In modern Nigeria, the architectural design of homes generally is born from the mix of modern and traditional African influences. Modern Nigerian house designs typically feature sleek lines, large windows, and exemplary use of color. The Modern Nigeria House Design is a reflection of the great advances being made in the Nigerian construction industry. People are embracing modern techniques and styles which have been further influenced by the integration of regional and neighboring countries and cultures. A popular modern Nigeria house design features a courtyard-style, allowing air to circulate throughout the building, with clean, straight lines, and open gardens which add to the overall beauty of the structure. This type of design is ideal for homeowners who want to achieve a contemporary look and feel while embracing traditional African influences.Modern Nigeria House Design
Modern Nigeria House Design
A Contemporary Nigeria House Design can range from being iconic to extraordinary. It often characterizes modernism defined by an edgy, crisp cut and an absence of clutter. Many contemporary Nigerian house designs have sloped roofs, usually with intersecting or overlapping gables. Floor-to ceiling windows are one of the main features of contemporary homes, usually with large expanses of glass to let in a considerable amount of natural light. Many contemporary homes also feature the use of open-plan designs for entertainment, with the living room, dining area and kitchen being integrated into one bigger space. Contemporary Nigeria House Designs also integrate eco-friendly features like solar panels and sustainable materials or energy into their design. Contemporary Nigeria House Design
Contemporary Nigeria House Design
The Traditional Nigeria House Design showcases the Nigerian culture and history through its unique use of materials and craftsmanship. Traditional Nigerian house designs retain the cultural and regional influences of the Nigerian homebuilding craftsmanship. This design typically features a heavy reliance on natural materials, including clay, soil, and wood. Roofs are commonly made of either terracotta tile, mud, or straw, while walls are usually built with natural clay. Floors are crafted with locally sourced materials, with accents of hand-embossed designs in some homes. Traditional homes are often designed in a courtyard style, with walls surrounding a series of interconnected spaces. Windows can range from small shuttered openings to larger rectangular fixtures for air circulation and view.Traditional Nigeria House Design
Traditional Nigeria House Design
A Bungalow Nigeria House Design is a popular choice for people looking for simplified house designs usually set on a foundation with a low-pitched roof and wide eaves on each side. Due to their smaller size, bungalows require less energy to heat and cool, making them cost-effective and eco-friendly options. Bungalows are typically constructed using a range of traditional material, like wood and terracotta, with plenty of natural light coming through windows and skylights. The bungalow house design often features single-storied spaces to maximize floor area and utilize the available space efficiently. Bungalow Nigeria House Design
Bungalow Nigeria House Design
The Hausa Nigeria House Design is a traditional African house design that is defined by its unique use of arcaded porches and constructed out of adobe clay and other natural materials. Many Hausa homes also incorporate a variation of Islamic stylistic elements seen in the incorporation of pointed arches around the entrance doorway. The structures range from small single-room homes to large estates of interconnected structures like a compound. Many of the houses do also feature flat-to-medium sloping roofs which are angular and constructed with wood or other natural materials. In most homes, the floor is made of burnished mud, covered in a traditional rug, while the walls contain intricate hand-painted murals.Hausa Nigeria House Design
Hausa Nigeria House Design
The Yoruba Nigeria House Design is a unique style of African architecture that is heavily influenced by Yoruba culture. These homes are noted for their attention to artistic detail and intricacy, with many of the walls and doors adorned with hand-painted panels and hand-carved wooden columns. The overall design of a Yoruba home often takes a rectangular shape and contains a central courtyard. A central sitting area is usually set with two or three rooms surrounding it. The roof is typically low and steeply sloped with terracotta tiles, while expansive windows with shutters are commonly found to allow for air circulation and natural light. Yoruba Nigeria House Design
Yoruba Nigeria House Design
The Igbo Nigeria House Design is heavily influences by the cultural and traditional background of the Igbo region. This style usually takes a circular shape with the walls made of mud bricks. The entrances to Igbo homes are commonly through a red or white painted board door and are flanked with pillars and carvings. The walls are typically decorated with hand-painted colorful motifs and cowrie symbols, while the roof is generally built of straw and sometimes cement and supported by mangrove wood beams. Igbo Nigeria House Design
