ORGANISATION OF AFRICAN UNITY (O.A.U.) REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AT ABUJA (A SEARCH FOR A FUNCTIONAL ARCHITECTURAL EXPRESSION)
ORGANISATION OF AFRICAN UNITY (O.A.U.) REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AT ABUJA (A SEARCH FOR A FUNCTIONAL ARCHITECTURAL EXPRESSION)
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Date
1992-06
Authors
Oladele, OGUNROMBI,
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Abstract
A B S T R A C T
This project is a design proposal for an Organisation
of African Unity (O.A.U.) Regional Secretariat at
Abuja, Nigeria in the West African region. The O.A.U.
is expected to play more important roles in Africa and
in the World at large. Hence some decentralisation
will be inevitable and Nigeria is likely to play the role
of regional leadership. The proposed complex is expected
to complement the f a c i l i t i e s of the existing O.A.U.
Secretariat at Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. It will also
complement the E.C.O.W.A.S. Secretariat and other United
Nations agencies in Abuja.
An attempt is made in the design to blend some
symbols and forms of expression in African architecture.
Some of these include domes and pyramids for roofs,
arches for entrances and openings, courtyards (layouts
which emphasize a common focal point), using modern
technology. These symbols depict regional identity in
aesthetic and visual context, having harnessed the rich
architectural history of Africa. To achieve the proposed
design, relevant case-studies were appraised and were
incorporated as deemed necessary. This ensures maximum
u t i l i z a t i o n of the complex with regard to the special
considerations that the project demands.
In addition, v i s i t s were made to Abuja to determine
the s u i t a b i l i t y of the suggested s i t e adjacent to the
E.C.O.W.A.S. Secretariat at Abuja. It is hoped that the
proposal would serve as a model for other African subregions
to adopt.
Description
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY
ZARIA.
Keywords
ORGANISATION,, AFRICAN,, UNITY,, REGIONAL,, HEADQUARTERS,, ABUJA,, SEARCH,, FUNCTIONAL,, ARCHITECTURAL,, EXPRESSION