Architectural practices in Nigeria have raised the bar in the robust construction activities currently taking place in the country. One practice involved in the current spate of activities is GHK Architects Limited in Lagos. GHK is a firm of Architects, Urban Planners and Project Managers.
Evolution:
The firm came into being on 1 January 1989 when two practices, Godwin and Hopwood and Tunde Kuye Associates merged. For administrative purposes, it was decided to retain the corporate structure of Godwin and Hopwood but to change the name to reflect the participation and commitment of Arc Kuye and his practice. Prior to the merger, Arc. Tunde Kuye had been involved professionally with Godwin & Hopwood since 1978.It was therefore a natural union having shared similar professional vision, interests and commitments for a long time.
Godwin Hopwood Kuye in 2011 changed its name to GHK Architects to reflect the participation and commitments of Arc. Kuye and his practice, while maintaining the acronym to show the relationship with the founding Directors.
Services:
The GHK’s mission is to offer professional services in the aforementioned Architecture, Urban Planning and Project Management to the satisfaction of their clients and to impact directly on the improvement of the quality of the human environment. It has since kept faith with this, using its main office in Lagos and associated firms abroad.
Over the years, the Company has provided Architectural and Project Management services to the construction industry, with emphasis on the Architect as the organiser, taking the initiatives necessary to produce successful buildings.
The company`s design approach, which has evolved through time reflects the changing needs, not only of clients but of the building industry generally and together with the tropical climate constraints, the practice has pioneered new solutions which have given the work of the practice its’ distinctive appearance. Recent changes have however embraced the sophisticated outlook of clients without compromising on the core solutions to design briefs.
With a wide circle of professional contacts in many fields of specialization throughout the world; GHK Architects have a pool of professional support in specific and specialized areas as and when needed. Using this International network, the practice was placed “Third” in a competition held in 1994, organised by the European Union for the design of their Embassies and Headquarters Building in Abuja. The practice continues to participate in competitions to showcase its competences.
Projects Profile
The firm`s project commissions have covered a wide range of buildings, including offices, residential accommodation, hotels, community buildings and hospitals while avoiding narrow specialization. The practice is perhaps better known for its educational and industrial work in Nigeria. In spite of the fact that their major works have been weighted heavily towards educational and industrial projects, the company has experience of a very wide variety of building types.
According to Arc. Biola Fayemi, MNIA, the Head of Lagos office, the firm offers a diverse approach to architectural styling in projects, working with the client’s desires and dreams, the site and the conceptual program.
“We then set out to provide fresh creative designs that are unique, imaginative and timeless. Our inspirations are found in both the natural landscape and in quality built environments, taking the best of both realms to establish buildings sensitive to material, color, texture and natural elements along with creating a sense of place.” She concludes
The company`s asset lies in its reservoir of professionals deeply committed to the dreams of their clients and employing modern working tools in realizing this.
Other Directors in the firm include: John Godwin, OBE, FNIA, FRIBA, AA Dipl. (ARCON PA/5) and Gillian Hopwood, FNIA, FRIBA, A Dipl. (ARCON PA/5); both are experienced and respected Architects in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Professional Affiliation:
GHK Architects is registered with the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) and Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and it is a technology driven firm for effective service delivery. Professionals in the firm are also affiliated to different relevant professional associations with varied experience.
