Henning Larsen Architects to Design Calabar Conference Center in Nigeria

Danish practice Henning Larsen Architects has won the international architectural competition for the new Calabar International Conference Center in the southeastern part of Nigeria. The Center will stand out as a spectacular building in the scenic river delta of the Cross River State bordering Cameroun. The competition was won over Mecanoo from the Netherlands and three other international architecture companies.

Project Description from the Architects:

”The Governor of the Cross River State, Mr. Liyel Imoke, has grand visions for the future. The centre will make it possible for the Cross River State to host global events, which will benefit the local economy. We visited the city of Calabar between Christmas and New Year and we are really looking forward to establishing a close collaboration with local partners. It will be our job to carry out the project that will provide Calabar with an international profile”, says Architect and Associate Partner, Ulrik Raysse, Henning Larsen Architects. “As a consultant in Africa, you have a big responsibility for adapting your knowledge and design to the local conditions. Our approach to the project has been based on the local context. The project should support the desired development of the region in the best way possible.”

Nigeria is the most populous country of Africa and one of the continent’s fastest growing economies. Calabar is already hosting numerous conferences and, with the completion of the new Conference Center, the city hopes to attract even more international meetings and tourists. The multi-functional and flexible building will also offer the citizens of Calabar a new cultural centre that will provide the setting for concerts, film festivals and exhibitions.

The Calabar International Conference Centre consists of four adjoining, sculptural volumes. The building is situated on top of a hill and has a panoramic view from the foyer. The location on the middle of the hill creates a natural amphitheatre with a room for several thousand people on the one side and a spectacular view of the river delta on the other side.

”Nigeria is developing rapidly at the moment and, as an architect invited to contribute to this development, you have a special obligation to consider architecture as more than a question of geometry. Architecture also contributes to the development of society”, says International Design Director and Partner, Louis Becker, Henning Larsen Architects. “When we work at an international scale, we take with us and architectural tradition where the design is based on dialogue and dedication. We do not hide at the company office in Copenhagen but go into the world to be inspired and contribute with our experience where it makes a difference.”

Henning Larsen Architects has designed several cultural and conference centres and has also previously worked in Africa. In 1992, the Nation Center in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi was completed.

Project Details:

Client: Cross River State
Architect: Henning Larsen Architects
Partners: Not selected until later on in the process
Gross floor area: 16,000 m2
Type of assignment: Winner of invited, international competition
Project team: Louis Becker, Ulrik Raysse (Design Manager), Niels Edeltoft (Project Manager), Eric Tan, Tomasz Dabrowski and Peter Krogtoft (3D)

All images courtesy of Henning Larsen Architects