DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE
By
Author
Presented To
Department of Architecture
Abstract
The culture of people determines and shapes the domestic space in their domestic
architecture. Subsequent modifications of the idea have focused on more precise revelations
of how the spatial arrangements of material culture are culturally patterned. Through a
topological analysis of house plans and patterns, collected from the City of Benin, this study
detects a transformation in the house-type aspired and developed by people during the last
five centuries. A group of 1054 houses, located in four residential zones in Benin City, Nigeria, has been analysed by means of frequency distribution, Space Syntax categories and factor analysis.
The research is determined to find out how the use, organization and meaning of space in
Benin have changed and whether or not there are continuities over the years across the entire
City. The Space Syntax approach is used to measure the varying degree of change at each
stage of the evolution. Here, the „space-activity‟ interaction is the main idea that enables us to
see what underlies the process. As the old spaces take different names and functions in the
new design, they bring about the recombination of their activities, and when this occurs
repeatedly at each stage, it leaves behind „topological paths‟ from which the direction of the
evolution can be measured. Further examinations reveal that the space-activity interaction
arises both at each partitioned space and at the collective space that is closely related. The
analysis of the attitudes and responses of the residents using factor analysis revealed that both
socio-economic and socio-cultural factors are responsible for the change and continuity in the
domestic space.
The culture of people determines and shapes the domestic space in their domestic
architecture. Subsequent modifications of the idea have focused on more precise revelations
of how the spatial arrangements of material culture are culturally patterned. Through a
topological analysis of house plans and patterns, collected from the City of Benin, this study
detects a transformation in the house-type aspired and developed by people during the last
five centuries. A group of 1054 houses, located in four residential zones in Benin City, Nigeria, has been analysed by means of frequency distribution, Space Syntax categories and factor analysis.
The research is determined to find out how the use, organization and meaning of space in
Benin have changed and whether or not there are continuities over the years across the entire
City. The Space Syntax approach is used to measure the varying degree of change at each
stage of the evolution. Here, the „space-activity‟ interaction is the main idea that enables us to
see what underlies the process. As the old spaces take different names and functions in the
new design, they bring about the recombination of their activities, and when this occurs
repeatedly at each stage, it leaves behind „topological paths‟ from which the direction of the
evolution can be measured. Further examinations reveal that the space-activity interaction
arises both at each partitioned space and at the collective space that is closely related. The
analysis of the attitudes and responses of the residents using factor analysis revealed that both
socio-economic and socio-cultural factors are responsible for the change and continuity in the
domestic space.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page ----------.------------------------------------------------------.
Declaration----------------------------------------------------------------.i
Certification-------------------------------------------------------------- - ii
Dedication----------------------------------------------------------------.iii
Acknowledgements--------------------------------------------------------.iv
Table of Content----------------------------------------vi
List of Tables ---------------- - ------------------------------------------ - xi
List of Figures --------------------.------------------------------------ - ..xiv
List of Plates---------------- - ---------------------------------------- - .xviii
Abstract--------------------------------..--------------------------------.xix
Title Page ----------.------------------------------------------------------.
Declaration----------------------------------------------------------------.i
Certification-------------------------------------------------------------- - ii
Dedication----------------------------------------------------------------.iii
Acknowledgements--------------------------------------------------------.iv
Table of Content----------------------------------------vi
List of Tables ---------------- - ------------------------------------------ - xi
List of Figures --------------------.------------------------------------ - ..xiv
List of Plates---------------- - ---------------------------------------- - .xviii
Abstract--------------------------------..--------------------------------.xix
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
11 Background to the Study---------------------------------------------- - 1
12 Statement of the Problem ------------------------------------------------6
13 Research Questions------------------------------------7
14 Aim and Objectives of the Study--------------------------------------------7
15 Scope of the Study ------------------------------------------------------8
16 The Context of the Study ------------------------------------------------ - 9
161 The History and People of Benin City--------------------------9
162 Historical Background-------------------------------- - 12
163 Benin and its Surrounding Villages--------------------------18
164 Residential Zones in Benin City----------------------------20
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
21 Introduction------------------------------------------------------------24
22 Domestic Architecture and Culture----------------------------------------24
