.
 The rooms are rectangular or square and arranged in a linear pattern to surround the
courtyard, which acts as the centre of activities or point of focus. The household head
occupies the room near the entry gate to provide surveillance and security, and show
hierarchy from oldest to youngest.
 These rooms have small windows and doors, which open to the verandah and the
immediate courtyard.
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C. TRADITIONAL NIGERIAN ARCHITECTURE

 A pitched pyramidal wood structure is placed to

cover the ceiling. The ceiling-space is a storage
area for items such as valuables (e.g. clothes), and
preserved foods such as yam flour, pepper, beans,
etc. The structural roof frames is then covered with
woven thatched-mat.
 Aesthetically, the stucco texture of the walls, the
harmonics effects created by the color of the
ground to the walls and the brownish thatched
roof are captivating. Decorative china pots that
accentuate the entrance to the rooms, carved
motifs on doors and roof supports are equally
gorgeous.
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C. TRADITIONAL NIGERIAN ARCHITECTURE

 IGBO ARCHITECTURE: Igbo traditional architecture adheres to the basic green

architecture principles of energy efficiency and utilization of materials /resources in
close proximity to the site.
 Use of readily available natural materials like:
a. Mud (mixture of clay, sand and silt) used for foundations, floor, walls and sometimes
roof. It is sometimes reinforced with timber.
b. Timber has the qualities of strength, straightness, length, resistance to termite attack,
and durability.
c. Thatch (grass and raffia palm leaflets)is the material traditionally used by the Igbo as
a roof cover. Pitch roofing was the commonest design and pattern of roofing
traditional Igbo buildings in the pre-colonial period.
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C. TRADITIONAL NIGERIAN ARCHITECTURE

 Their architecture had the following characteristics:

a. Circular and oval house types. The circular houses were reserved for the family heads as
continuity of tradition.
b. Square and rectangular plans. These shapes gives room for future expansion.
c. The Obi is the abode of the family head where certain family decisions are taken. It is
located at the centre of the forecourt facing the main gate. The Obi is also symbolic; it
functions as the tempo-spiritual essence of the collective identity.
d. A typical Igbo compound consists of a cluster of huts belonging to individual household
units. The compound wall (ngwulu) of about 1.5m -2.5m height defines the physical
boundary of the compound. An entrance gate is constructed to control access into the
compound. The compound wall, the gates and sometimes the houses are arranged to
enclose a courtyard (mbara ezi) in which all other structures in the compound are
located.
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C. TRADITIONAL NIGERIAN ARCHITECTURE

 The centre of the layout of the Igbo villages is

conceptually significant because it is the
symbolic centre of a people’s universe. Usually,
such a centre is marked by a symbol like a live
pole, an ancestral tree, a shrine or grove.
 Igbo arts and paintings. They have a wide
variety of art including traditional figures, masks
and metal works. The uses of carved wooden
doors as well as Uli painting were an integral
part of the lgbo culture. Among all the artistic
practices of the lgbo women uli wall painting
and mural decoration were most prominent.
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C. TRADITIONAL NIGERIAN ARCHITECTURE

 BENIN ARCHITECTURE: Here, the Oba’s palace is

the most outstanding masterpiece.
 The Benin people were predominantly brass
workers and this shows in bronze plagues on
walls and columns. They always depict war
exploits.
 The Royal palace was divided into living spaces
and an open courtyard.
 IFE ARCHITECTURE: It has some similarities with
Benin architecture differ in the use of terra-cotta
art and stone sculpture.
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D. NIGERIAN MODERN ARCHITECTURE AND
ARCHITECTS

