ABSTRACT

A concern for a conducive environment for discussion and exchange views and ideas on
different subjects and to find solutions to problems existing in the society motivated this study
on conference center. In Nigeria today, so many conferences, seminars and meetings take
place without adequate facilities to aid them. Therefore, ensuring adequate facilities and
eliminating echoes in an auditorium of a conference center are the major challenges in this
design of conference center. Conference facilities are designed for the former type of
meetings, that is, they provide avenues by which structured meetings, various groups,
individuals or organizations as the case may be, assembled together to find solution to a
particular problem and problems that affects them in form of lectures, seminars, debates and
short course that will benefit both the school and those in public and private sector of the
economy. Such structured meetings give rise to revelation of ideas and contact between
participants. If meetings are to be effective, appropriate conditions must be provided to
create a milieu for creative discussion. The external form of the buildings, the materials used
and the way and manner in which they are handled create different feelings for the different
people that will use them. The Conference Centre, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus has
arisen out of this same need to create appropriate spaces for conferences to be carried out
conductively. Here spaces are provided to facilitate these meetings for the exchange of ideas
and in addition for further research, training and seminars for both Universities and co-
operate bodies.

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 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Conference, a bringing together, for the purpose of discussion and sometimes decision, of
representatives of sovereign states or of delegates of all sorts of bodies and societies (Lawson
F.R.1981). Conferences are sometimes classified political or bargaining and non-political;
legislative diplomatic and technical; and periodic and ad hoc. Non-political conferences are
subdivided into Administrative, economic, humanitarian, social, communications, scientific
educational and cultural. Legislative, if they result in the development of Law, and
diplomatic/technical depending on whether attended by Diplomats/technical experts. Such
classifications are of relative value as some conferences, notably peace conferences, embrace
a wide range of objectives and include diplomatic along with technical representatives.
Conferences are usually general sessions and face-to-face groups with a high participation
primarily concerne6d with planning, obtaining facts and information or in solving
organizational and operational problems (Lawson F.R. 1981).

Therefore, a conference center is where these sorts of meetings are held. Due to the rise in
demand for conference facilities and growing competition to satisfy the demand, we have
now purpose-built conference centers. This demand is more than just having a place to meet
and deliberate on issues affecting those involved, secondary demands such as exhibitions,
accommodation, recreation and communication have arisen. The provision of all these
facilities within a complex has greatly solved the problems organizers and delegates for
meetings would have faced. Conferences are good business because they benefit from tax
advantage of business expenses against which their costs can be claimed. They are often as
much entertainment and celebration as they are work or serious exchange of information.
Conferences usually have connections with tourism and benefit the host city, state or country.
In competing for hosting rights, cities, states, countries and universities have had to consider
the standard of the facilities on offer in order to improve its own chances. Modern conference
centers provide a wide range of facilities. In catering for both small and large groups, the
conference facilities include one or two large auditoria, medium sized halls or lecture theatres
and committee rooms. In most cases, the halls may be capable of being divided or extended.
For good acoustics and unobstructed sight lines the floors of the main auditoria are almost
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always raked or stepped in tiers. To provide flexibility in use, other halls may be separated by
movable partitions, although high standards of sound insulation and fire separation must be
ensured (Lawson F.R. 1981).

Apart from independent running conference centers, there are those run by hotels and
universities. Meetings in hotels held particularly by business and commercial organizations.
Most of these meetings do not extend beyond one day, although over night accommodation is
required by some 40 per cent of the delegates.

1.2 STATEMENT OF ARCHITECTURAL PROBLEMS

For the purpose of this research report, the major architectural problem which the author
intends to solve is SPEECH ACOUSTICS- Acoustics management and control to aid
audibility. During the case study 6the author actually observed this particular acoustics
problem in Shehu Yar‟ Adua Center, Abuja which he intend to solve or improved by his
architectural design through the proper use of an appropriate form and shape for the
auditorium, minimizing the volume of the auditorium, the proper use of a good absorptive
materials on walls of the auditorium, use of raked seats on the floors of the main auditoria ,
and which are of course, of very important to the proper functioning of the conference center.
Consequently, the successful planning of the conference center involve a well-considered
choice and strict application of these deciding principles, whose chief theoretical and
practical aspects shall be discussed later in this research report.

