PROJECT REVIEW REPORT

Exploring the twin concepts of Multifunctionality and Adaptability: A case

of Centre for Research and Development, Uyo-Nigeria
Arc. Dr. Usen Udoh* and Arc. Daniel Etteh
*Department of Architecture, University of Uyo, P.M.B. 1019, Uyo, Nigeria.
Email: usenudoh@uniuyo.edu.ng Tel.: +234 (0) 803 549 0104

Abstract

The study which is theoretical in form is on the presentation of the design of the Centre for

Research and Development at Uyo for the University of Lagos Alumni Association, Akwa

Ibom State Branch. It highlighted majorly the 2-prong architectural issues of buildings’

multifunctionality and adaptability in terms of what they represent, the processes involved as

well as the benefits derivable from their consideration as predetermined design objectives.

The work features diverse use of media including 2-D and 3-D hand drawings, narratives and

digital prints to further illustrate and enrich the discourse. The authors conclude that adopting

the twin concepts of multifunctionality and adaptability will engender an essentially cost-

effective, functionally justifiable yet structurally sound and aesthetically beautiful public

space.

Keywords: Multifunctionality; Adaptability; Design; Buildings; Sustainability; Change

1. Introduction

It is obvious that every building is unique in terms of physical structure, its function as well

as its relationship with the users and the surrounding environment. As products of design

through creative thinking and pragmatic execution, however, buildings could impact on the

environment either beneficially or adversely. Hence, a building design has to meet external

considerations such as the context in which it is located and internal factors such as the

weight of history and the professional/ intellectual experience of the designer involved. The
effort that the architect has to bring to bear on a particular project depends to a large extent on

the project type, complexity and size.

Moreover, the fact that local institutions have trouble justifying huge purpose-built spaces

that have only one function and sit empty most of the day presents a singular and most

profound reason for the envisioning of spaces that can accommodate a community’s

subsisting and growing peculiar functions (Gordon, 2010). As Etteh (2016) put it, designs

should be flexible and adaptable, relative to different activities for different times as well as

evolving needs.

Today’s modern urban structures should be patterned along the line of efficient space

management which manifests itself in the form of multifunctional and adaptable buildings

(Gerigk, M. & Taraszkiensicz, A., 2015). By availing multiple opportunities for

conversations, information sharing, performances, celebrations and play whether on a short

term, mid-term and/ or long term basis using texture, light, colour and the choreography of

indoor and outdoor spaces, everyday projects especially publicly funded buildings can be

brought to life without losing the bottomline of attaining function, economy and construction

practicability (Eizenberg, 2002).

The aim of the study, therefore, is to bring to the fore the need for designers and clients to

consider multifunctionality and adaptability models for the attainment of sustainable

developments.

2. Conceptualization

The term multifunctionality as used in this work has to do with building use that feature at

least two different destination ‘places’, thus allowing the urban space to be more efficient and

compact (Gerigk, M. & Taraszkiensicz, A., 2015). Adaptability on the other hand is the built-

in ability to adjust to change thereby allowing various possible spatial and functional

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configurations, and updating technologies without requiring significant disruption of the

building, the ongoing event and the environment (Kronenburg, 2007).

Furthermore, the principle of flexibility comprising both multifunctionality and adaptability

enables the staging of activities at different times of the day. They endeavor to encourage

diverse groups to use the same space and form with overlapping yet symbolic ownership of

the program, and even provide reminders of the implicit purposes of the place when not in

use (Hester, 2006).

In architecture, flexibility is described as a type of functionalism. This idea took hold during

the modern movement which entered popular culture in the 1930s. Hester (2006) additionally

affirms that whereas the nature of urban open space allows for more flexible use than the

built milieu, sustainable city design requires both adaptable landscape and adaptable

buildings. According to Brandt and Viejre (2004), a multifunctional space can also be

described as a true integration of different functions in time and space. This is different from

mix-use development which compartmentalizes the various uses within a community or

landscape.

It is pertinent to note that adaptability enhances a building’s sustainability attributes and

ensures the possibility of its lasting through time while the spatial components and sub-

components continue to change to provide many opportunities (Nahib, 2009). At the

individual level, adaptability makes for user’s well-being and safety by engendering comfort,

health, security, indoor environmental quality, life quality as well as a good interactivity with

the building and other uses.

