Mumbai-based architectural firm, Atelier ARBO, was contacted to work on an exciting opportunity to plan a gated residential community on a 2,17,800 sq. ft. (5 Acre) plot in Lagos, Nigeria. The project is to build a block of medium-sized towers with different configurations of homes to suit different family types and sizes, with a range of common recreational facilities for the residential community.

Lagos is one of Nigeria's largest cities and is also a major financial center with a steady economic growth. Due to its steady rapid increase in population, a large part of the city is occupied by slums and informal buildings. More number of urban populations are preferring to live in private buildings which faces less risk of communal issues. With such scenarios it is quite a dire necessity to develop residential building complexes with common facilities, like supermarkets, clubs and gardens, etc. to create a safe community space.

One-bedroom units, two-bedroom units and three-bedroom units are the three main floor plan layouts of the apartments, based on which the five residential towers have been segregated.
The first tower has only 2-BHK units, the second tower has only 3-BHK units, the third and fourth towers have a mix of 1-BHK and 2-BHK units, and the fifth tower has a mix of 2-BHK and 3-BHK units. Each residential tower is a separate and individual unit that provides a hassle-free living experience. All the homes have sufficient infrastructure with the availability of all basic equipment and amenities that will ensure a comfortable and peaceful stay. Each residential tower has a common room for social gatherings and a rooftop terrace where residents can walk around and relax.

All residential towers will be raised to sit on pilotis, creating a continuous flow of highly social spaces on the ground floor that can enhance interactions and social gatherings between residents. This residential campus has many other facilities, such as parking for each resident, basketball court, central park, clubhouse and swimming pool along with a children's playground.

Each residential tower is divided into four sections, so that each building has enough openings for facilitating cross ventilation. The angular positioning of the building on this trapezoidal-shaped plot resulted in the creation of dynamic social interaction spaces that are well connected to each other. Many green pockets surround the common play area and create a new easy flowing space which adapts to the climate of Lagos. With a view to include a large number of residents in this development, the spatial configuration was planned in such a way that the number of residents in the building increased.

With the use of exposed bricks, which is one of the traditional building materials of the region, the vertical structural elements of the towers are emphasized and that gives a vernacular feel to the overall development. The neutral and earthy colours of the surface blend well with the lush green landscape of the site, showing a harmonious relationship between the built environment and the open spaces.

The conceptual process led to an inclusive, self-sufficient residential township proposal with a comprehensive design that combined architectural strategies and urban planning principles. Residential townships will become the most viable option in this growing economy of Lagos, leading to a safer life for all residents.