The Monument symbolizes the diversity of the Nigerian ethnicities.
COMMUNITY CENTER
Competition | Abuja, Nigeria | 2011
The origin of the word “community” is the Latin word communis, which means “common.” It is intriguing to note the similarity between the etymologies of community and communication, the latter deriving from the Latin verb communicare, which signifies “sharing.” Therefore, communities can be understood as social constructs composed of people who share common values, beliefs, and traditions.
This project aims to facilitate the formation of strong social and cultural ties within the ethnically diverse Nigerian capital. Historically, cities and communities developed around intersections of travel paths and trade routes, as these provided means for exchanging information and resources. The community center lies at the intersection of pedestrian paths, breaking the rectilinear pattern of Abuja’s gridded road layout while connecting adjacent city blocks. Two plazas for gatherings, festivals, and temporary markets amplify this intersection, while 361 bronze columns symbolize the ethnic and cultural diversity of Nigeria.
The building’s plan takes cues from the traditional courtyard houses of the mud-roofed style of the Hausa people, as well as common household layouts found in the savanna. The inner structure is divided by passages that form three programmatic groups connected by an elongated atrium. The building employs an array of traditional cooling and ventilation strategies used in the vernacular architecture of Nigeria.
the Monument symbolizing the diversity of the Nigerian ethnicities at night
Facades
Plan. Connection between The Center and The National Mosque
Skylight domes provide natural cool northern light and vegetated roof serves as a recreational greenland while cooling the structure
Exploded view exposing plaza and underground parking
The community center's amphitheater with concrete overhang that blocks strong African sun.
The Center is cut by pedestrian paths that connect the Abujan community with the plaza.
The skylight cones are designed to block southern and zenith sun
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