Adaptive architecture is an emerging multi-disciplinary field concerned with buildings that

are designed to adapt to their environment, their inhabitants and objects as well as those

buildings that are entirely driven by internal data. Works by Kronenburg (2007) and Harper

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(2003) demonstrate the mounting interest in what people imply when they talk about

“flexible, interactive or responsive media architecture”.

From the social perspective, flexibility allows for the satisfaction of the common and

individual needs of the people. Environmentally, it brings about the deliberate reduction of

resources in terms of energy consumption and minimum environment perturbation. In terms

of economics, it similarly makes for the fulfilment of the building’s function/ services more

efficiently and longlastingly while reducing materials consumption through time with full

advantage of technological innovations (Nahib, 2010).

3. Materials and Methods

3.1 Description of Study Area

Akwa Ibom State is located on the South-eastern corner of Nigeria. It is bounded on the

North by Abia State, on the East by Cross River State, on the South by the Bight of Bonny

and on the West by Abia and Rivers States.

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 Figure 1: Map of Uyo Capital City

Lying between latitudes 4°32`N and 5°33`N of Equator as well as longitudes 7°25`E and

8°25`E of the Greenwich Meridian with a land area of approximately 8,500 square

kilometres, it has 31 local government areas 6 of which wholly or partly constitute the State

Capital City of Uyo (Figures 1 and 2). In terms of population, the city has over a million

inhabitants.

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 Figure 2: Uyo Capital City Masterplan

The State falls within the tropical mangrove forest zone with the dominant vegetation being

shrubs and major trees including oil palm. The Atlantic coastline stretches 129 kilometres

from Oron in the East to Ikot Abasi in the West. Climatically, it is blessed with two marked

seasons of dry season from November to March and the wet season from April to October

interrupted by a short dry period in August. This is despite the fact that rain falls virtually all

year round and there is an abundant solar resource from the tropical sun which keeps the

temperature within the 25°C to 35°C range.

3.2 Site Analysis and Planning

The Centre for Research and Development project for University of Lagos Alumni

Association, Akwa Ibom State Branch is located on Plot 20, Block B (portion of) Banks and

Offices Layout, Itiam Etoi, Uyo Local Government Area. It is a significant urban element

within the Capital City’s Central Business District – a gated/ secure community of some sort

– with well-laid out roads and drainage, and has the NAFDAC State Office building within

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distance to the North, a security printing facility across the road to the West, the 21-storey

office complex on its Eastern background and the sprawling Ecumenical Centre that is to

accommodate over 8,500 worshippers across the road to the South (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Bird’s eye view of Neighbourhood Layout

The project’s primary access points hence its emphatically defining facades are both from the

South and the West and the main building’s alignment to its Eastern boundary with green

areas and water features in the foreground. It is also interesting to note that the site elevation

at approximately 83.25 metres above sea level is about the highest in a city whose altitude is

mostly about 45 metres, further accentuating its value and focus on the city map (Figure 4).

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 Figure 4: Project Site Plan ©Yu-Pet Konsult, 2018

3.3 Design Brief and Philosophy

The brief was on the design of a Centre for Research and Development at Uyo with

requirements for a functional facility and married to the beautiful landscape of its unique

setting. The Centre occupies about 40 percent of the entire 4000 square metres of land

allocated to it. It has adequate parking and turning spaces for various types of vehicles,

research and training facilities, alumni meeting spaces and offices. The other facilities within

it are the main multifunction hall with full compliments of backstage areas and storage, ATM

gallery, a flexible restaurant/ banquet facility, temporary living accommodation for visiting

researchers and such other guests, pre-function spaces, kitchen/ utility core as well as the

public booth in its foreground.

The Centre is designed to meet the needs of various classes of users due to the juxtaposition

of facilities as well as the multifunctional and adaptable spaces deliberately created within it.

Indoor and outdoor activities can take place at the same time without any of the activities

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being negatively affected. The choice of materials used as well as the overall form of the

project ensures good management and ease of maintenance while allowing for at least three

major phasal approaches to its execution depending on the developer’s budget.

3.4 Application of Multifunctionality and Adaptability to overall design process

Multifunctional and adaptable design process, although based on individual architect’s

practice, is influenced by conventional building codes, city regulations and the demands of

the project developer or owner. Creating this highly optimized scheme requires that the

design parameters be expanded to also include stakeholders like tenants, facility staff,

neighbours and municipality.

Figure 5: Site Plan ©Yu-Pet Konsult, 2018

The complexity of the multifunctional building design process implied the engagement of a

systematic composition and analysis of people, procedures, machinery and hardware working

techniques for the realization of set goals all through the project’s life as shown in figure 5.

