Most Houses Ignore Place — This Abuja House Didn’t скачать в хорошем качестве

Most Houses Ignore Place — This Abuja House Didn’t

Designing a House in Abuja | Architecture Grounded in Place What does it mean to design a house that truly belongs to its place? In this video, I walk through the design concept of a residential project in Abuja, Nigeria, where architecture begins not with form, but with context — culture, climate, land, and human experience. Every project starts by listening. Listening to the history and vernacular architecture, to how people have lived and adapted over time. Listening to the site itself — the topography, light, wind, temperature, and atmosphere. Every place has a mood, and that mood shapes the architecture. Abuja is a unique city where people from many Nigerian ethnic groups come together, forming a diverse and dynamic community. This inspired a design concept based on contrast: Open, welcoming spaces for guests and social gatherings Enclosed, inward-focused spaces for private family life The house is conceived as an open pavilion emerging from a private core, connected by courtyards and layered circulation. Movement flows naturally from open to semi-open to enclosed spaces, transforming circulation into an architectural journey rather than a rigid plan. The design also draws inspiration from Hausa vernacular architecture, particularly the concept of the Zaure — a transitional space between public and private life. Here, it is reinterpreted as a flexible studio space for work, reading, and controlled entry. Located in the Gudu District of Abuja, the sloping site opens toward eastern views and the surrounding landscape. Stone becomes the primary material choice, grounding the house in Abuja’s ancient geology. Laid in a dry-stack method, the walls filter light and shadow, creating a deep connection between architecture and nature. A lightweight floating roof contrasts with the heavy stone base, expressing a dialogue between tradition and modernity. This project explores how architecture can be modern, yet deeply rooted — responding to place rather than ignoring it. 🏗 Topics covered in this video: Architecture in Abuja Residential design in Nigeria Vernacular and cultural architecture Courtyard houses Climate-responsive design Hausa architecture concepts Architecture grounded in place 💬 Let’s talk: Do you think modern houses in Abuja reflect their environment and culture? Share your thoughts in the comments. 📩 Working with me I design residential architecture online for clients in Nigeria and across Africa, with a strong focus on place-based, climate-responsive design.