 Nigerian modern architecture was mainly influenced by the industrial age. The colonization
of Nigeria and the bizarre issue of insecurity are also contributors to the present day
architecture in the country. In an attempt to keep out robbers and assassins, building
design must incorporate security features ranging from high fences, tall gates, metal doors
and window bars.
 According to Baku online Magazine, the top five Nigerian architects are:
a. Olajumoke Adenowo: At 14 years, she enrolled at the Obafemi Awolowo university and
graduated in 1988 with a degree in architecture. She is dubbed “Africa’s’ Starchitect”. At
26, She founded AD Consulting which is known for holistic approach to architecture and
interior design.
b. Baba Oladeji: His interest lies in how architecture and politics work together as illustrated in
his futuristic project Fela Memorial force HQ. He is also an eloquent writer. He opts for use
of aluminum panels and balconies in buildings to create a “hotel feel”.
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D. NIGERIAN MODERN ARCHITECTURE AND
ARCHITECTS

c. Hassan Anifowose: The co-founder of Chronos Studeos in Lagos, He is a twin, gamer and
red belt in taekwondo. He is passionate about 3D visualization and enhancing the experience
of architecture and design. His star project is at Eko Atlantic, a new coastal city that combines
retail, office and residential spaces on a reclaimed land.
d. Jide Adekola: The principal partner at Homework Development. He has a strong liking for
modern and sustainable design with a particular interest in green architecture. He has
intentions of resolving the housing deficit in Nigeria through affordable mini estates of 1,2 and
3 bedroom apartments.
e. Kunle Adeyemi: He is an architect, designer and urbanist who is committed to improving
living conditions in rapidly growing cities in developing countries with an alternative
architectural design. His star project, the Makoko floating school has put innovative
architecture in Nigeria on the map.
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D. NIGERIAN MODERN ARCHITECTURE AND
ARCHITECTS

MAKOKO FLOATING SCHOOL, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE HIGHRISE BUILDING, EKO

LAGOS HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA ATLANTIC, LAGOS
KUNLE ADEYEMI OLAJUMOKE ADENOWO HASSAN ANIFOWOSE
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D. NIGERIAN MODERN ARCHITECTURE AND
ARCHITECTS

 Some other notable Nigerian Architects –

a. Professor Ekundayo Adeyinka Adeyemi is the first professor of architecture on Nigeria.
b. Professor Stella Zubaira is the first female professor of architecture.
c. Rear Admiral Itunu Hotonu is the first female admiral in Africa.
d. Alex Ekwueme was the first elected Vice President of Nigeria.
e. Dr Lanre Towry-Coker is the first Commissioner for Works and Housing, Lagos
f. Olorogun Felix Ibru was the first democratically elected Governor of Delta State.
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D. NIGERIAN MODERN ARCHITECTURE AND
ARCHITECTS

 Some notable buildings in Nigeria are enumerated below:

a. Central Bank of Nigeria, Lagos
b. Federal Ministry of Defense, Abuja
c. National Theatre, Lagos
d. Ecowas Building, Abuja
e. The Senate Building, Federal Republic of Nigeria – ITB Nigeria Ltd
f. Civic Centre, Lagos
g. NDDC Headquarters, Port Harcourt
h. NNPC towers, Abuja
i. International Conference Centre, Abuja – Design Group Nigeria
j. Ecumenical Centre, Abuja – Darchiwork Group
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D. NIGERIAN MODERN ARCHITECTURE AND
ARCHITECTS

 SOME CULTURALLY HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN NIGERIA

MARY SLESSOR HOUSE, NATIONAL WAR MUSEUM, FIRST STOREY BUILDING,

CALABAR, CROSS UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE BADAGARY, NIGERIA
RIVERS STATE
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D. NIGERIAN MODERN ARCHITECTURE AND
ARCHITECTS

GOBARAU MINARET, KATSINA ANCIENT NOK SETTLEMENT, OBA OF BENIN PALACE, EDO STATE
KADUNA
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D. NIGERIAN MODERN ARCHITECTURE AND
ARCHITECTS

ANCIENT KANO CITY WALLS FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NATIONAL WAR MUSEUM, BENIN
CALABAR
I WISH YOU SUCCESS!!!