Exploration of the Key Elements of Traditional Residential Housing for Cultural Heritage in the Southeast, Nigeria

Abstract

The essence of traditional building style is to portray its unique regional cultural features, which reflect the social, history and culture of the people. These unique regional cultural features in the Southeast, Nigeria include the wall decoration with motif, use of courtyard, placement of Obi, carved materials (doors, timber columns/ posts), use of mud, house design and forms and locally sourced construction materials. The traditional building has changed from one stage to another and to such an extent that the socio-cultural and housing identity aspect are absolutely getting lost. However, non-availability of documented traditional housing elements to the construction industry leads to non-adaptation of such elements by the construction industry or stakeholders. The aim of this research is to explore the key elements of traditional residential housing of the Southeast, Nigeria with a view to promote cultural heritage of the people. Qualitative research carried out through the administering of questionnaires, interviews and observations in some villages in the Southeast part of Nigeria has shown that buildings are designed and constructed without identity which does not promote the cultural heritage of the people. This research therefore, recommended that for sustainability of cultural heritage, Architects and designers at preliminary design stage should consider the unique regional cultural features in that region.