THIS CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF EFE DOGUN

looks good. Properly done with attention to details

If you are familiar with the area opposite NICON Luxury Hotel at Area 11, Garki, you must have noticed this interesting building that has just emerged to enliven the cityscape. It is a newly renovated building located on Asaba close, off Tafawa Balewa Road. A few months before, in its place was a lackluster, monotonic old building. Even in an old area of Abuja dotted with similarly aged buildings, this building stuck out like a sore thumb. The owner obviously desired an upgrade and invited Efe Dogun of Blacline Architects, to give him a design. I think he did a very good job of it. The contemporary exterior look, the interior spaces, and the colours all show marks of a good architectural design.

A view of the building before renovation

Notice the madness of the plumbing pipes

Efe Dogun

I watched this building evolve. I passed that area every day and admired the development from afar. So one day i walked in and asked to see the architect. Luckily, Efe Dogun was around. He happily obliged me a tour of the project. There was another interesting renovation going on adjacent this project. "You guys seem to be in a competition to determine the better architect." I joked.
"If it were a competition, you can see that we have already won." He said confidently.

I could not agree more. The job came out better than a new building. Blacline introduced contemporary elements to the building using polystyrene, colours and tyrolene renderings to create their desired effects.

A view of the building during renovation

the finished work

During renovation

"Are you a registered member of the Nigerian Institute of Architects?" I asked him.
"Not yet." He answered defensively and launched the usual tirade. "Some actions at NIA leave a lot to be desired."
"Things are changing at NIA." I assured him. "A new dispensation of progressive architects are showing interest in the NIA. You too can be part of the change. If you produced an outstanding work like this, then you must have something to offer. But you cannot initiate change from outside. You must join, first." I told him i was a member of the EXCO. He took another look at me. He assured me he was in the process of becoming a full member.

Interior view

One of the ceiling works

Efe Dogun earned his BSc from University of Jos in 2006 and his MSc in 2009. His firm Blacline Architects, located at Gwarimpa, employs 2 architects and 1 engineer, among other members of staff. Blacline Architects is registered with ARCON.

toilets

toilets

A view from Tafawa Balewa Road.

It is commendable the way all the plumbing pipes are hidden in ducts

images by Efe Dogun and Edmund Irondi