Calabar International Conference Center, Nigeria

Calabar International Conference Center Nigeria, Architecture, Architect, News, Design

Calabar International Conference Center

Nigerian Building – design by Henning Larsen, Architects

13 Jan 2011

Calabar International Conference Center Nigeria

Danish architects to design prestige project in Nigeria

Henning Larsen Architects has won the international architectural competition for the new Calabar International Conference Center in the southeastern part of Nigeria. The Center will stand out as a spectacular building in the scenic river delta of the Cross River State bordering Cameroun. The Calabar building competition was won over Mecanoo from the Netherlands and three other international architecture companies.

Calabar International Conference Center, Nigeria
Calabar International Conference Center images from Henning Larsen Architects

”The Governor of the Cross River State, Mr. Liyel Imoke, has grand visions for the future. The centre will make it possible for the Cross River State to host global events, which will benefit the local economy. We visited the city of Calabar between Christmas and New Year and we are really looking forward to establishing a close collaboration with local partners. It will be our job to carry out the project that will provide Calabar with an international profile”, says Architect and Associate Partner, Ulrik Raysse, Henning Larsen Architects.

“As a consultant in Africa, you have a big responsibility for adapting your knowledge and design to the local conditions. Our approach to the project has been based on the local context. The project should support the desired development of the region in the best way possible.”

Calabar International Conference Center, Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populous country of Africa and one of the continent’s fastest growing economies. Calabar is already hosting numerous conferences and, with the completion of the new Conference Center, the city hopes to attract even more international meetings and tourists. The multi-functional and flexible building will also offer the citizens of Calabar a new cultural centre that will provide the setting for concerts, film festivals and exhibitions.

The Calabar International Conference Centre consists of four adjoining, sculptural volumes. The building is situated on top of a hill and has a panoramic view from the foyer. The location of the center on the middle of the hill creates a natural amphitheatre with a room for several thousand people on the one side and a spectacular view of the river delta on the other side.

Calabar International Conference Center, Nigeria

”Nigeria is developing rapidly at the moment and, as an architect invited to contribute to this development, you have a special obligation to consider architecture as more than a question of geometry. Architecture also contributes to the development of society”, says International Design Director and Partner, Louis Becker, Henning Larsen Architects. “When we work at an international scale, we take with us and architectural tradition where the design is based on dialogue and dedication. We do not hide at the company office in Copenhagen but go into the world to be inspired and contribute with our experience where it makes a difference.”

Henning Larsen Architects has designed several cultural and conference centres and has also previously worked in Africa. In 1992, the Nation Center in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi was completed.

Calabar International Conference Center Nigeria images / information from Henning Larsen Architects

Calabar Conference Center design : Henning Larsen Architects

Location: Calabar, Nigeria, Africa

Conference Centre Buildings

African Architecture

African Buildings

Contemporary Architecture in Africa – Buildings Selection

Aging in Africa, Cote D’Ivoire
Design: HWKN, architects
Aging in Africa
image from architects
Aging in Africa

Bibliotheca Alexandrina / Alexandria Library, Egypt
Design: Snohetta Architecture
Alexandria Library
photo from Snøhetta Architects
Alexandria Library Egypt

University of The Gambia – New Campus
Design: Snøhetta
African University building
image from architects
University of The Gambia

Congo Schools for Article 25, Democratic Republic of Congo
Congo School
image from architects
Congo School Buildings

Nigerian Architecture

Murtala Mohammed International Airport Hotel Complex, Lagos, Nigeria
2007-
Design: Capita Percy Thomas, Architects

African Institute of Science & Technology – University campus, Abuja, Nigeria
2006-
Design: Massimiliano Fuksas Architects
RIBA Architecture Competition win – Nelson Mandela Institute

African architecture competition : Pan-African Parliament building

South African Architecture

Buildings / photos for the Calabar International Conference Center Nigeria page welcome

Calabar International Conference Center – page

Africa