Omar Take Architectural Consulting - Omar A.Take - Architect ...

CENTRAL AREA OF ABUJA – THE NEW FEDERAL CAPITAL OF NIGERIAIn 1978, the government of Nigeria decided to build a New Capital in the centre of the nation, 500 kilometers north-eastof Lagos. The geographical location of Abuja provided equal accessibility to the three major tribes and was aimed tobecome a symbol of unity to this diversified nation. Over 900 international architectural firms submitted pre-qualificationdocuments for the Urban design of the central area, and after visiting 12 pre-qualified offices, the Federal CapitalDevelopment Authority decided to invite 3 firms to a competition in which the scheme prepared by Kenzo TangeAssociates was selected. I worked full time for 1 month (day and night!) at our Tokyo Office on the Design CompetitionScheme of the Central Area of the New Federal Capital at ABUJA, and I flew over to Lagos with one of the SeniorPlanners from our office with the design reports and the Model. The New Federal Capital Committee appointed by thePresident of Nigeria selected a jury of 12 people including Tribal Chiefs, 3 architects representing the most influentialsectors of the population and Mr. Sharma, a senior Architect from India that worked on the Chandigarh Project with LeCorbusier.Finally we were only 2 firms to submit proposal: Kenzo Tange Associates and a Canadian Firm from Toronto; the Officeof Milton Keynes resigned because of the limited time allocated for the Competition. After a week of deliberations, theJury unanimously selected our Firm.The first phase master plan focused on the concept of a linear Civic Axis with residential areas located on both sidesthat allow for smooth future expansion. This was our same basic concept for the structure of the growing city, adopted inthe Tokyo plan of 1960. In the model shown above, the residential areas were not included because of the large scaleof the area. The Central Axis consist of (from the top) the National Assembly, the Presidential Office Complex, and theSupreme Court (so called 3 Power Buildings).