Modern Architecture in Nigeria and It’s Trends in Historical Buildings (Failure of modernist in Conservation andRestoration of Historical Buildings)

Modern architecture has vital impact in Nigerian architecture even though there are somesocio-cultural and religious factors and elements of traditional architecture and use of traditional materials andprinciples of design that still exist. This paper will be discussing on how modern architecture failed in the aspectthe of conservation and restoration of palace buildings which are the focal points within the walled cities thatis directly captured as significant historical buildings. Basically the palace serves as a whole administrative andnon-administrative building based on its division into various functional spaces. Moreover, the palace buildingconstruction as well as changes and fortifications occurred overtime which is seen directly from the facades. Thisperiods includes; vernacular pre-colonial and post-colonial period. Therefore the research illustrates how importedmodern architecture affected the palaces of the country at large. For this paper two particular palaces namely; Hadejiaand Kano emirs palace in the Northern region dominated by the Hausa/Fulani’s will be used for the comparative anddescriptive criticism. Relevant information will be collected from the buildings and then from the findings, analysisof the building based on some certain parameters such as; building location, period of construction, and materialsused will be considered and most of all the criticism of the failure of modernist architects in terms of conservationand restoration of the two ancient palace buildings will be judged based on the final view point which will imply thetrends of modernism in Nigerian historical buildings.