8 things to know about architecture (1)

This makes it vital that the ordinary citizens of a country, and elite alike, engage in a better dialogue with the built environment. Here are eight simple but important issues that I believe every Nigerian should know about architecture. 1. Architects don’t know everythingNever hesitate to share your ideas with the architect. If you feel […]

This makes it vital that the ordinary citizens of a country, and elite alike, engage in a better dialogue with the built environment. Here are eight simple but important issues that I believe every Nigerian should know about architecture.

1. Architects don’t know everything
Never hesitate to share your ideas with the architect. If you feel something is not right about the building process or design, don’t be afraid to ask questions; even if the rimmed glasses he wears like Professor John Nerdelbaum Frink, Jr. convinces you he is more knowledgeable than Okonjo Iweala and Lamido Sanusi put together. I mean this, even if he projects the charming swagger of Ice Prince, still, clear your doubts if in doubt.
Believe me, there are things you know about the kind of experience you desire from your building that the architect couldn’t have had the slightest idea of, even though I confidently second the claim that architects are expected to know a little about everything. But then, even Einstein didn’t know a little about everything, right? Don’t forget: It is not the architect who will inhabit your building.

 2. You don’t need to be rich to experience good architecture
Many houses in our villages do a better job at providing comfortable living and evoking a sense of identity than many building contraptions in our cities. That’s because the local building materials, the natural landscape, the sustainable building processes and organic layout all come together in a harmonious way.
Good architecture makes you comfortable and happy. You don’t need to go broke to make this happen. With a careful selection of common building materials (which are then creatively integrated into the building) and a simple but elegant landscape plan, a lovely piece of architecture can result. So, while the expensive, cleverly designed buildings that stretch technology to the limits will most times draw out our admiration, it is a small, inexpensive building that exudes a simple beauty, allows great natural ventilation, has indoor and outdoor spaces linked functionally, is neat and strong, and can be easily maintained, that many times wins in the end.

3. More money doesn’t mean more bedrooms
It’s great to have the resources to build really spacious buildings where you, your family and dependants can live comfortably. Having said that, because you have lots of money to spend doesn’t mean you need to have a 20-bedroom triplex. You probably want to show all the witches in your village that their brand of magic didn’t get a hold on you, that it’s your time to shine…
But hold on. What will happen when you grow old and your kids and dependants no longer live with you? If you feel you will always be able to foot the high cost of maintaining such a palatial house, don’t you think at some point you will go mad from loneliness and the irrational fear at night of ghosts and mermaids and witches occupying the many rooms?
4. Architecture is not all about the building
Architecture does not strictly concern itself with structures within the boundaries of a plot of land. It is more than that, much more than the number of bedrooms and columns a building has. Architecture occupies a stratum in the built environment from which it influences and is influenced. Not to mention the mostly overlooked fact that architecture is intricately tied to other disciplines like landscape architecture, urban design, interior design and engineering, which are all necessary for creating architecture that works.
Let’s say you do the quite common thing of buying a piece of land in a ghetto for say N150,000 to ‘save money’ even when you plan to build a N50 million mansion on it. Classic case of being penny wise, pound foolish.
First, you will be psychologically oppressing the inhabitants of the shanties that will surround such a house. Second, you can’t really blame the poor people of the area when they are tempted to rob your house or do some other dangerous things to you on your way home from work. Then, imagine the depression that will come from constantly taking the Bentley or Mercedes Benz you love so much for expensive repairs all because of the terrible roads leading to your house. Roads that those in the neighbourhood are very comfortable with because their affordable means of transport-legs, bicycles, motorbikes – are quite suited for such roads. Always remember that architecture is a contextual intervention.
It is sad, though, that governments, real estate developers, and the average Nigerian are much more interested in architecture at the plot level. They fail to see that constructing neat, good roads that are coherently laid out; providing innovatively designed and well-planned waste disposal systems (refuse collection especially); incorporating sustainable, alternative power supply; and reserving ample areas for sports and recreation are very important for the overall success of the building in providing a great quality of life for its inhabitants.
Okopi has a Masters degree in Architecture from ABU, Zaria. He engages with architecture and nature on his website www.samuelokopi.com