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
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