Lagos : City on Water

Lagos, Africa

The solution to bring Makoko out of poverty relies on sustainability and regeneration. An ecology that fuels the economy and vice versa. To achieve this we look at corals and how they are a natural buffer which protects coast from waves, storms and floods. Corals also play a large role in nurturing marine life as a source of food and shelter. The idea to incorporate artificial corals as the foundation of the architecture not only solves Makoko’s fishing problem but allows Makoko to sell to the greater Nigeria allowing it to rise out of poverty.

Lagos is a fast-growing, low-lying coastal city of 13 million people. The most vulnerable area is the coastal slums of Lagos called Makoko, a fishing village that already faces various social and economical problems due to overfishing and competition from chinese fishing boats. This concept focuses on its residential buildings and was designed to preserve the tradition of its residents while elevating their overall standard of living. This concept builds a self-sustaining.

community that has the potential to grow its economy to rise above the poverty line. Inspired by the waffle structure used in the dugout canoes of Makoko, the structure is reinforced with 3D-printed concrete that is used to create a mesh-like facade. This allows the plantation of corals and vegetation on the surface of the design. The intervention aims to be a modular structure that can be replicated horizontally and vertically for the expansion of the village and be adaptive to the rising sea levels. The project integrates an ‘Ecology to Economy’ system that provides an opportunity for residents to grow corals that nurtures small fish. Coral seeds will first be planted in the grooves of the exterior surface, and eventually, supply of fish will increase and residents can sell them catch to generate income.

The building’s tree-like structure has openings at the top that allows for ventilation and sunlight and tall ceilings help to actively regulate interior temperature. The root-like structure below acts as an ideal natural formation for fish to take shelter in. This design creates a relationship between its inhabitants and the environment and gives the inhabitants the initiative to care for the environment. By leveraging the natural relationship between inhabitants and the ocean, a healthier marine ecology will be achieved as balance is restored and the inhabitants become ‘Guardians of the Ocean’.