1.3 AIM

The aim of this project is to design a befitting conference centre for Z.D.A. headquarter in
Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi state. also to identify ways to improve and provide good sound
quality in an auditorium of a conference center.

1.4 OBJECTIVES

The specific objectives of this study are:

1. To provide optimum speech intelligibility and sound quality in auditoriums of public

buildings by eliminating echoes and reflection in the auditorium.
2. To suppress sound coming from outside the conference center such as churches,
schools and vehicles plying along the road.
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 3. To design a suitable and attractive structure with needed structural stability.
4. To position various building materials at the right levels in other to achieve stability
safety an aesthetics.

1.5 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Sourcing of information is the backbone of a successful research work. This project research
made use of primary and secondary sources of information. The research methods used
included: Direct interviews and enquiries from people, Visit to and critical analysis of
existing projects. Use of existing literature from textbooks, publications, magazines, and
unpublished materials. Use of the internet for further information and data collection.
Consultations with my project supervisor.

1.6 SCOPE

The scope of this project will be limited to designing modern facilities for successful
conferences both at state and national levels. In addition to providing conference facilities,
the center is expected to provide:

 Auditoria for lectures and seminars

 Accommodation for delegates
 Administrative Facilities
 Meeting Rooms
 Exhibition Spaces
 Banquet Halls
 Catering Services

1.6 LIMITATION

The following are the limitations encountered when carrying out the project:

 Time constraint
 Inadequate journals
 Restriction to some part of the building

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1.7 MOTIVATION

A number of researchers have provided insights, theoretical as well as empirical, into the
problems related to acoustical quality in halls of public buildings. However, everybody
agrees that the issue is important, as building acoustics problem is one of the most commonly
observed phenomenon in conference centers in Nigeria. Therefore, this work will:

1. Provide some hints and make recommendation on how to elucidate problems related
to acoustical quality in halls of public buildings in terms of the current state of the art
in architectural acoustics.
2. It will as well enhance literatures available to improvements of these public buildings
on the usefulness of architectural acoustics in enhancing the quality of sounds in the
auditoriums as it affects audibility.
3. This research will assist architects in analyzing in detail on the methods of evaluating
the acoustical quality of spaces for speech and musical programs.
4. Acoustical properties of spaces are discussed and many objective acoustical measures
are presented to improve the acoustics quality of a conference centre.

1.8 DEFINATION OF TERMS

1. Conference: A conference is a meeting, sometimes lasting for several days in which

people with a common interest participate in discussions or listen to lectures to obtain
information. A conference can also be general sessions and face-to-f6ace groups, with
a high participation primarily concerned with planning, obtaining facts and
Information or in solving organizational and operational problems. A British Tourist
Authority also defines a conference as a meeting held in hired premises, lasting a
minimum of six hours, attended by a minimum of twenty-five people and having a
fixed agenda or programme.
2. Conference center: A centre is a building dedicated to a particular activity (Word
Web Dictionary). Consequently, a conference center is a building where conferences
are held. To be more precise, a conference centre is a full-service hospitality entity
that specializes in accommodating small to medium sized meetings as its first order of
business (Swisher, P. 2004, Interview with Jack Schmidt). Seventy percent of revenue
from the conference centers is generated from conferences. The core functionality of
conference centers is providing the best environment in which to conduct training and

