IN-PERSON London Heritages. Section B

Abstract

In Nigeria, British Colonial Bungalows play a contentious role in discourse about historic preservation within the country. One reasoning behind this lies in the apathy that exists towards these buildings, given that they can be considered as remnants of the British Colonial legacy. More recently, these buildings have been allowed to degrade, and in some cases, are ultimately destroyed for the sake of constructing newer building and infrastructure projects. However, this apathetic stance fails to take into account that architecture can be closely tied to national identity for its ability to shed light on different periods within a country’s history. Moreover, this reasoning also fails to acknowledge the fact that historical erasure does not necessarily equate to a resolution of post-colonial trauma. Beyond serving as physical markers of colonial rule, these bungalows can also provide insight into architectural adaptation, local agency, and shifting cultural narratives. This paper critically examines the dual role of these structures: as scars of colonial domination and as potential sites of education and reflection. Considering this, using insight rooted in the author’s background in architecture and policy, this proposed paper will investigate complex and conflicting considerations in the preservation of British Colonial Bungalows in Nigeria through the lens of history and policy. It ultimately argues that these bungalows should not be viewed solely as relics of oppression but as opportunities for critical engagement with Nigeria’s colonial past and evolving architectural identity. This paper will draw from the author’s current and ongoing interdisciplinary doctoral research.