Evaluation of Architectural Strategies for Cultural Preservation in Museums in Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

The paper evaluates alternative architectural design strategies appropriate for preserving Igbo culture in southeastern Nigerian museums. This study stems from the concern that rapid urbanisation, the pervasive forces of globalisation and the neglect of traditional building crafts have put the integrity of Igbo identity under severe threat. Drawing on a comparative case study methodology and qualitative analysis, the paper utilizes documentary review, typological examination of Igbo architecture - specifically addressing the Igbo compound house, such as the obi house and its filter passages, coupled with an analysis of similar cultural institutions in Africa - to establish and investigate three principles of architectural evaluation for cultural preservation: First, Tectonic Authenticity addresses the use and innovation of locally derived building elements for durability in the local climate. Second, Spatial Reciprocity concerns whether museum spaces encourage communal interaction and reflect existing living cultural traditions. And Third, Narrative Defamiliarization investigates spatial composition for effective storytelling about cultural themes. The study finds that extant Igbo museums inadequately meet the benchmark on these criteria. Such institutions, rooted in Western designs, typically fail to incorporate climatically sensitive solutions, native cultural references and adequate provisions for community engagement. The paper recommends a fusion of indigenous designs alongside modern building techniques as a successful strategy to safeguard cultural integrity. Finally, it proposes a generalizable evaluative framework that can guide museum development in the region and across Africa.