Incorporation of Traditional Yoruba Architecture in the Design of a Contemporary Art Gallery in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Abstract

Cultural heritage and Architectural traditions hold immense as they reflect the identity and culture of a society. Within this context, Yoruba culture has played a pivotal role in shaping art and architecture, significantly influencing the religious and social fabric of the community. Unfortunately, the absence of essential Yoruba traditional housing elements in contemporary structures poses a dual threat: jeopardizing the preservation of Yoruba history and heritage while fostering a disconnection between traditions and present, leading to a loss of cultural identity. This study aims to incorporate traditional Yoruba architectural elements in the design of contemporary art gallery in Abeokuta, Ogun State with a view to preserving the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. case studies were carried out on five existing art galleries in Ogun state and environs. The research instrument employed for data collection was a structured survey questionnaire administered to 400 respondents comprising of professionals in the building industry and users of art galleries, 298 questionnaires were returned out of which 251 questionnaires was valid. The analysis of the data was carried out with the use of frequency count, percentage and mean item score. The results obtained from the analysis of the data revealed that integration of traditional materials had high preferences in art galleries or public buildings, with a mean score of 3.77 ranked first. This was followed by preference for ornamentations (Murals), with a mean score of 3.68 ranked second while Building configuration with courtyard had the lowest preference with a mean score of 3.46. Findings, further revealed that amongst the traditional building materials selected to be integrated, the inclusion of wood had high preferences with a mean score of 3.77 ranked first. This was followed by inclusion of mud or adobe Mud or Adobe Bricks with a means score of 3.70 ranked second. in conclusion, the study serves as a testament to the enduring significance of Yoruba traditional architectural elements and their capacity to enrich modern architectural practices. it underscores the importance of preserving cultural heritage in the face of urbanization, ensuring that these architectural treasure continue to inspire and resonate with feature generations. The study recommends design practitioners to incorporate in their designs, characteristic features of Yoruba traditional architecture, in a bid to preserve the cultural identity of the Yoruba speaking people of South-western Nigeria.