This is in full cognizance of the fact that such a design output should meet the demands of

aesthetics, commodiousness and natural environment protection. Other factors considered

were system safety, system effectiveness and functional flexibility (Gerigk, 2017).
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In the same vein, adaptable building design requisitely considered the combination of

independent system-based components and sub-components organized hierarchically

according to their projected lifespan and rate of change. These ‘layers’ covered all aspects of

structure, access and circulation routes, building skin or envelope, technical services and

installations, space plan and furniture as shown in figure 6 below.

Figure 6: Site Plan ©Yu-Pet Konsult, 2018

The byproduct of an adaptable design process should therefore be a provided space that is

capable of being arranged and rearranged in several scenarios to meet different clients’ needs,

lifestyles and uses. In other words, buildings designed with multifunctionality in mind could

be easily extended vertically or horizontally or subdivided into different functional entities

without hampering its multi-use or coherence. Attention to functional layout and relationship,

building units and distribution of access and services optimize the structure’s utilization.

Spatial density is also enhanced as full advantage of every millimetre of the space in terms of

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height and area is taken to multiply activity places without expanding its typological

dimensions.

4. Results

The design of the project was anchored on the six fundamental principles of building design

as stipulated by the National Institute of Building Sciences, namely: optimization of site

potentials; optimization of energy use; protection and conservation of water; optimization of

building space and material use; enhancement of indoor environmental quality; and

optimization of operational and maintenance practices. It is also a known reality that the

design fully deployed the concepts of multifunctionality and adaptability explored in this

paper to ensure that the facility achieves sustainability at the various levels using the

following design considerations:

4.1 Overall Building Geometry

The primary design goals of adaptability and multifunctionality determined the geometry of

the Complex. The main building block has three core sections which also directly influenced

the project’s phasal delineation strategy from right to left, that is the research/ administrative

wing (Phase 1); the multifunction hall/ auditorium section (Phase 2); and the accommodation/

utility wing (Phase 3). The designers also ensured that all specified building materials could

meet contemporary technology needs of the diverse prospective users as well as possess the

smallest possible carbon footprint through the conscious use of predominantly local materials

and products. As shown in figure 7, the long southward sloping, gently curved roof is another

highpoint in green-rated architecture.

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 Figure 7: West Entrance View ©Yu-Pet Konsult, 2018

4.2 Research/ Administrative Wing

Figure 8: Level 1 Plan (Research/ Administrative Wing) ©Yu-Pet Konsult, 2018

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 Figure 9: Interior view of Alumni Meeting Room ©Yu-Pet Konsult, 2018

Figure 10: Level 2 Plan (Research/ Administrative Wing) ©Yu-Pet Konsult, 2018

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 Figure 11: Level 2 Plan (Research/ Administrative Wing) ©Yu-Pet Konsult, 2018

As shown in the figures 8, 9, 10 and 11, this comprises flexible yet purpose-built

administrative offices and a 75-seat optimum capacity Alumni Meeting Hall at the ground

level as well as adaptable, premium and dedicated research spaces with adequate

conveniences at the two upper floors. The Wing’s primary access is from the South but a

clearly designated exit/ secondary entrance exists to the West aside from its secured link to

the other sections on the ground level northwards.

4.3 Terraces

As is typical for any tropical housing design, deep terraces, porches and lobbies were

deployed in all sections of the scheme to shade users during arrival and departure from sun

and rain, to serve as ‘traps’ for the passive attraction of the prevailing South-West winds into

the building, and to function as necessary niches for informal discussion and service. They

also serve as extensions and transitions to and from the well-landscaped grounds as

highlighted in figure 12.

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 Figure 12: Level 2 Plan (Research/ Administrative Wing) ©Yu-Pet Konsult, 2018

4.4 Public Booth

Figure 13: Preliminary 3D model showing public booth in highlight ©Yu-Pet Konsult, 2018

This is a unique, innovative component of the Centre which hosts a number of design

features. It designates the edge of the site to the South and incorporates a sheltered outdoor

exhibition plaza and rest area for visitors to the grounds (Figure 13).