23 Social and Cultural Change----------------------------------------------32
24 Urbanization and Urban Change ------------------------------------------46
25 Summary---------------------------------------- - 56
CHAPTER 3 THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
31 Introduction----------------------------------------58
32 Concept of Culture---------------------------------------------------- - 58
33 House Form and Culture---------------------------------------------- - 60
34 Traditional versus Modern Houses-------------------------------------- - 63
35 Classification of House-types -------------------------------------- - 66
36 Organization, Use and Meaning of Space---------------------------------- - 68
37 Household------------------------------------------------------ - 72
38 Summary---------------------------------------- - 75
CHAPTER 4 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
41 Introduction------------------------------------------------------------77
42 The Research Design-------------------------------------------------- - 78
43 Study Population--------------------------------------------------------79
44 Sampling Method/Procedure--------------------------------------80
45 Sample Size---------------------------------------------------------- 80
46 Data Collection------------------------------------------------------ - 83 TABLE OF CONTENTS
461 Design of Questionnaire ---------------------------------------------- - 84
462 Design of Interview Schedule ----------------------------------85
463 Data Collection and Presentation----------------------------------------86
CHAPTER 5 SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
OF THE RESIDENTS IN BENIN
51 Introduction----------------------------------------------------------88
52 Socio-Economic Characteristics of the Residents---------------------------- - 89
521 Household Income-------------------------------------------------- - 90
522 Occupational Structure--------------------------------------------------92
523 Age and Sex ------------------------------------------------------ - 93
524 Marital Status and Household Size-------------------------------------- - 94
525 Ethnic Composition-------------------------------------------------- - 95
526 Educational Background of Respondents-------------------------------- - 96
527 Tenure status of respondents------------------------------97
53 Socio-Cultural Characteristics of Residents---------------------------------- - 98
531 Religion------------------------------------------------------------ - 99
532 Number of household ---------------------------------------------- - 99
54 Summary----------------------------------------100
CHAPTER 6 HOUSES IN BENIN: TYPES AND CHARACTERISTICS
61 Introduction----------------------------------------------------------102
62 Classification of the Houses and their Characteristics------------------------ - 103
63 Classification of the Houses --------------------------------------------103
631 Core Residential Zone------------------------------------------------107 vii
632 Intermediate Residential Zone---------------------------------------- - 120
633 Sub-urban Residential Zone------------------------------------------ - 133
634 Planned Estate Residential Zone----------------------------------------141
64 Characteristics of the Houses------------------------------------------ - 150
641 Tenure Composition------------------------------------------------ - 150
642 Number of Household in the House--------------------------------------152
643 Length of Years of Stay in the House---------------------------------- - 153
644 Age of the House----------------------------------------------------154
645 Owner----------------------------------------156
65 Synthesis------------------------------------------------------158
CHAPTER 7 ORGANIZATION, USE AND MEANING OF SPACES IN BENIN
HOUSES
71 Introduction--------------------------------------------------------160
72 Approaches to the Study of Organization, Use and Meaning of Domestic Space---- - 161
73 The Architectural Approach-------------------------------------------- - 161
731 Organization and Use of Domestic Space----------------------------------162
732 Meaning of Domestic Space------------------------------------------ - 162
733 Socio-Spatial Analysis of Domestic Spaces in Benin---------------------- - 164
734 Socio-Spatial Analysis of the House-types across the Residential Zones----------165
735 Houses types--------------------------------------------------------166
74 Analysis and Interpretation of Organization, Use and Meaning of Domestic
Space in Benin------------------------------------------------------166
741 Cooking and Eating Spaces------------------------------------------ - 167
742 Storage Space for Household Goods------------------------------------180 viii
743 Sleeping Arrangement---------------------------------------------- - 188
744 Space for Personal Hygiene------------------------------------------ - 196
745 Outdoor Spaces (Communal, Private and Public), Receiving Guest ---------- - 209
746 Space for Worship and Socializing, Ceremonies and Festival----------------222
747 Summary and Interpretation------------------------------------------ - 236
75 Data on Attitudes and Response of Respondents ----------------------------237
751 Summary---------------------------------------------------------- - 244
76 Synthesis----------------------------------------245
CHAPTER 8 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
81 Introduction-------------------------------------------------------- - 246
82 Summaries of Findings ---------------------------------------------- - 247
83 Synthesis ---------------------------------------------------------- - 249
84 Syntheses of Continuity and Change--------------------------251
85 Implications of Findings ---------------------------------------------- - 251
86 Emerging Issues--------------------------------------------------252
861 Public and Private Spaces-------------------------------------------- - 252