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 educational sessions and still providing recreational facilities to satisfy the needs of
the conferee. Conference centers also cater to small groups seeking quieter, more
intimate businesslike surroundings than are generally found in other hospitality
facilities.
3. Conventions: An assembly of persons for some common object or for the exchange
of ideas, views and information of common interest to the group. The term is used in
place of Conference in the United States of America.
4. Seminars: It usually a face-to-face group sharing experiences in a particular field
under the guidance of an expert discussion leader. Meetings of this kind involve up to
thirty persons.
5. Lecture: A formal presentation by an expert to an audience, followed by a question
and answer period.
6. Forum: A panel discussion taking opposite sides of an issue by experts in a given
field with liberal opportunity for the audience to participate.
7. Panel: Two or more speakers, each stating a viewpoint, with discussion between the
speakers. A moderator guides the discussion (Encyclopedia 1968).
8. Delegate: A representative, somebody chosen to represent or given the authority to
act on behalf of another person, group or organization for example at a meeting or
conference (Microsoft Encarta Multimedia 2002).
9. Workshop: Comprises a general session together with face-to face groups of
participants training each other to gain new knowledge, skills or insights into
problems. Attendance is generally not more than thirty-five persons.

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RELATIONS

The most important economic activity of the people of the area is farming. In the culture of
the Jarawa, Sayawa, Gerawa and Sigidawa, there existed two types of farming, namely, the
'Kidn dihn' (Backyard) farm. This type of farming is done very close to the house. The
second type of farming was the 'Kidn namtsih' (country farm). This was usually located very
far from the homes. The proximity of the Kidn dihn to the home made it very suitable for
women to cultivate. Maize, Okro and vegetables were found in the Kidn dihn. Men cultivated
the more distant country farms. The Hausa Fulani were cattle rearers who were involved in
seasonal transhumancc. Apart from those Fulani who lived in 'Ruga' (make-shift residence)
and provided 'nono' (milk) for the other groups in th6e area, the main economic activity of the
Fulani was cattle rearing. There was therefore a symbiotic relationship between them and the
farming community, as they required the cow dung for manure, while the other provided
foodstuff. It was exactly this kind of understanding that existed between the various groups
that was referred to as very cordial. It is agreed that the Jarawa and Sayawa regarded
themselves as playmates. Sayawa/Hausa-Fulani relation was equally cordial. The nomadic
Fulani mainly concerned themselves with acquiring some form of guarantee for their right to
graze their cattle, which was never denied

2.2 ETHNIC FORMULATIONS AND INTER GROUP RELATIONS

The problem associated with the pattern of ethnic relations in Tafawa Balewa revolves
around the question of the ownership of the place. This places a big border on the question of
the foundation of the place, the origin of the name 'Tafawa Balewa'; and citizenship.

2.3 THE ORIGIN OF TAFAWA BALEWA

A lot of controversy surrounds the history of the area of study, Tafawa Balewa. The Bauchi
Emirate Council and the Sayawa people agree that the name Tafawa Balewa came from a
dome of granite about 200 meters high, situated by the riverside on entering the town.
However, both of them disagree that each inhabited the area before the other. Tafawa Balewa

7
is a Fulani word meaning 'black stone'. The Fulani used the name to describe the huge black
rock found in the town.

According to Bauchi emirate council, in a submission to the Bauchi State Committee on the
Creation of Sayawa chiefdom in 1991. The leadership of Tafawa Balewa town should have
been rested in the Fulani, its founders. However, because every dry season, they have to
travel southwards with their cattle in search of pasture and water it became difficult for them
to give meaningful leadership especially for their sedentary neighbours. The leadership went
to their next earlier settlers, the Kanun. Tafawa Balewa witnessed six Kanuri warheads, often,
succession to thrones break when there is no suitable candidates from the ruling family. It
was this circumstance that the Kanuri "dynasty" in Tafawa Balewa was interfaced with that
of Angasawa "Dynasty" bul NEVER the Sayawa who were in fact not in Tafawa Balewa
until the 1970s.

