abouzaid:
concrete is largely fire proof, a normal fire could easily be put out with fire a extinguisher from the kitchen store while a Fulani setting the house on fire(it's actually their favourite strategy) won't be too effective since the whole room is encapsulated in concrete with the roof been a six inches thick reinforced concrete slab. you need to understand that in Nigeria we don't design those things because of fire or tornados/hurricanes rather i want to develop the expertise in it due to the security challenges in this country especially here in the north.

Just to add an idea here, how about adding an escalator fan or two, probably battery powered from inside to help keep the safe room airy in case of a long siege?

spyder880:

Oga spider no laff of, these guys nearly chop my Timberland Ohh

spyder880:


Just to add an idea here, how about adding an escalator fan or two, probably battery powered from inside to help keep the safe room airy in case of a long siege?

Where is the air coming from?

Can the intake be sprayed with pepper spray?

EgunMogaji:


Where is the air coming from?

Can the intake be sprayed with pepper spray?

I think one can conceal it,ie on top of the house or at the edge of the roof frame

erico2k2:

I think one can conceal it,ie on top of the house or at the edge of the roof frame

Excellent choice and I'll be having eaves vents installed. I don't see them used much.

I'll also be having auto spray masks inside the safe room.

EgunMogaji:


Where is the air coming from?

Can the intake be sprayed with pepper spray?

erico2k2:

I think one can conceal it,ie on top of the house or at the edge of the roof frame

Yes, arrange to fit it up on the ceiling since the parapet prevents entry.

spyder880:


Just to add an idea here, how about adding an escalator fan or two, probably battery powered from inside to help keep the safe room airy in case of a long siege?

how can this be done in Nigeria?

abouzaid:
how can this be done in Nigeria?

I know an extractor fan they use in mostly stuffy rooms, or in industrial locations to drive away foul air, this could be inverted to provide ventilation, converted electrically to be powered from the inside of a safe room by battery.

spyder880:


I know an extractor fan they use in mostly stuffy rooms, or in industrial locations to drive away foul air, this could be inverted to provide ventilation, converted electrically to be powered from the inside of a safe room by battery.

I'll contact you later, thanks a million.

erico2k2:

Ok let's discus insulation. To insulate is to protect.in the case of building this applies to just to gain heat or reduce heat loss.we won't need that in Nigeria.cos we do not heat our houses. We only try to make our houses cooler.heat do not need any sort of circulation while cooling does.as regards to aircon.so basically all that is needed in the Nigerian home is good ventilation.

Insulation of some forms is needed in all climes

We actually need to insulate buildings in Nigeria so that heat does not get into the building during the day when it is hot outside. Insulation also makes the air conditioner not have to work more to make the internal temperature cooler because the temperature difference is less.

I really like this thread and i wanted to share some educational information on some work i did for a client.

The client wanted the same high pitch roof that is popular right now, and so i did some cost calculation to convince him otherwise.

The only reason to use such high pitch roof is for usually for insulation, attic space and snow loads so that the snow falls off quickly. High pitched roofs also spreads the weight of the snow. Even in dry areas like Arizona and Texas, at least the roof is used as an attic or storage space. We do not need that.if the snow does not fall off quickly, it puts extra weight on the roof causing collapse.even worse,it can turn to ice and cause the roof to collapse.

I had to make a case that if the high pitch roof is to make the house appear larger, that is a separate case, then we could talk about wood attic with extra storage room or even extra bedroom.

long story short i used these diagrams to make my case.

^^^
Nice illustration

OnetimeOnly:


Insulation of some forms is needed in all climes

We actually need to insulate buildings in Nigeria so that heat does not get into the building during the day when it is hot outside. Insulation also makes the air conditioner not have to work more to make the internal temperature cooler because the temperature difference is less.

You are absolutely right and it's what I've been trying to explain to my esteemed colleagues here.

The argument is that you won't be running ac in Nigeria but with a well designed building that has good ventilation from the start and not an afterthought and trees in front of windows that are sun facing then the house should be cool naturally.

Now if I can just get some heat reflecting paint for exterior walls

OnetimeOnly:
I really like this thread and i wanted to share some educational information on some work i did for a client.

The client wanted the same high pitch roof that is popular right now, and so i did some cost calculation to convince him otherwise.

The only reason to use such high pitch roof is for usually for insulation, attic space and snow loads so that the snow falls off quickly. High pitched roofs also spreads the weight of the snow. Even in dry areas like Arizona and Texas, at least the roof is used as an attic or storage space. We do not need that.if the snow does not fall off quickly, it puts extra weight on the roof causing collapse.even worse,it can turn to ice and cause the roof to collapse.

I had to make a case that if the high pitch roof is to make the house appear larger, that is a separate case, then we could talk about wood attic with extra storage room or even extra bedroom.

long story short i used these diagrams to make my case.

One of the constrains that I gave my Architect was no high pitched roofs, no roman pillars and arches. Oh yeah also no ensuite galore

EgunMogaji:


One of the constrains that I gave my Architect was no high pitched roofs, no roman pillars and arches. Oh yeah also no ensuite galore

The ensuite and ante room madness though.

