The design development in the construction sector changes the way the Nigerians experience life in urban experience. A space that is increasingly affected by these changes is the balcony, the increased platform that extends from the walls of a building and bridges the interior with nature. In some urban residential and commercial projects, such rooms are not utilized by the residents.
Victor Gbonegun reports.
Once regarded as a valuable expansion of the house, balconies in modern Nigerian buildings are increasingly not used or purely symbolic. Estimating architectural constructions, influenced by the cost pressure, the urban density and the changing lifestyle, have reduced the balcony of functional rooms to narrow rocky stakes or decorative facade elements.
In older apartment blocks, balconies often served as mini habitats in which families gathered, neighbors interacted, or fresh air offered a break through inner heat. Nowadays, however, there are many new high-rise buildings and gated countries balconies that are either too flat to hold furniture, ward off with glass or to deduct them in warehouse and tumble drying areas.
The shift is also driven by the economy. Rising land values and the pressure to maximize rental space have shrunk balcony depths, sometimes to less than one meter. Safety concerns in high -rise buildings, noise and pollution in dense urban areas and changes to the lifestyle, in which the residents prefer, also limit air -conditioned interior to the use of balcony.
City planners, however, said that the priority in houses and trade evacuations that do not contain balconies could be associated with the increasing need to keep the primary impeties away instead of being a space for comfort and escaping indoor heat. In particular, some occupiers consider balconies as susceptibility points in modern architecture and at the same time contribute the lifestyles between families to substrate and to hide.
The emergence of Clodding Design in projects as a modern approach in the construction sector has led to the fact that they fade out of the balconies in residential and company buildings. The disguise has become a worthy alternative to painting buildings because they give up up to 40 to over 50 years of facade face lift.
Different views of the balcony relevance
Despite these trends, the opinions on the relevance of balconies remain divided into contemporary houses. Some experts insist that balconies remain essential for livelihood and comfort, while others argue that urban realities have made them largely decorative.
In some cases, balcony areas were implemented for kitchens, workshops or even storage. Experts refer to vertical life, glass facades and maximization indoors as contributors. The daily life pressure in large urban centers such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt also limit the possibilities of using these rooms.
The Guardian observed that in some locations of the city, when a flat block is carried out with balconies with cladding, the balconies are always either packed or simply cut off and replaced by the window. In some developed nations such as India, especially in the city of Mumbai, owners now prefer apartments with courtyards and life in houses with their own gardens instead of having structurally adapting balconies.
Industry experts say that the original reason for the inclusion of balcony in the construction of building is almost a waste, as it becomes clear when the inmates are clear when using balcony in certain locations. According to them, it is observed these days that many buildings in which balconies they have no longer use them, based on their main purpose of balconies in buildings, since most people and families do not want to sit in balconies to advertise their presence, perhaps for security and privacy.
In most reported cases, the balconies in buildings have recently served as the entrance and escape route for burglars in order to gain access to buildings. In the exchange of balconies, some real estate owners are now prioritizing the use of the radiator grille or burglary in front of the balcony for further safety and protection for children who could come there to play in such rooms.
Leke Oduway, professor of urban planning at the University of Lagos, confirmed that most balconies are not used in residential buildings and this is mainly due to the request of the residents for privacy. “People don't want their neighbors to know that they are around,” he said. “In some buildings, the residents rarely remember to use their balconies. Many go to work early and return late. Children come back from school and often remain under the care of relatives. For safety reasons, balcony doors are often locked up. Simply said that there is not enough time to use these rooms.”
Oduways also emphasized economic considerations in modern development and found that increasing construction costs influence space use. “People prioritize areas in which they can actively live,” he said. He added that further developing apartment trends enable to select designs and outdoor areas that fit their lifestyle. While some balconies are viewed as luxury, you can, for example, adapt them as storage rooms that adapt it with plywood shared workshops or clothing drying areas and transform the entire block into a crowded and messy space, which defeats the original purpose of increased outdoor use.
“In terms of maintenance, high -rise buildings with cladding are easier to manage if they have no balconies,” continued Oduwaye. “Cleaning the facade can be carried out with machines or even drones. Architects take this into account when designing modern towers, such as in EKO atlantic, where balconies are often left out and the residents are effectively packed.”
He also found that a high life becomes harder worldwide, that the accidents related to balcony have increased in terms of both the number and the severity. “With buildings that rise to 10, 20 or 30 floors, security becomes a problem, children who play unattended, or individuals who try suicide. Designers take these extremes into account that contribute to fading from balconies,” said Oduwaye. Nevertheless, he admitted that balconies add visual attraction and prevent buildings from appearing too foreign or box -like.
Managing partner of Sowunmi Williams and Associates, an architecture company, Mr. Sowunmi Williams, argued that balconies are still important despite further development trends. “The higher the building, the greater the effects of the wind due to fewer obstructions. The wind pressure increases and can have serious effects. This does not mean that balconies should be eliminated,” he said.
Williams said that the surrounding plates, when the balconies are disguised, should be open so that the residents can experience nature. “Fixed glass screens absorb heat from solar radiation, which makes the room uncomfortable and essentially useless. Correctly designed panels enable air and light, which makes the balcony functional,” he noted.
He added that even with an excellent interior design, the residents need rooms to get out and relax. “Residents on the upper floor often only enjoy through the outdoor balconies. In many urban buildings, balconies are abused to hang clothes or install satellite dishes, which undermines their original purpose. With proper design, such as dedicated laundry, a balcony can be without a chaotic, as we see in Victoria Island and other locations and other locations.
He also emphasized that fire regulations in some industrialized countries, fire regulations on stairs, require dedicated escape routes through stairs in some industrialized countries, but can serve balconies as alternative escape options. Without them, the evacuation routes can be restricted.
Security, privacy and design development
Security concerns remain a main reason why balconies are neglected or removed. Some real estate owners replace balconies with breaking -in barbecues to protect the residents, especially children, from potential falls or intruders. In apartments on the ground floor and at a lower level, balconies can serve as an entry point for burglars, which makes them more of liabilities than as assets.
The chairman of the Nigerian Institute for Architects (NIA), Lagos Chapter, Biodun Fatuyi, agreed that balconies remain relevant, but recognized that architectural designs develop. He suggested that the era of expansive balconies could give way to smaller or reduced versions. “Many people see balconies as rarely used rooms and question the costs for them,” he said. “You can also affect security, especially in units in the soil or on the second floor, in which intruders can gain access through ladders.”
Fatuyi added that the residents often prefer niches to hide alternating stream units and prioritize large windows for daylight and ventilation compared to balconies. “If windows provide sufficient sunlight and air flow, balconies can appear superfluous. Many people simply decide that it is best without designing them,” he concluded.
Balcony in the future of architecture
Since the Nigerian cities continue to compress, the future of the balconies will probably reflect a balance between aesthetics, functionality and security. While some residents regard balconies as luxury or unnecessary, others recognize their potential for enjoyment, ventilation and emergency outdoors.
Oduways summarized the dilemma: “The balconies are not sufficient today, but they remain important for privacy, comfort and aesthetics. They have to design architects thoughtfully if they take into account lifestyle, security and the climate. If they are well explained, balconies can continue to improve life in urban life instead of confusing themselves into insane.”
Williams repeated this perspective: “Home inmates need experiences outdoors, and architects have to intelligently integrate these rooms. The proper balcony design ensures that the residents enjoy both functional and aesthetic advantages without affecting security.”
Fatuyi came to the conclusion that the architecture with other building elements will probably integrate smaller or more. “Your role can decrease in size, but not in importance. It is about intelligent design that brings security, costs and livelihood into harmony.”