Transformation and Continuity of Architecture in Kaduna City, Nigeria, From 1900 – 2000

Abstract

Transformation and Continuity of Architecture in Kaduna City, Nigeria, From 1900 – 2000 Quirix, W. B; Suleman, N. E Abstract Kaduna City was established by the colonial government in 1912 as an administrative headquarters. Since then, Kaduna has maintained its initial function as an administrative headquarters passing through various administrations; colonial, military and civilian respectively. The architecture of the town has passed through various transforming experiences. This paper reviews the context of the architectural development of Kaduna, from 1900-2000 identifying the factors that have shaped it, styles, elements of transformation and continuity and architects involved in the process. A questionnaire as well as structured interviews and building survey have been used to articulate opinions, perceptions and views of a carefully selected sample of respondents. The paper concludes that the major factors that affected the development of architecture in Kaduna city include its growth as primate city, diversity of people that flocked into the city in search of the opportunities, the choice of the city as an administrative headquarters, the work of the expatriate architects that laid the foundation and the indigenous architects that built on their works. Great transformation is seen in the progression from various architectural styles from the neoclassical style of the colonial period to the enhanced modern/postmodern architecture of the 2000s while continuity manifests in the elements that appear in the traditional architecture such as dome and arches and in the climate consciousness of the plan with courtyards. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jea.v3n1a14