862 Privacy------------------------------------------------------------ - 253
863 Training for Local Builders-------------------------------------------- - 253
864 Security---------------------------------------------------------- - 253
865 Building for Culture and Climate----------------------------------------254
87 Conclusions-------------------------------------------------------- - 254
BIBLIOGRAPHY---------------------------------------------------- - 256
APPENDIX---------------------------------------------------------- - 277 ix
List of Plates
Plate 11: Engraving Showing Warriors with Spears and Shields, Drummers
and Dancers, during a Ceremony in the Oba Palace-------------------- - 13
Plate 12: Pre-Colonial Drawing of Benin City, Before The British Occupation-------- - 15
Plate 61: Private Courtyard (Harem for Women and Children) - Ikun N’oderie-------- - 108
Plate 62: Private Courtyard- (Harem for Women and Children) - Ikun N’oderie--------109
Plate 63: Public Courtyard (Entrance Courtyard) - (Ikun N’odore)--------------------109
Plate 64: Outer Courtyard for Shrines and 1dols - (Ikun N’arhuera)------------------111
Plate 65: Shows That Externally the Mud Walls are Finished in a
Pattern of Horizontal Ribs------------------------------------------112
Double Floor House----------------------------------------------192
List of Figures
Fig 11: Map of the Kingdom of Benin In the nineteenth century--------------------10
Fig 12: Present Day Nigeria, Showing the Position of Benin City--------------------11
Fig 13: Reconstructed Kingdom Benin Flag, now in the British National Maritime Museum-------------------------------------------- - 12
Fig14: Map of Benin and Its Surrounding Villages------------------------------ - 19
Fig 15: Map Showing Residential Zone in Benin-City---------------------------- - 20
Fig 16: Plan of Benin-City Showing the Core Area and Intermediate Area------------22
Fig 21: Culture Changes in Tandem with Built Environment------------------------37
Fig 22: Tracing the Change Over Time---------------------------------------- - 38
Fig 31: Hierarchy of Spaces, Showing Private, Semi-Private and Communal Spaces ----69
Fig 32: Summary of Conceptual Framework on Built Form and Culture--------------74
Fig 41: Map Showing Residential Zone in Benin-City---------------------------- - 81
Fig 61a Floor Plan of a Palace Compound Benin House--------------------------113
65 Pages 11,368 Words 1,907 Views Microsoft Word Format No. of Chapters: 1 to 5 Chapters
11 Background to the Study---------------------------------------------- - 1
12 Statement of the Problem ------------------------------------------------6
13 Research Questions------------------------------------7
14 Aim and Objectives of the Study--------------------------------------------7
15 Scope of the Study ------------------------------------------------------8
16 The Context of the Study ------------------------------------------------ - 9
161 The History and People of Benin City--------------------------9
162 Historical Background-------------------------------- - 12
163 Benin and its Surrounding Villages--------------------------18
164 Residential Zones in Benin City----------------------------20
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
21 Introduction------------------------------------------------------------24
22 Domestic Architecture and Culture----------------------------------------24
23 Social and Cultural Change----------------------------------------------32
24 Urbanization and Urban Change ------------------------------------------46
25 Summary---------------------------------------- - 56
CHAPTER 3 THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
31 Introduction----------------------------------------58
32 Concept of Culture---------------------------------------------------- - 58
33 House Form and Culture---------------------------------------------- - 60
34 Traditional versus Modern Houses-------------------------------------- - 63
35 Classification of House-types -------------------------------------- - 66
36 Organization, Use and Meaning of Space---------------------------------- - 68
37 Household------------------------------------------------------ - 72
38 Summary---------------------------------------- - 75
CHAPTER 4 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
41 Introduction------------------------------------------------------------77
42 The Research Design-------------------------------------------------- - 78
43 Study Population--------------------------------------------------------79
44 Sampling Method/Procedure--------------------------------------80
45 Sample Size---------------------------------------------------------- 80
46 Data Collection------------------------------------------------------ - 83 TABLE OF CONTENTS
461 Design of Questionnaire ---------------------------------------------- - 84
462 Design of Interview Schedule ----------------------------------85
463 Data Collection and Presentation----------------------------------------86
CHAPTER 5 SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
OF THE RESIDENTS IN BENIN
51 Introduction----------------------------------------------------------88
52 Socio-Economic Characteristics of the Residents---------------------------- - 89
521 Household Income-------------------------------------------------- - 90
522 Occupational Structure--------------------------------------------------92
523 Age and Sex ------------------------------------------------------ - 93
524 Marital Status and Household Size-------------------------------------- - 94
525 Ethnic Composition-------------------------------------------------- - 95
526 Educational Background of Respondents-------------------------------- - 96
527 Tenure status of respondents------------------------------97
53 Socio-Cultural Characteristics of Residents---------------------------------- - 98
531 Religion------------------------------------------------------------ - 99
