TRANSFORMATION IN HAUSA TRADITIONAL RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE

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Author

Presented To

Department of Environmental Design

ABSTRACT
Housing has to satisfy both the initial human shelter need and the additional needs as they arise. Such additional needs may be as a result of changes in the original need; changes in economic status, socio-cultural needs, spatial needs or just the addition of new needs, as well as the availability or affordability of building materials. The change in needs serves as the genesis of all forms of spatial transformation in buildings. In the light of the above, this study deals with five contemporary categories of Traditional residential housing, in design and construction of Hausa traditional residential buildings in some selected parts of Kano metropolis The essence of this study is to explore the transformations patterns of Hausa traditional residential architecture in terms of concept, geometric form, building materials, and factors or reason behind such transformations and their impact. Appropriate methodologies were used for the study of the Hausa domestic architecture as exemplified in the old city of Kano the methodologies include use of Kano metropolitan map of 1963 in the selection of wards and sample houses, through a purposeful quota sampling system of relevant samples the traditional protocols were observed in conducting the field work, while in the process and analysis spatial characteristics were recorded in an attempt to appreciate the qualities of the physical environment at all levels. This is done mainly by observation, oral interviews with ward and compound heads. And administering research questionnaires the use of photographs and sketch drawings with research assistants were employed Undoubtedly the study reveals that: traditional concept are being continuously modified and transformed by new ideas, imitations economic status, spatial needs, educational awareness, new materials which arise as a result of innovation diffusion and emerging educational and technological advancement of the community in the metropolis. The study reveals that Zaures have been transformed from series of rooms to “I”or:”L” shape lobbies, with introduction of guest rooms and toilets, living rooms etc and the sizes/volumes, and height of rooms are been transformed. The concept of privacy and accessibility seems to be diminishing due to the influence of modern day architecture. Traditional building materials and techniques such as mud walls, of 600-1000 mm thickness change to 150mm-225mm brick walls, azara, thatched roof to timber, and zinc/aluminum roof. Timber doors and windows are4 change with metal doors and windows, executed locally and skillfully by trained craftsmen. Similarly, in the geometric form, the study reveals that, the shapes, and sizes, which were irregular as an ill-conceived design produced by the degree of the construction know-how of the traditional builders, are currently taking regular geometric shapes and sizes. The leading findings of the study reveals that; the contemporary prototype could not satisfy the house hold social relation and cultural values. And the research equally reveals that spatial organization in a typical Hausa man’s house as a domestic unit within the compound houses is been replace with a single unit houses, and changes these (Transformation) are mostly due to factors like inheritance and economic status. The study understand that socio-cultural values have been neglected in the design and production of contemporary buildings, particularly by omission, in the concepts of courtyard systems and zoning concepts in traditional Hausa compound. This signifies the tendency of total the loss of concepts and materials and methods in Hausa traditional residential architecture.