Abstract:
This study focuses on Yoruba traditional housing within the framework of semiotic principles, employing symbolic objects, signs, and elements to convey visual expressions and linguistic significance in architectural design. The architecture reflects the social, economic, and cultural values inherent in Yoruba heritage. Notable advantages of Yoruba traditional housing include its alignment with the natural environment, sustainable practices, cultural symbolism, privacy, cultural continuity, and suitability for ancestral inheritance.
However, the evolution of modern society has led to a detachment from Yoruba traditional housing, as architects increasingly adopt European housing models, resulting in the proliferation of conventional techniques, materials, and approaches. This shift has ushered in a new housing paradigm termed “modern housing,” consequently eroding the traditional Yoruba architectural elements in the southwestern Nigerian context.
This research addresses the void left by the decline of Yoruba cultural heritage and resource preservation in Oyo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it investigates the potential of restoring Yoruba traditional housing elements in the design of the Olubadan Palace in Ibadan, Oyo State. By employing a mixed-methods approach with a historical and descriptive research design, this study evaluates both quantitative and qualitative data.
The data collection process involved distributing 350 open-ended questionnaires to respondents, of which 265 were returned by students from tertiary institutions and building professionals. Additionally, interviews were conducted with 10 selected participants during fieldwork. The research framework draws on visual observations, literature reviews, and historical analysis to establish a theoretical foundation.
The sample selection strategy employed purposive sampling from Oyo and Osun States, chosen for their representation of the core Yoruba culture and tradition. To ensure response accuracy, questionnaires were administered directly to respondents. Descriptive statistical tools, including mean calculations, tables, charts, and graphs, were employed for data analysis.
Field study findings corroborated early scholars’ literature, demonstrating the diminishing presence of African traditional housing features such as ornamentation, symbolism, spatial layout, and building materials in contemporary housing. As a contribution to knowledge, this research recommends revitalizing Yoruba traditional building materials and cultural practices in a sustainable manner. Key elements such as expressive ornamentation, vibrant colors, rectilinear forms, and cone shapes are intrinsic to Yoruba traditions. The hierarchical zoning of spaces is proposed to reflect Yoruba cultural values, family ties, and societal hierarchies. Furthermore, an emphasis on communal living spaces and social engagement aligns with the Yoruba value of togetherness.
Integrating Yoruba Traditional Housing Elements into the Architectural Composition of Olubadan Palace, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. GET MORE, ACTUARIAL SCIENCE PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS
