Nigerian Architect files

Arc. Lanre Towry-CokerBIOGRAPHY
Architect Lanre Towry-Coker (Ph.D.) is the son of distinguished Civil Engineer who in the early 60’s was the planning adviser to the late Malayan Prime Minister, Tunku AbdulRahman. Architect Lanre Towry-Coker was educated at the popular St. Matthias Roman Catholic (Primary) School,  Lafiaji,  in Lagos,  and at the Kingston College,  Surrey,  in the United Kingdom, where he obtained the GCE ‘O & A’ Levels.  He later received his academic training at the prestigious Architectural Association School of Architecture,  London,  (after passing the entrance examination).  He then went to Thames University, where he completed his Royal Institute of British Architects’ part 1 exams. Architect Towry-Coker, who holds a Post-Graduate qualification in Architecture from the University of North East London,  completed his professional training at the world famous Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).  He is also an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in the United Kingdom (ACI.Arb.) and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (FNIA).
A graduate of the renowned Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration (OPM),  in the United States of America (which he attended as a full-fledged professional in the course of his brilliant career).
PRACTICE
A seasoned Architect, who started his own architectural practice in 1976.   Architect Towry-Coker has originated numerous prestigious building all over Nigeria and has won numerous competitions.  He was one of the original planners of Abuja and takes credit for originating the initial concept of the first hotel in the relocated Federal Capital,  Abuja Sheraton Hote (now re-christened Meridien) won the competition to design the Abuja Conference Centre which was completed .  Not long ago he was adjudged the best entry in an international competition  (which attracted a total of 110 entries) to design the World Bank resident mission headquarters, and residences in Abuja,  which was Commissioned.  He has in his professional career designed and supervised several major buildings all over Nigeria.
A past Chairman of the Public Relations Committee and International Relations Committee of the Nigerian Institute of Architects  (NIA).  Architect Towry-Coker has led numerous delegations of the NIA to different types of organized parallel international and regional professional bodies.  He was NIA’s representative at the world photo – voltaic association arranged by the International Union of Architects and led the Institute’s delegation to  a forum held in Australia under the auspices of the Commonwealth Institute of Architects.  More recently in 1997, he was the head of a Nigerian mission to the United States Building Business Symposium.
Public Service
His public sector career has been no less eventful and memorable. He was chairman Lagos State Waste Disposal Board,   and was the Chairman of the Lagos State Luna Parks.  He was also privileged to serve as Chairman of the Lagos State Investment Promotion Council and on the Technical Committee on Open Spaces.
He is an ex-member of the State Tenders Board. In 1999, Arc. Towry-Coker was appointed the pioneer Honourable Commissioner for Housing in Lagos State.  He served as a full cabinet member for 4 years, before returning to the private sector in 2003.  He was a Member of the Presidential Committee on Housing and Urban Development, inaugurated by the President Commander-in –Chief of the Armed Forces, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in 2001-2002.  During his tenure as Hon. Commissioner he completed no less than four large abandoned estates and initiated another fifteen housing estates in Lagos State.
Politics
Architect Towry-Coker, entered partisan politics in 1992 when he contested the Lagos Central Senatorial Seat under the banner of the former Social Democratic Party (SDP), He has over the years authored different publications on wide-ranging topical subjects which are of timeless relevance.  These include ‘Towards a Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency’ (a seminar blue print).  Low-income Housing, Technology Transfer: The Construction Dimension and The Metro –Line Affair (a review / plan for mass Transportation in Lagos State), among others.
A much traveled individual whose professional practice has taken him to no fewer than 36 countries scattered all over six continents.  He is a member of the Nigerian-Asian Chamber of Commerce, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA). A founder member of the Nigerian-German Business Council.  He is also a member of the Nigerian Finnish Chamber of Commerce. He belongs to the boards of a number of companies and bodies including charitable organization like the Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation, Centre for Conflict Resolution and the Centre for the Promotion of an Industrial Society.
A warm and outgoing personality who in 1984 was nominated Outstanding Young Person (OYP) of the metropolis by the Jaycees (diminution of the Junior Chamber of Commerce International), a non-governmental organization.  Architect Towry-Coker is a member of quite a number of charitable,  social and sports clubs and organizations, notably the Lions Club International,  Metropolitan Club (Lagos), Ikoyi Club (Lagos). Polo Club (Lagos) the Lagos Motor Boat Club, and Yoruba Tennis Club. Architect, Urban –Cum- Transportation Planner, Project Manager and Author all rolled Into one, Dr. Towry-Coker, with a knowledge of French, German, Russian Enjoys writing, researching and organizing in addition to playing badminton, golf,  Squash-rackets and tennis occasionally.
Family
Offices ¬ View
  1. Savannah Bank (Former Bank of America) Headquarters, Lagos (Competition Win)
  2. Umarco Headquarters, Apapa
  3. Blackwood Hodge Headquarters, Badagry Exp. Way
  4. Guaranty Trust Bank, Victoria Island
  5. Swedish Embassy, Victoria Island
  6. Fountain Trust Merchant Bank, Victoria Island
  7. Nichemtex offices, Ikorodu.
  8. World Bank Resident Mission, Offices, Residences Abuja FCT. (Competition win) (Competition win out of 110 competitors!)
  9. AIB Plaza, Victoria Island (Competition win)
  10. Shestco Administrative Complex, Abuja FCT
  11. Angolan Embassy, Victoria Island (Chancery & Residences)
  12. Lagos State Water Corporation Headquarters, Lagos.
  13. The Ark Towers, Pan Ocean Oil Head Office, Ligali Ayorinde St. Victoria Island. (Virgin Atlantic)
  14. UAC office development, Abuja FCT
  15. Albix biscuits H.Q – Isolo Expressway.
  16. UACN Property Development Company Ply. Phase 2, Abuja




WORKS





AT ONAJIDE ASSOCIATES

A.T. Onajide Associates was established in 1987 and was incorporated in 29th February 1996. The firm started by winning a design competition to design the largest recreational squash court complex in West Africa, for the oldest country club in Lagos, Nigeria.
Our aim is to practise architecture at its highest level by creating new solutions that satisfy clients requirements and add total value to the built environment. The firm started by winning a design competition to design the largest recreational squash court complex in West Africa, for the oldest country club in Lagos Nigeria.

A. T. Onajide Associates was established in 1987 and was incorporated in 29th February 1996 as A. T. Onajide Architects Ltd

JAMES CUBITT ARCHITECTS
James Cubitt Architects Nigeria was set up by the London office (James Cubitt & Partners) in 1956, following an initial venture into Ghana. As the West African regional office, the Lagos practice was able to efficiently execute the increasing number of post-independence projects.

The firm has since executed commissions in the educational, industrial, commercial and residential sectors. The current focus of the practice is commercial-office and residential, with the dominant clients being the banking and telecommunications industries. We also provide architectural consultancy, planning, project management and interior design services in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

Our portfolio of recently completed projects includes the Lagos Civic Centre and Diamond Bank, Lekki, proving that we are constantly reinventing ourselves and remaining relevant. With a fully established office and over 50 years of design experience, James Cubitt Architects retains a reputation for cutting-edge design in Nigeria. Our core strength lies in our ability to translate every brief into simple, precise, yet bold forms, with a commitment to social and environmental responsibility.



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