EgunMogaji:


One of the constrains that I gave my Architect was no high pitched roofs, no roman pillars and arches. Oh yeah also no ensuite galore

Unless otherwise necessary. ..d span actually determined the height.
In modern Architecture ante room is actually functional

segcymoor:

In modern Architecture ante room is actually functional

Serving what purpose if I may ask?

segcymoor:

Unless otherwise necessary. ..d span actually determined the height.
In modern Architecture ante room is actually functional

Well..I guess we can file semi flat roofs under necessary regardless of span.

Our architectural designs in naija is such a sham. Theres no interplay between the outdoor and indoor living spaces. We need to start designing structures with patios, gardens, natural platforms, decks, pools, turfs and hardscapes.

I grew up in hilltop residential estates and I would say "outdoor spaces" is more important to me. I want to have a place to sit in the sun and sip my morning coffee. I'm not prepared to do so at my kitchen table every morning. Maybe if I'm still renting I would. But definitely not when I build a multi-million naira house.

brabus:
Our architectural designs in naija is such a sham. Theres no interplay between the outdoor and indoor living spaces. We need to start designing structures with patios, gardens, natural platforms, decks, pools, turfs and hardscapes.

I grew up in hilltop residential estates and I would say "outdoor spaces" is more important to me. I want to have a place to sit in the sun and sip my morning coffee. I'm not prepared to do so at my kitchen table every morning. Maybe if I'm still renting I would. But definitely not when I build a multi-million naira house.

Outdoor space is cool, however, there are many times I can stay in my ante room and read or browse without being forced to sit at the dining table, especially at night. I will love to be close to my kids while they watch telly in the main lounge, overhearing their chatter from the ante room is better for me that climbing to the first floor private lounge.

This is one of the material I used in selecting my plan.

It's basically a study that shows where families spent the most time in a house. They did the study in a 1,000 square foot house but estimated that the family only used 400 square feet on a consistent basis.

[img]http://www.lifeedited.com/wp-content/themes/artisan/img_resize/timthumb.php?src=http://www.lifeedited.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Life-at-home-in-21st-century.jpg&w=583&zc=1[/img]

http://www.lifeedited.com/residential-behavioral-architecture-101/

"The activity on this floor, which measures around roughly 1000 sq ft, is concentrated almost exclusively in three rooms: The dining, kitchen and family rooms; the latter room’s activity focused around the TV and computer. We estimate that around 400 or so square feet of those 1000 are actually used with any regularity."

A question for Nairalands Architects and builders.

“How would you design a home if based on your behavior, not architectural convention…for singles, couples, families, etc.?”

EgunMogaji:


One of the constrains that I gave my Architect was no high pitched roofs, no roman pillars and arches. Oh yeah also no ensuite galore

And thanks to @egunmogaji I now abhor the idea of having an all room en-suite house... I really saw reason after working on his designs... I now advice my clients to either opt for the jack and Jill system.. or bathroom space sharing where only both rooms can have access to the bath/toilet from the inside...

darenyx:


And thanks to @egunmogaji I now abhor the idea of having an all room en-suite house... I really saw reason after working on his designs... I now advice my clients to either opt for the jack and Jill system.. or bathroom space sharing where only both rooms can have access to the bath/toilet from the inside...

Thanks Dude.

I too learned from you. Despite the fact that I was adamant that the courtyard was enough space but I now realize the value of a kitchen patio from a Nigerian cooking perspective.

brabus:


The ensuite and ante room madness though.

The ensuite rooms i can understand, although having this now means you have to also have a separate visitors toilet. Its the ante room and high roof that completely befuddles me.

EgunMogaji:


One of the constrains that I gave my Architect was no high pitched roofs, no roman pillars and arches. Oh yeah also no ensuite galore

I can't stop laughing...i feel you about the roman pillars and arches. . it drives me nuts sometimes.

brabus:


Serving what purpose if I may ask?

Oga. U are the least person I am expecting this question from
In Morden duplex, Just a definate answer we suffice.
Do you expect every visitors to ve direct answer to ur living room? .I think ur personal project is a duplex.

If I can count at least I ve built and design nothing less than 15 duplex in the course of my practices. Besides, we are not responsible for all the design.




Non without an ante room!

segcymoor:

Oga. U are the least person I am expecting this question from
In Morden duplex, Just a definate answer we suffice.
Do you expect every visitors to ve direct answer to ur living room? .I think ur personal project is a duplex.

If I can count at least I ve built and design nothing less than 15 duplex in the course of my practices. Besides, we are not responsible for all the design.




Non without an ante room!

But I think houses are built to requirement from my personal point of view I think the room a visitor will sit down in my house will be the living room.

erico2k2:

But I think houses are built to requirement from my personal point of view I think the room a visitor will sit down in my house will be the living room.

Absolutely! D word ante here literally means before. A small space or lobby is required before the main living room.






It's the beauty of Architecture! It wouldn't ve being introduced in the world of Architecture if not necessarily in the first place
However, one may decided to skip it in his personal project . After all, it's not structural affected. But the fact remains that it does makes sense!

Some ante rooms I see are after thoughts.....when design creativity is absent and you don't know what to do with that extra space...either because you are already set on how other rooms in the house should be and their respective locations.

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