Calabar International Conference Center in Nigeria

Article source: Henning Larsen Architects
More projects by Henning Larsen Architects

The Calabar International Conference Center in the southeastern part of Nigeria is located in the scenic river delta of the Cross River State bordering Cameroun. 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.

Calabar Conference Center

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. On the one side, the location on the middle of the hill creates a natural amphitheatre with a room for several thousand people. On the other side, you have a spectacular view of the river delta, and you can go to and from the Centre through a park on the hill. The walk through the park creates contact to nature and offers changing views of the characteristic shape of the Centre.

View from inside

The volumes are cast in concrete and appear as sharply cut. The main hall can be opened up towards the outdoor amphitheatre so the technical installations of the stage can also be used in connection with outdoor events. The flexible building design allows for several types of events to take place at the same time.

The Calabar International Conference Centre uses passive means of sustainability to achieve a low energy consumption. As far possible, the Centre will be built of local materials to minimise the environmental impact and avoid long transport.

Calabar Conference Center at night

Calabar, Nigeria

Calabar is the capital of the Cross River State situated in the southeastern part of Nigeria bordering Cameroun. The city is located by the scenic river delta at the outfall of the Calabar River Channel. Two thirds of the state is covered in rainforest, the only protected rainforest of Nigeria. The Cross River State has a population of around three million people of which almost half live in the capital of Calabar.

With its 150 million inhabitants, Nigeria is the most populous country of Africa. The capital of Lagos has 18 million citizens. Nigeria is Africa’s third largest economy and has experienced an economic growth rate of more than 7 percent in 2010.

• Architect: Henning Larsen Architects
• Project location: Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
• Client: Cross River State
• Gross floor area: 16,000 m2
• Type of assignment: Winner of invited, international competition
• Project team: Louis Becker, Ulrik Raysse (Design Manager), Niels Edeltoft (Project Manager), Eric Tan, Tomasz Dabrowski and Peter Krogtoft (3D)

Tags: Calabar, Nigeria

Categories: Cultural Center, Henning Larsen

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