construction is set to get underway in lagos, nigeria at the site of ‘ramzi towers’, a residential project designed by the london studio of SPARK architects. commissioned by athena capital investment, the landmark scheme is the international design office’s first significant undertaking in africa, setting a new standard for contemporary living for the region’s emerging economy.
a public pool positioned at ground floor level | all images courtesy of SPARK architects
positioned at the heart of the city’s exclusive victoria island, the 18-storey structure offers panoramic views across downtown lagos towards the atlantic ocean. each of the 22 3-bed, 4-bed and penthouse apartments are orientated to maximize daylight, with the building’s curved forms and deep window reveals providing shade from the hot sun.
the reception of the high-rise residential project
the design is comprised of sprayed concrete shells that are both water-proof and airtight, minimizing wind resistance and establishing a distinctive and identifiable silhouette against the city’s skyline. a shadow program is currently being set up that allows construction skills, knowledge and resources to be shared and transferred to young local consultants.
a terrace positioned at the tower’s midpoint
internally, each unit is articulated around a large central living room, while dining, library, bar and loggia areas are connected around a prefabricated kitchen hub. the top two floors of the tower contain duplex penthouses with roof terraces that overlook the entirety of the city below.
trailer for the ramzi towers development
video courtesy of athena capital
‘SPARK are excited to be part of a new generation of international consultants helping nigeria re-discover its appetite for ambitious, innovative and sustainable development that can reflect the huge potential of this major economy’, commented max titchmarsh who leads SPARK’s london design studio. ‘we think nigeria is beginning a new chapter of global prominence and we believe that there is a new breed of domestic development and contracting expertise that will see the current surge of development activity translate into a lasting legacy.’
eastern elevation highlighting the design’s curved forms
southern elevation of the 18-storey building
project info:
architecture: SPARK architects
project director: max titchmarsh
team: arnold von storp, frankie pringle, ashley gilbert
client: athena capital ltd
engineering: battle mccarthy
QS/PM: WT partnership
main contractor: deux projects
total gfa: 9,015 sqm
ARCHITECTURE IN NIGERIA (7)
Nov 13, 2020
Jan 04, 2017
Dec 30, 2015
Jan 11, 2015
Mar 04, 2013SPARK ARCHITECTS (10)
Nov 23, 2018
May 13, 2018
Mar 28, 2015
Mar 26, 2015
Jan 24, 2015PRODUCT LIBRARY
Sep 14, 2021
Sep 12, 2021
Sep 09, 2021
Sep 09, 2021
Curved walls and inserted window bays are dusty and filth traps particularly in heavily polluted Lagos Nigeria. Apart from that one hopes that the color scheme on the models are not the final ones for the simple fact that dark and contrasting colors in the tropics are damn garish. There will be streaks of red mud silt and dark soot running down the building by the start of raining season after the dust has been deposited by the tradewinds as is common in the country. African weather is not friendly to unprotected wall regardless of how highly specified it is. These dudes should do a field study on tall buildings in the country. They age rapidly and look terrible because of design choice and massing. Besides how are the windows to deal with torrential rainfalls without window sills. To be exact te building looks better suited to Northern Nigeria than Southern Nigeria were Lagos is situated. More Dubai than rainforest vernacular which it should have