Our Experience at Open House Lagos Organised by the British Council

Livin Spaces·May 3 2016·0

The much publicised and much anticipated Open House Lagos, organised by the British Council in partnership with Open House Worldwide, took place over the workers day weekend, and of the 30+ buildings exhibited, we were able to make it to 3. (Many thanks to Lagos traffic).

It was a very enjoyable experience walking through buildings that one typically drives by around the city. Getting to see and hear about the thought process behind the design, the intent and the story behind each building was insightful to say the least and we look forward to the next Open House Lagos. Heres our experience,

RADISSON BLU ANCHORAGE HOTEL

This was our first stop to kick off the event. The 170 room hotel was designed by Moyo Ogunseinde of Mika Associates and the famous Swedish Hospitality Designer, Christian Lundwall. Right away you get a sense of the fusion between Textured African and contemporary Swedish that blend so well and so seamlessly in the vibrant of ways. The intelligent use of art lends character to spaces and surfaces that would have otherwise been plain and bland. In simple terms, the hotel has this warmth to it that eludes most hospitality brands of this size and scale.

We were taken on a tour through the entirety of the building from the front facing lobbies, restaurants, suites and guest rooms to the more back end service areas that are the life blood of the hotel.

It offered great insight into hospitality design and the amount of thought that goes into crafting not just a structure but an experience that a guest can fully enjoy. Oh! and the infinity pool was a cool touch as well.

IMG_20160430_130811 — Check-in at the radisson

IMG_20160430_130850 — sitting in the lobby waiting area

IMG_20160430_122343 — a most prominent wall fountain also in the lobby area

IMG_20160430_122453 — interesting sculptural lighting by the wall fountain

IMG_20160430_130236 — a full view of the wall fountain

IMG_20160430_130642 — intricate wood carvings add texture and draw attention

IMG_20160430_130413 — a well laid out contemporary bar

IMG_20160430_122815 — Our tour guide and one of the key architects to work on the project – Sheye Ayandokun

IMG_20160430_130448 — a well designed restaurant

IMG_20160430_130519 — Notice the booth seating along the wall to the back

IMG_20160430_130522 — Shiny pendant lights arrayed above the central spine seating

IMG_20160430_130511 — wall art accentuates the back wall of the restaurant

IMG_20160430_130544 — wall sculptures add life to what would have been plain staircase landings

IMG_20160430_123353 — Locally produced art turns the double volume space to a gallery of sorts

IMG_20160430_130213 — I chose to call her “the ballerina”

IMG_20160430_124556 — More wall sculptures “climb” and interact with their host wall to create an intriguing scene

IMG_20160430_124101 — a view into the (very large) executive bathroom

IMG_20160430_124016 — a view into the (very large) executive bathroom

IMG_20160430_124024 — bedroom for the executive suite

IMG_20160430_124302 — outer lounge for the executive suite

IMG_20160430_124736 — The business class lounge for business class guests

IMG_20160430_124900 — business class lounge servery

IMG_20160430_125452 — superior standard room

IMG_20160430_125254 — the bathroom offers a clever use of space thanks to a nifty glass door

NESTOIL TOWERS

Designed by Lagos based Adeniyi Coker Consultants Limited (ACCL), the Nestoil Tower is a one-of-a-kind, mixed-use development; strategically located at the intersection of two major business districts (Akin Adesola Street and Saka Tinubu Street) in Victoria Island, offering a panoramic view of the Eko Atlantic City and the Atlantic Ocean. The 15 floor tower sits on a land size of 3900 sqm offering over 9000 lettable commercial spaces. Its probably one of the most iconic office building on Victoria Island right now.

We were restricted from taking pictures while in the building but it was an enlightening experience all the same. The elliptical tower is very high security adopting the use of a fair amount of technology for entry, exit and what not. It offers 7 storeys of car parks embedded within the building so it doesn’t really stand out on the exterior facade. The office spaces are fairly large and offer great views of the surrounding city while the helipad is right now the largest of its kind on the Island supporting any class of helipcopter avaliable.