532 Number of household ---------------------------------------------- - 99
54 Summary----------------------------------------100
CHAPTER 6 HOUSES IN BENIN: TYPES AND CHARACTERISTICS
61 Introduction----------------------------------------------------------102
62 Classification of the Houses and their Characteristics------------------------ - 103
63 Classification of the Houses --------------------------------------------103
631 Core Residential Zone------------------------------------------------107 vii
632 Intermediate Residential Zone---------------------------------------- - 120
633 Sub-urban Residential Zone------------------------------------------ - 133
634 Planned Estate Residential Zone----------------------------------------141
64 Characteristics of the Houses------------------------------------------ - 150
641 Tenure Composition------------------------------------------------ - 150
642 Number of Household in the House--------------------------------------152
643 Length of Years of Stay in the House---------------------------------- - 153
644 Age of the House----------------------------------------------------154
645 Owner----------------------------------------156
65 Synthesis------------------------------------------------------158
CHAPTER 7 ORGANIZATION, USE AND MEANING OF SPACES IN BENIN
HOUSES
71 Introduction--------------------------------------------------------160
72 Approaches to the Study of Organization, Use and Meaning of Domestic Space---- - 161
73 The Architectural Approach-------------------------------------------- - 161
731 Organization and Use of Domestic Space----------------------------------162
732 Meaning of Domestic Space------------------------------------------ - 162
733 Socio-Spatial Analysis of Domestic Spaces in Benin---------------------- - 164
734 Socio-Spatial Analysis of the House-types across the Residential Zones----------165
735 Houses types--------------------------------------------------------166
74 Analysis and Interpretation of Organization, Use and Meaning of Domestic
Space in Benin------------------------------------------------------166
741 Cooking and Eating Spaces------------------------------------------ - 167
742 Storage Space for Household Goods------------------------------------180 viii
743 Sleeping Arrangement---------------------------------------------- - 188
744 Space for Personal Hygiene------------------------------------------ - 196
745 Outdoor Spaces (Communal, Private and Public), Receiving Guest ---------- - 209
746 Space for Worship and Socializing, Ceremonies and Festival----------------222
747 Summary and Interpretation------------------------------------------ - 236
75 Data on Attitudes and Response of Respondents ----------------------------237
751 Summary---------------------------------------------------------- - 244
76 Synthesis----------------------------------------245
CHAPTER 8 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
81 Introduction-------------------------------------------------------- - 246
82 Summaries of Findings ---------------------------------------------- - 247
83 Synthesis ---------------------------------------------------------- - 249
84 Syntheses of Continuity and Change--------------------------251
85 Implications of Findings ---------------------------------------------- - 251
86 Emerging Issues--------------------------------------------------252
861 Public and Private Spaces-------------------------------------------- - 252
862 Privacy------------------------------------------------------------ - 253
863 Training for Local Builders-------------------------------------------- - 253
864 Security---------------------------------------------------------- - 253
865 Building for Culture and Climate----------------------------------------254
87 Conclusions-------------------------------------------------------- - 254
BIBLIOGRAPHY---------------------------------------------------- - 256
APPENDIX---------------------------------------------------------- - 277 ix
List of Plates
Plate 11: Engraving Showing Warriors with Spears and Shields, Drummers
and Dancers, during a Ceremony in the Oba Palace-------------------- - 13
Plate 12: Pre-Colonial Drawing of Benin City, Before The British Occupation-------- - 15
Plate 61: Private Courtyard (Harem for Women and Children) - Ikun N’oderie-------- - 108
Plate 62: Private Courtyard- (Harem for Women and Children) - Ikun N’oderie--------109
Plate 63: Public Courtyard (Entrance Courtyard) - (Ikun N’odore)--------------------109
Plate 64: Outer Courtyard for Shrines and 1dols - (Ikun N’arhuera)------------------111
Plate 65: Shows That Externally the Mud Walls are Finished in a
Pattern of Horizontal Ribs------------------------------------------112
Double Floor House----------------------------------------------192
List of Figures
Fig 11: Map of the Kingdom of Benin In the nineteenth century--------------------10
Fig 12: Present Day Nigeria, Showing the Position of Benin City--------------------11
Fig 13: Reconstructed Kingdom Benin Flag, now in the British National Maritime Museum-------------------------------------------- - 12
Fig14: Map of Benin and Its Surrounding Villages------------------------------ - 19
Fig 15: Map Showing Residential Zone in Benin-City---------------------------- - 20
Fig 16: Plan of Benin-City Showing the Core Area and Intermediate Area------------22
Fig 21: Culture Changes in Tandem with Built Environment------------------------37
Fig 22: Tracing the Change Over Time---------------------------------------- - 38
Fig 31: Hierarchy of Spaces, Showing Private, Semi-Private and Communal Spaces ----69
Fig 32: Summary of Conceptual Framework on Built Form and Culture--------------74
Fig 41: Map Showing Residential Zone in Benin-City---------------------------- - 81
Fig 61a Floor Plan of a Palace Compound Benin House--------------------------113
65 Pages 11,368 Words 1,907 Views Microsoft Word Format No. of Chapters: 1 to 5 Chapters
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