The project required the re-configuring and rebuilding of an existing 1800 sq.m commercial building located in the predominately ‘high-end’ residential area of Ikoyi, Lagos. The once, tree-lined streets and low-density colonial buildings of Ikoyi are rapidly changing. Rapidly, being replaced by high rise concrete and aluminium clad apartment blocks. The existing building, historically was often referred to by residents as an ‘ eye-sore’.
Our program wanted to understand how we could subvert this ‘eye-sore’ idea, by re-defining a building that looked back to origin and beauty. This new ‘non-residential’ building is now, with some ‘cheek’ asking questions about the value we place on locality, green space and nature. The building material pallet of Abeokuta and Mali stone, the terracotta potted plant façade and water feature (which engages beyond the building line) create an experience that harks back to the areas historical urban footprint and typology. Whilst allowing a degree of self-reflection on the current strain caused by the role of commercial building encroachment within the low density residential neighbourhood in addition to local solutions for materiality use.
