With The John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Studio Imagine Simply Architecture (SI.SA) addresses important contemporary needs by designing a vibrant building that celebrates Yoruba identity, tradition, and heritage. ‘It has become extremely important to shape the narratives around Africa, its people, and its diaspora’, states practice principal architect Seun Oduwole.
Explore The John Randle Centre
According to Oduwale, SI.SA’s red and yellow fractal form scheme is inspired by traditional Nigerian architecture. ‘The building rises from the earth in a nod to Yoruba spirituality and the metal screen around the façade pays homage to age-old skills like metalwork, looming, and weaving,’ explains Oduwole.
‘In a number of ways, we applied historical patterns and visual metaphors as concept drivers,’ he adds. A clever green roof also links the building back to the landscape. ‘We sought to create a building grounded in context and conscious of its surroundings,’ states Oduwole.
Located in the Onikan district of Lagos Island, this colourful scheme forms part of a larger development commissioned by Lagos State. This urban regeneration project aimed at restoring a former swimming pool, replacing a demolished cultural hall, and revitalising the lost landscape. The name of SI.SA's museum pays tribute to Dr John Randle, a Sierra Leonean doctor, who built the original swimming pool on the site in 1928 for Nigerians after British colonialists had refused to provide one.
Inside, the building takes visitors on an immersive voyage into Yoruba culture where they can learn about rich oral African traditions. ‘Visitors have left feeling, inspired, joyful, and proud. People feel represented and it’s very humbling,’ states Oduwole.
Guests can learn about the stories, beliefs, and traditions of Yoruba people through areas dedicated to fashion, craftsmanship, and storytelling. Here rich Nigerian garments and beautiful African art can be found alongside compelling wooden artifacts and powerful Lagosian literature.
Featuring 1,000 sq m of exhibition space, a library, multipurpose rooms, a theatre, and a seminar room, the building seeks to attract both locals and international tourists. ‘Internally we sought to interrogate museology as a construct to create a museum visitor experience that was relatable and immersive.’
The John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History is a bold cultural attraction that speaks to past, present, and future Yoruba culture. It is a place where history, archaeology, and storytelling meet to honour African heritage. In this project, SI.SA has created a didactic, contextual, and eye-catching museum that should be visited by anyone who wants to learn more about African culture.