Igbo Nigeria House Design
The Gothic Nigeria House Design is a distinct style of architecture characterized by its pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and intricate designs. This type of house design combines grandeur with modernist minimalist style, providing both luxury and comfort. Gothic Nigerian houses usually take a rectangular shape, with one or two stories, and show the strong influence of Gothic architecture in its intricate detailing. They often feature high-pitched roofs with ribbed vaults, and large pointed arch windows to provide for plenty of natural light. Gothic Nigeria House Design
Gothic Nigeria House Design
The Roman Nigeria House Design, also known as the Bilikisu Sugar House Design, was an innovation in architecture that was developed by a powerful group of women found in Edo and Ondo States in southern Nigeria. This type of structure was designed to use the African sun to its maximum potential, with a triangular-shaped ceiling and open-air windows that reach from the rafters to the railing. To ensure proper moisture control, the roof was typically made of galvanized iron sheets sealed with a clayey coal layer. The walls of these houses were made out of wicker material and were filled in with clay, while also providing enough ventilation to keep the rooms cool during the hot African summers.Roman Nigeria House Design
Roman Nigeria House Design
The Art Deco Nigeria House Design is a reflection of the Art Deco movement of the early 20th century, bringing with it a sense of opulence and extravagance. This architectural style typically features a low-pitched roof and wide eaves that wrap around the house in a symmetrical pattern, and large rectangular windows accents with abstracted ridging. The walls in an Art Deco home may be covered in stone or brick, while other materials like wrought iron, marble, and wood are also commonly featured in the design. The overall style of an Art Deco Nigeria house is modern and bold, providing the perfect backdrop to feature iconic décor from the early part of the 20th century.Art Deco Nigeria House Design
Art Deco Nigeria House Design
The Classic Nigeria House Design is an unmistakable style of African architecture known for its warm and inviting character. It incorporates traditional features like brightly-colored porches, exposed beam roofs, and vibrant flowerbeds. The classic Nigeria house design also features a sensible use of natural materials, typically combinations of adobe, wooden and terracotta. While the classic Nigeria house design has been simplified over the years, it still maintains its traditional aesthetic that is steeped in comfort and grandeur.Classic Nigeria House Design
Classic Nigeria House Design
Exploring Nigeria House Design
The architecture of Nigerian house design is steeped in centuries of tradition, but it still reflects an openness to modern trends and developments. As the most populous country in Africa and the largest economy on the continent, Nigeria offers some of the most exciting examples of residential architecture.
Traditional House Design
The traditional style of house design in Nigeria is based primarily on its cultural heritage. Common elements include round walls, a covered courtyard, and Arabic-style columns and arches. The roofs are typically shallow and curved in a U shape, and may have decorations and symbols from the Hausa, Yoruba, or Igbo communities.
Modern Nigerian House Design
Modern Nigerians house design reflect urban living as well as more artistic styles. For small city lots, homes are often built with multi-levels, and the entrances can feature balconies or a modern look. Many contemporary houses are made from wood, but stone, concrete, and other materials can all be used. Some of the most popular modern designs are inspired by Nigerian crafts, including adire, adinkra, and other fabric designs.
Decoration Elements
The decoration of Nigerian houses generally reflect the culture of the people living in them. Common posters, art pieces, and other objects may come from the surrounding community, or from the wider Igbo, Yoruba, or Hausa culture. Furniture, fabrics, and carpets are often woven from local plants, including raffia, grass, and dye from annatto. Decorations are often painted with vegetable dyes and stencils, so the color palette is quite varied and includes deep oranges, yellow, and brown.
Design Trends for the Future
As Nigeria moves towards a more urbanized future, house design is becoming increasingly modernized. Care is taken to preserve traditional architecture, while at the same time incorporating more contemporary touches. In particular, designs are becoming more efficient and versatile, due to the growing needs of the people living in them. As Nigeria builds an increasingly modern infrastructure, look for more energy-efficient buildings and the use of modern construction materials.
