Integration of Urhobo Cultural Identity in the Design of a Cultural Centre for Urhobo Province

Abstract:

The broad objective of the study was to examine the possibilities of integrating Urhobo Cultural Identity in the Design of a Cultural Centre. A total population of 770 traditional leaders in Urhobo Province was used for the purpose of the research where a sample of 261 of them was selected and questionnaires were administered to them. The study employed a quantitative and qualitative research design where focus group discussion and case studies were used to gather and analyse the data. The focus group discussion interview questions were used to gather qualitative research data where the researcher identified the most prominent responses from different responses put forward by the researcher. Case studies were used to identify the differences and similarities between the design of open theatres, auditoria, multipurpose halls, museums and the Urhobo cultural centre in which this study is based. Tangible elements of Urhobo culture were identified for the purpose of this study. Also, the result of the findings from the case studies carried out reflected the cultural identity of their regions by featuring different cultural identity elements through their spatial organization, building materials and techniques, building forms and decorative styles. The study concludes that there were several strategies employed by architects to express cultural identity in their work. The study recommends that when designing any building in any region, architects should try to express the cultural identity of the region so as to create a sense of belonging of the region to the building, thereby making people appreciate the resident culture. Additionally, in-depth studies should be carried out on the resident/local cultures and their traditional architecture so as to understand them inside-out in order to create a standard for the contemporary design of cultural centres. Awareness should be created about designing buildings that showcase the cultural character and identity of a region at the same time throwing challenges that will serve as reference points for contemporary vernacular architecture. The Theory of Place was adopted and found relevant as the underpinning theory for the study.