Taking center stage in the world of architecture are modern designs built with sleekness and infused with technology.
Designs like this have taken a more advanced leap with the introduction of cultural craftsmanship, where local artistry is integrated into buildings, preserving cultures and reviving the relevance of history.
Fortunately, Oluwabusuyi Adonis Fakanlu, founder of Comfort Architectural Finishing Limited, is at the fore of this evolution, championing the art of traditional architecture.
His commitment to innovatively incorporating traditional elements in Nigeria’s architectural landscape not only serves as an ode to the country’s diverse identities and history but also reveals the valuable role local artisans play in contemporary construction.
Oluwabusuyi’ works speak volumes of his expertise, revealing the clever blend of modern aesthetics and cultural imprints, which creates unique structures that bridge the past and the present.
As an industry evolves, it’s important that professionals move with the pace, reinventing their crafts and honing their skills to show relevance, and it’s in the same vein that Oluwabusuyi decided to stay relevant by endorsing a vision that captures the essence of cultural heritage.
His understanding of architecture is beyond designs and buildings for functionality, but for sustainability, cultural preservation, community building, and national fulfillment.
For Oluwabusuyi, buildings should tell a story, and the stories will only come alive when the design and materials used link with a cultural or historical significance of the surrounding community.
“Communities should be able to tell their stories through buildings, and the best way to achieve this is through a deliberate partnership with local artisans whose skills have been honed from time immemorial,” Oluwabusuyi often adds.
Many believe that the beauty of traditional and local craftsmanship only exists in the past, as the present barely promotes local architectural efficacy.
However, Oluwabusuyi is standing on a renewed orientation, where he believes traditional artistry needs to gain prominence in the architectural landscape, drawing inspiration from the intricate Yoruba wood carvings, impeccable bronze work of the Benin Empire, and the amazing sculptures of the middle-belt states in Nigeria. This inspiration was because of his growing-up experience, where each work of art tells a story to teach, remind, correct, entertain, and uplift.
Oluwabusuyi beckons on collaborating with local artisans and considers it a win-win approach. He believes that his traditional architecture vision can only come into fruition when local artisans are involved in construction processes, where traditional art forms like wood carving, stone masonry, and hand-woven textiles will be incorporated with modern designs. This isn’t only to preserve these crafts, but to also elevate them, giving them a higher dimension for demand and relevance in modern spaces.
“I have partnered with local artisans, and it only deepened the realization that architecture isn’t only creating beautiful spaces but also allowing every form of artistry within the industry to have a voice, regardless of the rush in modernity,” Oluwabusuyi remarks.
Through Oluwabusuyi’ approach, local artisans aren’t just suppliers or workers in the construction chain but are now stakeholders whose contributions are to be valued in design decision-making processes.
This approach has fostered cooperation and collaboration between traditional and contemporary construction professionals, serving as a breeding ground for more creativity.
The rise of this architectural approach has served as economic empowerment for artisans, as their jobs no longer earn them peanuts but huge financial value. This opportunity is considered fresh, away from the meager struggles in the past; hence, artisans are now consistently standing on business, partnering with Comfort Architectural Finishing Limited, which provides constant jobs and, by extension, steady income.
“Oluwabusuyi has created jobs for us, and working with him just makes me put more effort into my craft. It’s a thing of joy that our craft is validated and is serving as a good source for survival,” says Bayo, a sculptor who has collaborated with Oluwabusuyi on several projects.
Oluwabusuyi firmly believes that there’ll be no community building if artisans, which are an essential group, aren’t empowered. When they are rewarded for their crafts, there’s a sense of devotion that eventually steams competition, indirectly contributing to sustainable economic development. And in a broader sense, it largely benefits the community, where hard work and talent are encouraged for younger generations to emulate to initiate a legacy.
The uniqueness that the traditional and modern architectural merger brings to the industry is drawing lines into several other inventions. Renewable building materials provide buildings with carbon-neutral emissions, which promote sustainability and invite access to good air and sunlight.
In one of Oluwabusuyi’ projects, there’s a clear incorporation of the intricacy of wooden panels that are hand-carved; they serve as room dividers, not only paying homage to local culture but also offering warmth while maintaining sleekness in a modern feel. Clients had positive remarks, lauding how the cultural elements added some sort of character and depth to their homes.
“What makes a house turn a home isn’t just the people in it, but the historical design and personality injected into the space,” Oluwabusuyi explains.
The beauty of every art lies in the hands it’s passed on to. This is why Oluwabusuyi believes there’s a need for knowledge transfer of local artistry to maintain its relevance. As a step to accomplishing this course, Oluwabusuyi had set up training programs that aimed to allow experienced artisans to teach young people who were willing to learn local architectural artistry.
The Comfort Architectural Finishing Limited regularly organizes workshops to continue training, keeping traditional skills alive and ensuring that they are cleverly merged with contemporary designs. “Young talents should be nurtured so traditional artistry doesn’t relinquish into thin air. These talents will be responsible for holding on to a legacy and innovating to make the art relevant in the future,” Oluwabusuyi iterates.
Speaking on challenges with the integration of traditional craftsmanship into modern architecture, Oluwabusuyi confirms that the process isn’t always hitch-free. He pointed out that logistics stands as a major challenge, where local materials take time to source and how the materials and artisans are transported to access modern tools. The process might be cost-effective and offer cultural significance, but it slows down project timelines. Despite this challenge, Oluwabusuyi remains resolute to keeping the heritage of cultures. According to him, “It’s time-consuming, but the end results are always worth it. I believe we’ll invent ways to minimize these delays as we progress because homes are not the only thing built, but also legacies.”
Oluwabusuyi’ efforts towards this course are rather inspiring, causing mind-shifts among professionals, challenging them to always settle for creativity amongst all odds. His traditional architectural movement has sparked conversations, raising awareness on the importance of culture and participatory architecture, particularly in modern climes. Architects and developers are now on the move to explore creative options, advancing the relevance of traditional craftsmanship and all its benefits, which include economic empowerment for artisans and the promotion of tourism.
The future for Oluwabusuyi is clear, as he looks forward to remaining committed to reinventing his expertise, exploring creative measures that advance the architectural scope in Nigeria, solving problems, and providing comfort. His projects continue to honor the cultural heritage of the country, reminding professionals that progress shouldn’t override tradition but should be placed side by side to coexist, resulting in a more wholesome and inclusive architectural approach—benefitting local artisans who get their pockets filled, the country whose history will be respected, and the clients who get to live and experience Nigeria’s soul in their everyday lives.
“Local craftsmanship should be encouraged, as it’s more than just a business model, but a mission to remind us all of our roots and the power that resides in our beliefs, showcasing our beauty and our talents,” Oluwabusuyi concludes, a glimmer of hope and pride in his voice.