19/12/2018
Ode to an Icon Of Nigerian Architecture
Sunday Adebiyi Alabi (fnia)
1943-2018
We celebrate those who have trodden the paths of architecture and shown us the true hallmarks of a Master-Builder.
Architect Biyi Alabi inspired many in thought, speech and action.
He bestrode the Nigerian architecture landscape like a colossus. Faithful to his calling as an architect, unrelenting in his pursuit of skilled craftsmanship towards effective project delivery.
To him, the small parts made up the whole and the whole was seen through the small parts.
He was a pioneer in many ways-
His buildings responded to the environment.
His buildings were steeped in cultural relevance.
His buildings tested materials and revealed their inherent characteristics.
His attention to details was legendary. It was always a delight to look through drawings from his stables. They revealed a thorough understanding of how buildings work, how they relate to site conditions and how a contractor is supposed to carry out the construction. There were no assumptions and therefore very little room for error.
He was a very opinionated and colorful person who spoke his mind on any issue, a quality to be admired.
He mentored many architects directly
And indirectly- His influence in architecture went far beyond his own boundaries.
He was our answer to the revered Frank Lloyd Wright - I happen to have seen and studied some of his projects so can make the comparison.
Their personas were similar, flamboyant in a quiet way. While Frank occasionally made an entrance in a cape, Biyi would show up in his Babanriga. They loved their cars and nestled their buildings in nature.
Their interpretation of scale was similar, the human being was the reference. Frank’s Taliesen West and Biyi’s Usuma street residence in Particular share a similar scale and vista while seated in low similarly designed furniture.
Even the choice of colors, determined by nature and the red window frames was indicative of some common influence.
Whether it was natural stone and burnt bricks veneer or the tyrolean-finished walls, Biyi Alabi did it with style.
The sunken lounges and courtyards were ubiquitous as were the brise-soleil and passive solutions in response to climatic conditions- These features were evident in the homes he designed including all the homes he designed for himself.
The Raw Materials Building on Shehu Shagari road, the Revenue Mobilisation Office all in Abuja, the Dicon house, Kaduna and First Consultants Hospital at Obalende Lagos, toyed with burnt bricks Veneer. The CBN Governors and Deputy governors’ residences in Abuja played with the all-white tyrolean-finished walls in such a delectable manner, it spoke of craftsmanship and reminded you of the all-white traditional outfits he always donned.
He played with the butterfly roofs at the National Teachers’ Institute in Kaduna. Then lean-to roofs, later it was the traditional gable roofs and then the hipped roof so clearly evident in his home and office combo on Usuma street in Abuja. In each case the search for the vernacular was evident.
His institutional buildings searched for meaning and content, clearly evident in the Ministry of foreign affairs building in Abuja.
The National hospital with its district octagonal shapes, white walls and green roof framing courtyards encourages wellness. The detailing of the elements are quintessentially ‘Habitatesque’ (The name if his firm was Habitat Associates).
He also left his mark in the First Consultants Hospital (Nigeria’s ground zero in the fight against Ebola). The delicate use of bricks veneer and stucco exudes class.
The Eagle Square is another of his civic projects- open yet warm- delicately crafted and detailed steel members covered yet again by His green roof in keeping with the colors of our flag is rather eclectic- mixing different influences.
You always knew his perimeter fences, gates and gatehouses from a distance. Always uniquely different.
Not one to be left out of trends in Architecture, his collaboration with others to deliver the NCC headquarters opposite Nicon Hilton Hotel in Abuja, not exactly de-constructivist but certainly refreshingly different spoke of a man with vision and on a mission.
His works must of a necessity be appropriately documented and studied as part of the curriculum in Nigerian architectural institutions the same way we study Frank Lloyd Wright, Corbusier, Zaha Hadid and others as he is inducted into the Pantheon of Legends!!!
He will be sorely missed but we can take solace in the fact that he will continue to be with us through his various buildings.
Adieu senior colleague!!!
Tunde Oyekola.
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