Graduates of architecture from the University of Lagos (Unilag) under the banner of Unilag Architects Alumni Group have decried what they termed the “murder” of the iconic Afro-Brazilian building, Olaiya House, by Tinubu Square on Lagos Island.
The Olaiya House, also known as Fernandez House, which housed the Ilojo Bar built around 1855 and granted National Monument status after 100 years in 1956 was recently demolished, prompting former Unilag architecture graduates to initiate a programme to create awareness of the need and means of supporting national architectural heritage under the banner of the Olaiya House Group.
The group is facilitated by Arc. Fitz Umah and Arc. Abimbola Ajayi among others.
It mission is to influence policy makers, enhance the practice of the profession, promote internal design competition among members, encourage use of local materials for building to meet local needs and recognition of present and former staff of the department among others.
Speaking on the group, Arc. Dapo Akintunde said something had to be done to prevent wanton destruction of national monuments and iconic buildings.
“This spurred the Unilag Architects Alumni into action. Alumni from Nigeria, South Africa, UK and the US and other countries got together on WhatsApp platform to map a plan of action and determined that a competition for a conceptual redevelopment would be a practical first approach,” he said.
“With intellectual support from the likes of Dr Olubi Babalola and Dr Tony Alabi among others, and wisdom from veteran architects like Arc. Opa Ladega, the stage was set for the birth of ideas on how to fuse economy with heritage for the survival of both in the same spaces.”