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4.5 Multifunction Hall

Figure 14: Plan of Multifunction Hall ©Yu-Pet Konsult, 2018

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 Figure 15: Longitudinal Section of Multifunction Hall ©Yu-Pet Konsult, 2018

Figure 16: Interior model of Multifunction Hall ©Yu-Pet Konsult, 2018

As highlighted earlier, the Centre boasts of an approximately 400 square metre multifunction

hall. This core space has exclusive support rooms for storage, VIP meetings and

conveniences, and can be expanded vertically into its second provided volume depending on

use as shown in figures 14, 15 and 16 above.

A deliberate introduction of specialized lighting, texture and acoustics brings the hall to its

targeted optimum. Also, its status makes it appropriate for events like conferences/ seminars,

wedding receptions, inductions, fashion/ music/ art shows and such like.

4.6 Utilities and Ancillaries

Aside from a dedicated laundry for use in the accommodation wing, the Service Yard-

Kitchen-Restaurant/ Banquet Hall reflects the combination of the modern and the traditional

way of daily cooking, serving and feeding in a single but flexible move. Provision has been

made for separate dry goods and cold store, adequate space/ surfaces for preparation and

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storage of both vessels and stocks as well as selective garbage collector bins in the yard.

Gatehouses and a generator block with transformer are also present on site.

4.7 Security/ Building Management System

Interestingly and rather deliberately, there is no provision of secondary fencing within the

site. Bounded on the perimeter by approved fencing, gates and gatehouses with a clear

separation within between vehicular and pedestrian zones, the security management system

for the project is tagged ‘modern’ and features automatic access control as well as a

recyclable electronic card system that separates Alumni members, research tenants and

staffers from guests.

4.8 Fire and Life Safety System

The adopted fire protection/ emergency strategy for users’ safety for the scheme consists of

the the provided standard exit doors and passages in all public sections, fire-retardant material

selections, full sprinkler system, fire truck access, hydrant locations as well as designated

areas for refuge/ muster points in line with international regulations.

4.9 Ventilation System

While taking full advantage of windows using the passive ventilation principles of cross-

ventilation and stark effect, provision has also been made for individualized climate control

devices which enables users to set their own localized temperature, ventilation rate and air

movement preferences especially in the semi-public spaces thereby improving overall indoor

air quality and thermal comfort.

4.10 Natural versus Artificial Lighting

A compact lighting system which allows flexible usage of the available 80% naturally

sourced lighting with full LED support and ensures energy efficiency is in use in the

program. Whereas warm colour temperature lighting is specified to promote relaxation in the

public spaces, cooler lights that enhance concentration are applied in the office/ research

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zones. Suffice to mention that provision has been made for future installation of daylight and

presence sensors that should set the appropriate artificial lighting level in combination with

the natural and help to achieve energy-efficient lighting scenes. A unitized curtain wall

system with double glazing option including sunshades is indicated for designated areas like

the multifunction hall and apartment’s lobbies to ensure deeper daylight penetration into the

spaces and protection from glare.

5. Conclusion

The responsibility of the designer of a product is to ensure that it meets the needs of the users.

With the increase in the sizes of buildings in recent times and their complexities due to

amplified requirements, availability of financial and material resources and the

preponderance of new technologies for adoption and use, the Lead Design Entity (LDE) or

architect must strive to ensure that such buildings meet the changing needs of the client with

minimal constructional and usage cost burdens. The paper emphasized the deliberate

consideration of the use of the concepts of multifunctionality and adaptability in the design of

buildings to ensure easy, efficient and effective use of such facility by the various users

whether at the same material time or from time to time. The work was focused on a case

study in Uyo which successfully adopted this approach for the provision of a facility that is

essentially cost-effective, spatially functional, structurally sound and aesthetically beautiful.

6. References

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planning of learning facilities. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 15:27–32

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AIAS (2008), Toward an Evolution of Studio Culture – A Report of the Second AIAS Task

Force on Studio Culture: Lessons Learned, Best Practices and Guidelines for an

Effective Studio Culture Narrative. Washington, DC 20006: American Institute of

Architecture Students

Bashier, F. (2014), Reflections on architectural design education: The return of rationalism in

the studio. Frontiers of Architectural Research 3:424-430

Ciravoğlu, A. (2014), Notes on Architectural Education: An Experimental Approach to

Design Studio. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 152:7-12.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.146

Colomina, B., Choi, E., Galan, I. G. and Meister, A. (2012), Radical Pedagogies in

Architectural Education. The Architectural Review (28 September). Accessed 16 Jan

2019. https://www.architectural-review.com/today/radical-pedagogies-in-

architectural-education/8636066.article

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