Beyond Buildings: A Conversation with Eromosele Anetor

Part Two

If the first part of our conversation explored the making of an architect, the second turned to the ideas that continue to shape Eromosele Anetor’s outlook. From African architecture and sustainability to artificial intelligence and mentorship, the discussion became less about buildings and more about the future of the profession.

Throughout, one thing remained constant: his belief that architecture is ultimately about people

What Makes African Architecture African?

There’s an ongoing conversation about African architecture. In your view, what gives architecture an African identity?

I don’t think African architecture is defined by motifs or decorative elements alone. It’s defined by how well it responds to its surroundings. Our climate is different. Our culture is different. The way our people live, interact, and use space is different. Architecture should reflect those realities.

For example, Africans love colour. We are expressive and vibrant. It shows in our dresses, our murals, our music, our homes. We should try to contextualize our architecture to reflect us. Not just copy from the West. That doesn’t mean every building has to imitate traditional forms. We shouldn’t copy the past. We should understand it, learn from it and reinterpret it for today. Yes, there can be plurality of ideas and approaches but the goal should remain the same. It’s more about the spirit of Africa than creating a homogeneous style. Proponents like David Adjaye and Francis Kéré are doing a commendable job with their approaches.

To me, that’s what gives architecture an authentic African identity. It must be rooted in where we are coming from. Draw inspiration from history. It’s very important. If you don’t know where you are coming from, how do you know where you are going? That’s how you come up with something endearing. Fine, you can give various expressions to it with the many materials we have- old and new- but it must be rooted. That’s my own understanding. I don’t know if I’ve been able to achieve it in all my projects, but that’s what we strive for.

Designing for Climate

Sustainability has become one of the biggest conversations in architecture today. Has it changed the way you design?

Good African architecture has always been about sustainability, even before we started using that word. If you understand climate properly, you naturally begin to make better design decisions.

You think about orientation. Natural ventilation. Daylighting. Shading. Energy consumption. These aren’t fashionable ideas. They’re simply good architecture. Technology has given us better tools, but the principles themselves haven’t changed.

Technology Is a Tool

Artificial intelligence is beginning to influence architecture. Do you see it as an opportunity or a threat?

Definitely an opportunity. Every generation has seen new technology change the profession. When computers first arrived, many people thought they would replace architects. Instead, they made us more efficient.

I think AI will do the same. It will help us analyse information more quickly, explore more options and improve our workflow. But creativity still comes from people.

AI can generate possibilities. It cannot replace judgement. That’s still the architect’s responsibility

Never Stop Learning

You’ve travelled widely and visited many remarkable buildings. How important is travel to an architect?

It’s invaluable. Books are important. Photographs are helpful. But nothing compares with experiencing architecture in person. You understand scale differently. You notice materials. You see how light changes a space throughout the day. You observe how people actually use a building.

Those are things photographs can never fully capture. Every architect should travel whenever the opportunity arises. The world becomes your classroom.

The Importance of Museums

You’ve also spoken about the value of visiting museums. Why do you encourage young architects to do that?

Because architecture doesn’t exist in isolation. Museums teach you about history. Art. Culture. Civilisation. They help you understand how societies evolve and how people express themselves.

Architecture draws from all those things. The broader your interests, the richer your architecture becomes.

Advice to Young Architects

If you were speaking to a young architect just starting out today, what advice would you give?

Be curious. Read widely. Travel if you can. Observe everything. Don’t limit yourself to architecture books. Learn about history. Art. Technology. Psychology. Business. Architecture connects with all of them.

And be patient.

Good architects aren’t produced overnight. Experience matters. Every project teaches you something.

The Legacy Question

When people look back at your career, what do you hope they’ll remember?

I’d like them to remember that we tried to do good work. Work that responded to its environment. Work that served people well. That contributed positively to our cities.

Architecture isn’t really about the architect. It’s about the lives that are improved because the building exists. If people can say our buildings made a positive difference, I’d be happy with that.

One Final Question

After all these years, what still inspires you?

Curiosity. I still enjoy learning, visiting buildings, solving problems. Every project begins with a blank sheet of paper. That never gets old.

It’s one of the reasons architecture remains such a fascinating profession.

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Closing Reflections

Speaking with Eromosele Anetor, one is struck not by grand declarations or architectural manifestos, but by a quiet consistency of thought. Throughout a career spanning more than three decades, he has resisted the temptation to chase trends or cultivate a recognisable signature style. Instead, he has remained committed to a simple but demanding idea: that architecture should respond honestly to people, place and purpose.

Whether discussing a corporate headquarters in Lagos, the influence of climate on design or the possibilities of artificial intelligence, he returns repeatedly to the same belief—that good architecture begins with understanding before drawing.

Perhaps that is why his work feels measured rather than fashionable. It is architecture that seeks to endure because it is rooted in principles rather than style.

And perhaps that is the lasting lesson from this conversation.

Buildings may define skylines.

But ideas define architects.