REDEVELOPMENT OF THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE OF NORTHERN NIGERIA (T.C.N.N) BUKURU, JOS, PLATEAU STATE

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Date
2013-06
Authors
NUBUNGA, PAVALI DINSHIYA
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Abstract
Many ecclesiastical buildings (seminary buildings inclusive) seem not to have a defined identity in Nigeria and appear just as any normal building. The principle of “form follow function” is absent in many seminaries and many ecclesiastical buildings. Thus, one cannot easily identify or differentiate them from any other building form. There is therefore a need to create a distinctive form that uses certain ecclesiastical elements such as the cross, stars, arches, circles or dove in order to give seminary buildings an identity. In the earliest days of the Christian religion, not only were there no buildings specially consecrated to Eucharistic worship but theological schools or seminaries were also not yet established. The assemblies for liturgical service were held in private houses (Acts 2:46; Romans 16:15; I Corinthians 16:15; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 2). The assemblies which the first Christians held in the temple of Jerusalem, in the synagogues or even in hired halls, were assemblies for instruction or for prayer (Acts 5:12-13, 17:1- 2; 19:9). At the end of the second century and even later, during the persecution, assemblies for Christian worship were still held in private houses. During this epoch, however, we begin to hear of the “domus ecclesiae” (the house of the church) an edifice used for all the services of the Christian community, in which one apartment was specially set apart for devine worship. At an early date, this apartment took on a special importance. During the third century, the other parts of the building were detached from it and domus ecclesiae became the domus Dei (the house of God) known also as the Dominicum. Ecclesiastical buildings comprehend all constructions erected for the celebration of liturgical acts, whatever be the name given to them: - church, chapel, oratory, basilica, etc. Now, since liturgical acts celebrated in ecclesiastical buildings (churches) are taught in theological schools (seminaries), there exist a strong bond of a symbiotic relationship between the former and the later. They also have common identities (ecclesiastical elements) as portrayed in this research work to communicate what they are designed for to all and sundry. vii In these redevelopment proposals, the desired aim and objectives of the study is to create an ecclesiastical identity (using ecclesiastical elements) in any seminary design. Study how best these elements can also create symbolism. The researcher uses literature reviews and case study methodology, which is characterized by a purposeful selection of three existing seminaries in three geopolitical jones (North, East and West) of Nigeria. This was conducted by means of multiple methods of data collection (Johansson, 2010) in this work. The researcher set out to find out the ecclesiastical elements that could create an ecclesiastical identity and symbolism in seminary design. A set of variables such as planning and organization , harmony between the development and the site building form (Geometry and Architectural Expression, identity and symbolism) and building materials and techniques were critically studied in the existing seminaries in three selected geo-political zones (North, West and East) of Nigeria. Findings reveal that, the design of all the seminaries had chapel at the centre of the seminary layout such that there is always a vista between a visitor entering the main entrance gate of a seminary and the chapel (oriented for its approach elevation to face the main gate) symbolic of ecclesiastical setting/layout to give the chapel prominence in any seminary design. The seminaries had beautiful landscape adorned with flowers on walk ways, main entrance, drive ways, and road networks including sporting facilities. The most prevalent planning pattern observed was the loose- tie type concept. Instead of centralizing the central administration, then surrounded by academic area, facilities and residential on opposite sides of the central administration, the chapel was rather centralized and academic area, facilities and residential areas are located at opposite sides of the chapel given it a focal location. Thus, separate development of each activity area and flexibility needed for future expansion are ensured
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POST-GRADUATE SCHOOL, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN ARCHITECTURE (M.Sc. Arch) DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE, FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA June, 2013
Keywords
REDEVELOPMENT,, THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE,, NORTHERN NIGERIA,, BUKURU, JOS,,, PLATEAU STATE.
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