MY FINAL YEAR PROJECT, OGBUAGU KELECHI UCHAMMA

Images by Kelechi Uchamma

My name is Ogbuagu, Kelechi Uchamma. I am a Graduate of Architecture from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), I was awarded the Student of the Year (Female category), Department of Architecture in 2019 upon graduation. Following my great passion for Architecture and Design, I worked hard to become very proficient with software like Authocad, Revit, Twinmotion, Photoshop and 3DSMAX. I am currently based in Lagos-Nigeria, I love writing, reading and improving people’s lives by teaching them what I know. Below is my final year project, inspiration behind my design and the advice I have for students of architecture.

PROJECT BRIEF

In collaboration with the Enugu State government I designed a State of the Art Shopping Center that would be the first of its kind in the state. The following spaces were required in the design: Anchor stores, Food court, Cinema, Parking for 300 vehicles, Offices, Shops, Delivery bay and other Ancillary spaces. 

DESIGN

This design was inspired by the main problem of Shopping centers – circulation.

The main goal for merchants who rent spaces in a shopping mall is to make profit. With proper circulation on the site plan and in individual internal spaces, every merchant who rents a space in this Proposed Shopping center must make profit! 

Special emphasis was given to the site plan. It is the very first place every visitor would come to before going inside the shopping center. The site plan was designed in such a way as to give customers an unforgettable experience, thereby, luring them inside the shopping center.

For example, there is an outdoor recreation area for events. The outdoor recreation area was zoned at a strategic location where vehicular movement would not interfere with pedestrian movement. This would give guests a sense of security as they enjoy the landscape features while admiring the aesthetic facade of the shopping center.

Proper traffic analysis of the existing roads was carefully done to come up with the Site zoning concept. For example, the main entrance into the site is on a major road. However, a lay-by was created to reduce traffic and to separate those entering into the shopping center from those going about their normal activities.On the other hand, the service area has a different access to the site. This was intentionally done for proper zoning.

Careful choice of materials was made to make the building both iconic and sustainable. For example, tempered glass was used for the facade because of its resistance to heat and lateral loads. The epileptic power supply of the country was considered. Therefore, the Photovoltaic Solar Panel Facade was incorporated into the building envelope (on space frames in the middle cap of the building facade) to ensure there is a more sustainable means of getting steady electricity. Considerations for the disabled were made by providing ramps, disabled parking and special conveniences. Various fire exits were provided at strategic locations in the building in the case of fire emergencies. It would be an incredible project if this design came to life seeing all the thought processes that went into it. 

ADVICE TO ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS ON FINAL YEAR PROJECT DESIGN

Final year design can be overwhelming but don’t joke with proper research because it would reduce your workload by more than half when you understand the brief and the design requirements. Research on building materials, carry out relevant case studies and do your analysis well. As you aim for aesthetics in your design, do not forget that it must be functional and contextual.

I highly advise that you start your designs from the site plan. This would help you with proper zoning. Designing without the site plan and forcing the building to fit into the site after design is a characteristic of a bad Architect. Don’t do that!