(Ebook) A Lesson from Vernacular Architecture in Nigeria by Ph.D. Candidate Joyce Lodson , Ph.D. Candidate JOHN EMMANUEL OGBEBA , Dr. UGOCHUKWU KENECHI ELINWA

(Ebook) A Lesson from Vernacular Architecture in Nigeria by Ph.D. Candidate Joyce Lodson , Ph.D. Candidate JOHN EMMANUEL OGBEBA , Dr. UGOCHUKWU KENECHI ELINWA

Contemporary architecture has its roots from the vernacular. Every cultural group inthe world has its own form of vernacular though the approach may vary from place toplace and from people to people. Vernacular architecture has many values which arerelevant to contemporary architecture today. This paper looks at vernaculararchitecture in Nigeria as practiced by two ethnic groups who have varying climatic,religious and socio-cultural practices. The approaches to architecture by these twogroups, i.e. the Hausas and Igbos, are looked at with the intention of finding positivevalues in the vernacular which can be applied to the contemporary. One of suchvalues as seen in this paper is the harmony of traditional building materials withnature. Local building materials are able to meet housing needs without havingdetrimental effect on the environment. More emphasis should therefore be given tolocal building materials in the building industry today. The paper concludes bystating that for contemporary architecture to adequately meet the needs of man today,vernacular values which apply to the cultural and climatic needs of such placesshould be selected and imbibed.JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY URBAN AFFAIRS (2018) 2(1), 84-95.https://doi.org/10.25034/ijcua.2018.3664