colonial architecture

The earliest form of Colonial architecture present in Lagos were the mission houses housing missionaries that were built from timber and pre-fabricated materials imported from England while the early missionary churches introduced Gothic revival architecture that is witnessed in the designs of the Bethel Cathedral on Broad Street, Christ Church Cathedral, Lagos and St Paul’s, Breadfruit, Lagos.

The advent of colonialism led to the construction of structures to host public events and the bureaucracy. Between 1860 and 1870, the Marina was extended and behind it, Broad street was developed. Colonial officials working for the Public Works Department constructed general hospitals, barracks, court houses, post offices, and other government offices largely in a Neoclassical architectural style such as the Supreme Court building that was erected at Tinubu square in 1904. The State House and Old secretariat on Marina were also built in this style with its symmetry of the facade and huge columns and portico.

Key Elements

• Generally square, symmetrical building outline

• Steeply pitched shingle hipped or gable roofs

• Profiled ceilings producing exaggerated ceiling heights

• Greatly projecting eaves

• Detached or semi detached kitchen areas

• Use of bricks/blocks, wood paneling, use of light colors

Additional components for expansion

• Additional spaces cantilevered from the main building with the support of metal beams and columns

• All additional walls constructed with wooden panels

• Wooden staircase added to the rear side of the building

• Additional roof attached to the existing roof structure to accommodate the cantilevered spaces

Original State of the building

• Square symetrical shape

• Steeply pitched shingle hipped roof

• Profiled ceilings with exaggerated ceiling height

• Greatly projected eaves

• Semi Detached buidling style

• Exterior staircases for each apartment

• Wooden doors and windows

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