Sencillo Beach House | cmDesign Atelier

• Architect: cmDesign Atelier
• Lead Architect: Tosin Oshinowo
• Team: Nneka Igboh, Molade Lawal, Odion Erabhahiemen
• Year of completion: 2019
• Built area: 900sqm
• Location: Ilashe, Lagos, Nigeria
• Structural Engineer: Starkwood Associates
• Home Automation: Hausba
• Main Contractor & Services: Vincent Boom Construction
• Steel Laser Panels: Planen Ingegneria, Italy
• Glass balustrade: Q-railng Nigeria
• Windows: Nigalex Nigeria
• Composite floor panels: Dura Composite, WNM limited
• White concrete: Cimsa Turkey, Artscapes Constructioneering Works
•  Photographer: Medina Dugger

project narrative by the architects …

We have completed a 3-bedroom beach house in Ilashe, Lagos Nigeria. Lagos is known as the most populous city in Africa with challenges, particularly in traffic management. Lagos is less publicly known for its serene beach environment, which in the last twenty years has become a prime location for private beach houses. With the only access to the region via water travel, the beaches along the western peninsular have remained exclusive with limited urban development ensuring they retain its natural setting.  

 The aesthetic of the house is minimalist with an emphasis on neutrality to fully reflect and celebrate the beach surrounds. To soften and appreciate the plainer-nature of the architecture, we designed a series of rose-gold powder-coated 4mm-thick steel screens based on indigenous Yoruba ‘Adire’ fabric patterns to create a delicate contradiction but functionally to reduce the sun’s glare and act as privacy screens. 

 Our architectural intent was to create a series of spaces that could work for multiple gathering niches and more communal spaces for entertaining. The pool, 21meters long plays a focal role, reflecting beautifully the colour of the sky.

Majority of the building materials were locally sourced, particularly the cedar wood for the tongue and groove doors and rotating shutter panels for the hot tub area. White concrete was used for the pool deck to avoid the monotony of a tiled surface and polished concrete was used for all internal spaces. Frame-less glass was used for the balustrade behind the steel laser cut screens to emphasise the elegance of the screens. 

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Daniel Sarpong

Founder and Senior Editor of ArchPosé. An Architect, blogger and editor with unwavering interests in youth driven programs and issues concerned with the development of the built environment of Ghana/Africa. A volunteer at heart, speaker, programs coordination and anything related to progressive, positive, passionate mindset change for development. Follow me on Twitter/Instagram @danielmolesarp and email me at dsmolecule@gmail.com