Department of Architecture

FederalUniversity of Technology, Yola

AR 403: Theory of Architecture III (Current Trends in Nigerian Architecture) Course Outline

Number of Units: 2

Course description

This course describes the modern trends in contemporary architecture globally and discusses contemporary modern architecture in Nigeria. The classification of modern Nigerian architecture is presented. Specific styles and trends in the historical style are discussed in detail including traditional architecture, the regional trend, the European trend, the colonial style, the Brazilian trend, the North African trend, Sudanese architecture and vernacular architecture. The traditional architecture of the South-Western, South-Eastern, Central and Northern regions of Nigeriais discussed. The leading trends in the modern style of Nigerian architecture are described, including the modern style, the international style, the pure modern, low trop and high trop trends, the new West African style, the nouveau rich trend, the late modern trend and the post modern trend. The architecture of the pioneers of contemporary modern Nigerian architecture and the architecture of leading architectural firms in Nigeria are described. Examples of significant modern buildings in Nigeria, the architecture of Nigerian universities and the Federal Capital and Lagos are given.

Course Content

  1. Modern Trends in Architecture: Art Nouveau, the International Style, Modernism, Late-modernism, Post-modernism, Futurism, Constructivism, Structuralism, Deconstructivism.
  2. Contemporary modern architecture in Nigeria. The problem of identity, modern technologies, fire disasters in buildings, maintenance problem, climatic considerations.
  3. Classification of Nigerian Architecture. The Historical Style. Traditional Architecture. The Modern Style. The Regional Trend.
  4. The Historical Style in Nigerian Architecture. European Trend and Colonial Style. Brazilian Trend and Brazilian Style. North African Trend and Sudanese Architecture. Vernacular Architecture.
  5. Traditional Architecture and the Traditional Style. The Regional Trend. The traditional architecture of Yola. Traditional architecture in the South-Western and Central region. Traditional architecture in the Eastern region.Traditional architecture in the Northern region.
  6. The International Style in Nigerian Architecture. The Pure Modern, Low Trop and High Trop trends. The New West African Style. The Nouveau Rich Trend. The Late Modern Trend. The Post Modern Trend.
  7. Architectural Practice in Nigeria:Climate and building form, indigenous building materials and local labour, the regional style and national character, ornament and decoration, post-modern forms, imposition of designs on architects, transplanted buildings, respect for existing buildings and site configuration, building maintenance, conservation and preservation, sustainable architecture.
  8. Pioneers of Contemporary Modern Nigerian Architecture.Registration of Architects in Nigeria. The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA). The Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON). Oluwole Olumuyiwa. Pa Onafowokan, Ella and Waziri, Chief Fola Alade, John Godwin and Gillian Hopwood, Chief Layi Balogun, Femi Majekodunmi. Johnston
  9. The Architecture of Pioneer Architectural Firms in Nigeria.Establishment of architectural firms in Nigeria. Design philosophies, Effect of political and economic events. Archcon Nigeria, Deji Oyenuga and Partners. Design Group Nigeria, Egbor and Associates, Ella Waziri Associates, Environmental Development Consultants, Godwin Hopwood Kuye, James Cubitt and Partners, Multi-Systems Consultants, New Methods Design Associates,Niger Consultants, Oluwole Olumuyiwa and Associates, Ronald Ward Associates, Towry-Coker Associates, Triad Associates.
  10. Significant Modern Buildings in Nigeria: First Bank Headquarters, Lagos, Central Cafetaria, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, NNPC Building, Lagos, Lagos University Science Complex, Headquarters for Mobil Oil and Mobil Producing Company, Lagos, Management House, Lagos, Lecture Theatres, University of Sokoto, Senate Building, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Twin Lecture Thetares, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Bank of the North Headquarters, Kano.
  11. The Architecture of 1st Generation Nigerian Universities.AhmaduBelloUniversity, Zaria. ObafemiAwolowoUniversity, Ile-Ife. University of Benin, Benin. University of Ibadan, Ibadan, University of Lagos, Lagos,University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
  12. The Architecture of other State and FederalNigerianUniversities.AmbroseAlliUniversity, Ekpoma, BenueStateUniversity, Makurdi, FederalUniversity of Technology, Akure. Federal University of Technology, Minna, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Kogi State University, Akungba, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, University of Jos, Delta State University, Abraka.
  13. The Architecture of private Nigerian Universities.CovenantUniversity, Otta, BabcockUniversity, Ilisan-Remo.
  14. The Architecture of Lagos: National Stadium, Lagos.National Theatre, Lagos. Marina, Lagos. Housing estates. Hotels. Banks.
  15. The Architecture of Abuja.The Abuja Master Plan. National Stadium, Abuja. Central Business District, Abuja. The Presidential Villa. The National Assembly. Housing estates.Hotels. Banks.
  16. Evolution and Prospects of Nigerian Architecture: The structure of architectural firms, changing profiles of clients from government to private sector, effect of the economy, conservation and preservation, climatic and cultural determinants, technological determinants.

Assessment

Attendance and tests:10%.

Assignment 1:10%.

Assignment 2:10%.

Assignment 3:10%.

Examination:60%.

Recommended reading

  1. Adeyemi, E.A. (19751976). Changing Traditional Culture and Modern Architecture. In: Archiforum Magazine. No. 1, pp. 1219.
  2. Akinsemoyin, K. and Vaughan Richards, A. (1977). Building Lagos. F. and A. Services, Lagos.
  3. Awotona, A (1986). Aspects of Nigerian Architecture. In: NIA Journal Vol. 2. No.3. October-December, pp. 55.
  4. Clarke, J.D. (1984). A Visual History of Nigeria. Evans Brothers Limited, London.
  5. Denyer, S. (1978). African Traditional Architecture. Heineman Educational Books Ltd., London.
  6. Kultermann, U. (1969). New Directions in African Architecture. George Braziller, New York.
  7. Oliver, P. (1976). Shelter in Africa. Barrie Jenkins Ltd., London.
  8. Prucnal-Ogunsote, B. (1994).”A Study of Modern Trends in Some Aspects of Architecture in Nigeria”. Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of Architecture, AhmaduBelloUniversity, Zaria.
  9. Prucnal-Ogunsote, B. (2001). Classification of Nigerian Architecture. Journal of the Association of Architectural Educators in Nigeria (AARCHESJ), 1:6, 48-56. AARCHES, Akure
  10. Prucnal-Ogunsote, B. (2002). The International Style in Nigeria: Technological and Cultural Bridge - or Disaster? Journal of Environmental Technology, 1:1, 102-114. School of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure.
  11. Prucnal-Ogunsote, B. (2005). Reflection of Culture and Climate in the Vernacular and Modern Architecture of Akure. Proceedings of the International Conference on Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure. 14-19 August, 2005.

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