Filled with a variety of landscapes to the ranges of mountains, Nigeria is a diverse location. But problems like poverty, terrorism, and corruption are much beyond the natural interventions. This has created a huge wave of unemployment across the place; affecting their only positive and promising source; the youth. Perhaps due to its economic problems or the political ups and downs, there are a lot of different problems that this place has faced in the last few decades. Due to the national unrest, it’s hard for the upcoming population to generate revenue or live efficiently, and considering their overall status in society, the women of Nigeria even lack opportunities for basic education. Surrounding such situational issues, which are majorly related to survival, prioritizing education is needed in order to empower women in such situations.
What role can architecture play in this process of empowering women and how can it aid this process?
Currently, in this situation where there are nearly millions of youth who are out of jobs; A place where there are numerous ongoing crises; it’s hard for women to demand financial freedom.
Eventually suffering due to the inequality in gender treatment and thus becoming a domestic violence victim in the end. The lack of justice for women and the unrest has left the women with their only support which is of the other fellow women who are suffering the same. Considering the multifacetedness of the issue, there is a need for a space that will bring about social gatherings of women; while providing space for them to practice activities that can help them attain financial freedom.
Since the issue has many angles, how will a physical intervention aid as a facilitator in its change and how can this change be brought through design? Through creative thinking and spaces can architects empower these women? Can a change of imageability towards women’s spaces, help in empowering them?
What kind of design can facilitate the diverse and multidimensional issue at its most?
Brief: The challenge aimed to design a space specifically for the women of Nigeria, where they will practice skill development workshops and have formal education.
The challenge here was to not just address this issue from a singular perspective but to address the needs of these women which are majorly multifaceted. The design created should transcend its purpose of monetization and extend to the daily needs of these Nigerian women. Integration of daycares, gathering spaces, skill workshops and classrooms in the design can help in addressing the multidimensional nature of the issue.
The jury for the competition consisted of esteemed designers, professionals, and academicians from around the world. The Lead Jurors for the competitions were as follows:
Dolapo Falola, Founding Partner, Urban & Contemporary Architects Ltd, Lagos, Nigeria
Femi Olaiya, Partner, Urban & Contemporary Architects Ltd, Lagos, Nigeria
Some of the Best competition projects are as follows:
Winning Project: THE OASIS OF GARDENS
By: Sumeyye Atasayar, Zeynep Coşkuner & Feyza Ekim
Description: The aim of this project is to feel green in every area and to reveal the existing potential of women. The land analyzes was done to design a “Skill Development Center” for women in Abuja, Nigeria. As a result of the analysis, it has been decided were the building will be directed. The design was started with the decision of mass location, directed to the road katampe, providing the most intense access to the land on one side, closed on three sides, referenced to the boundaries of the land.
People’s Choice: THE AESTHESIS
By: Nisan Ari, Eda Nur Ulker, Pinar Kaya & kübra çınar
Description: This project is a set of units for educational and social purposes for women in Nigeria, intertwined with nature and strengthened with sensory areas. Kado is a town located in Abuja, Nigeria. Nigeria six months in a row has a dry climate and the other six months has a lot of rain. The kado region is far from Abuja and it is a more rural area.
Editor’s Choice: YELLOW TRUMPET
By: Beste Eser, OmerFaruk Karatepe & Sait K
Description: “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress”. The project inspired by local architecture by showing sensitivity to African culture. It supports the empowerment of women by coming together. The women skills center includes ecological locally relevant solutions and materials. The aim of this project is to develop a model for the solution of social problems.
Editor’s Choice: Endow
By: İrem Gökduman & Yasemin Sahin
Description: The design aimed for women to discover themselves. In the male-dominated society, they were given the opportunity to create their own colors. Units placed in stages refer to traditional living spaces.
Editor’s Choice: Skill center for women in Nigeria
By: Ludwika Buczyńska
Description: The main idea is to create a space that is adaptable to the current needs of its users. Another important aspect is to refer to the traditional Nigerian buildings that can be achieved by using natural, local materials such as wood and laterite bricks. The functional program is divided into three main parts: educational, recreational, and administration.
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