IMG_20160430_145629 — lobby art installation

IMG_20160430_153810 — an exclusive lounge terrace on one of the higher floors

IMG_20160430_153748 — out into the atlantic

IMG_20160430_154730 — a view of the city from the helipad

IMG_20160430_154645 — eko atlantic city slowing rising in the distance

IMG_20160430_154639 — on Victoria Island’s largest helipad

PLOT G9 BANANA ISLAND

This is probably one of the most exquisite homes I have been to in the country. Everything from the planning to the design and the finishing shows a deliberate intent to create not just a comfortable home but effective architecture. Designed by Lagos based ARG Studio, the home is located on Banana Island, as one half of an unidentical pair of semi-detached houses. Due to reasons of privacy as well, photography was not permitted inside the house, but I will say this, its a lovely , inspiring courtyard home that totally does away with the traditional design ethos of Nigerian residences and chooses rather to respond to the site as well as the requirements of the client, who happens to be the nicest guy you could meet.

Here’s a single shot of the interior as seen on ARG Studio’s facebook page,

OPEN HOUSE TWEETS

While we were unable to visit a good number of the buildings on display, that didn’t stop Lagos from coming out to also experience the open house event. Here’s a look at what ‘Lagos-Twitter’ had to say,

Stainless glass windows, unexpected lines and faded colonial glory on Lagos Island #OpenHouseLagos pic.twitter.com/x77oPGC4bs
— Stephanie Findlay (@SJFindlay) May 1, 2016

A glimpse of fine chandeliers and beautiful murals at Lagos City Hall #OpenHouseLagos pic.twitter.com/CLBB3y5DYb
— Stephanie Findlay (@SJFindlay) May 1, 2016

And this doubles as a pool and a fountain ?? #OpenHouseLagos_ pic.twitter.com/vhHKB4VI13
— Barbie (@HOLY_BADGIRL) May 1, 2016

Shitta Mosque, Martins Str, Lagos Island. @openhouselagos #openhouselagos #ohl #open_house_lagos pic.twitter.com/Ser1ksmsd9
— Damilare OG (@___thebigman) April 30, 2016

Alara House by David Adjaye. #Openhouselagos #Architecture festival #Buildme. pic.twitter.com/5PSqteJEb4
— Korede Tuga (@KoredeTuga) April 30, 2016

When everyone is talking about #Open_House_Lagos but you’re at home wondering why you didn’t turn up ? pic.twitter.com/sEBHZRVxSZ
— UmehWrites .com (@UmehWritesPR) April 30, 2016

The Bogobiri is made with purely African materials. Call it an Ancient 5 star place lol #Open_House_Lagos pic.twitter.com/eZIyF5v91W
— Barbie (@HOLY_BADGIRL) April 30, 2016

As seen from the roof top Maison Fahrenheit Hotel. What a best! #OpenHouseLagos_ @openhouselagos pic.twitter.com/Tygtv2KjT4
— Seyi (@linda_cakess) May 1, 2016

#OpenHouseLagos_ here is another exclusive set up! Cc @openhouselagos pic.twitter.com/En3pXpt9um
— Ruth (@ruthyEllijah) May 1, 2016

Thank you @openhouselagos for this opportunity ?? #whenyourjobissocool #ooenhouselagos_ #openhouselagos pic.twitter.com/57IaRfVaZv
— d_darkhorse (@OrdiaEsther) May 1, 2016

Bogobiri make sense sha. Everything na African way. E make brain ? #Open_House_Lagos pic.twitter.com/HdVtSQIuF5
— IG: Pidgin_Language (@PidginLanguage) April 30, 2016

Ya’all be complaining of Lagos traffic and stress. Here’s a chance to experience a different Lagos #OpenHouseLagos pic.twitter.com/i5YUFR3DtR
— Ambrose Adole (@Amby_gold11) April 30, 2016