The Sayawa have equally laid claim to Tafawa Balewa as the earliest inhabitants, tracing
their migration to the area to the 13lh century from the south of Tchad, and the Kanem Bornu
Empire. They claim to have settled first at the foot of the black stone, which was then called
Puji. They refer to the Fulani as the second settlers who co-habited the place as pastoralists.
Therefore, the present Tafawa Balewa was originally called Puji, derived from Sayawa
Language, "Pus" - meaning stone, "ji" meaning black. The two words put together formed
"PUSJI" - meaning black stone. The Fulani settlers were to hterarily translate Pusji to Tafawa
- Balewa, a Fulani word for black stone. The name was to be changed by Hausa traders to
"Tafawa Balewa. Having firmly established commercial trading commodities like salt,
potash, hoes, which they sold to the Sayawa people for which they exchanged goats, rams,
guinea corn, cotton, rice, the Hausa gradually increased in population. This expansion in
population enabled them to settle in the various hamlets, which they also renamed as follows:

Gill - Bogoro Marsmg - Lusa Keser - Sarah Kimsi - Boi Tiri - Lere Borshi - Gyara Apart
from changing the names of the various settlements, the Hausa also changed the indigenous
name the Sayawa called themselves, from "Zar" to "Sayawa. The Hausa-Fulani came into
Tafawa Balewa as Muslims and have remained so till date. The Sayawa were originally
pagans until the advent of Christian missionaries in the area. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa,
Nigerian first Prime Minister corroborates this:

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Above all the pagans are very honest people because they do not yet know the modern man's
cunning ways of cheating and deceit these pagans we will take as the original owners of
Hausa land.The Sayawa have also made reference to the presence of their ancient grinding
stone. (Vun tonga) in Tafawa Balewa, which they consider as an "incontrovertible
archaeological evidence". The central evidence presented by the Bauchi Emirate Council for
the historical claim to Tafawa Balewa is that of the establishment of a central authority by
Yakubu I, the first emir of Bauchi, in Tafawa Balewa after subduing the people in the
absence of any central authority.(see the pedigree of Bauchi emirs marked Appendix "A ")
After this, Yakubu was said to have assigned five lieutenants (Hakimai), namely, Galadima,
Ajiya, Sarkin Yaki, Madaki, and Wambai, to supervise the newly created emirate with
headquarters at. Lere district, which included Tafawa Balewa, was assigned to the Ajiya
House and remained under its administration until 1991. There were three administrative
districts in 1997. These included Lere, with headquarters at lafawa Balewa; Bula, with
headquarters at Bununu and Bogpro with headquarters at Bogoro. With this classification,
and according to the 1963 census, the geographical and demographical account of the local
government area can be presented as follows. It is based on these calculations that the Bauchi
Emirate Council came to the following conclusions: First that the whole area presently
known as Tafawa Balewa local government has been under the Bauchi emirate for centuries.
Second, of the three districts in the local government, the Sayawa are dominant only in
Bogoro District. Third, that no Sayawa man ever ruled Tafawa Balewa town as hamlet.
Fourth, that lafawa Balewa is not a Sayawa town. However, Mallam Aliyu, Wullumba, Dadi
(the Dallatun Bauchi,) who is a Sayawa Muslim disagrees. According to him, the area was
z.oned into nine and known as Sayawa land before the migration of some ethnic groups.
Migration therefore created the conditions for the regrouping of villages, which were
renamed by the people of Bauchi. For example, Bogoro was renamed Nwan, l.usa - Dunga,
Sigidi, Tin, Kulung, Bijin, Sur settlements were also merged and called Lere village. A
similar regrouping of settlements was experienced in Jarawa land, which later became Bula
district.

2.4 TYPES OF CONFERENCE CENTERS

Time Savers Standards for Building Types lists the different types of conference centers and
they are classified according to their usage. They include:

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 1. Executive Conference Centre: This is the most typical mid-range facility and it is
oriented towards corporate meetings, including both training and management
Development. It is mainly for corporate meetings. This type of conference center has
a relative large number of conference rooms and moderate recreational facility.
2. The Resort Conference Centre: This type of conference centre has grown as a result
of marketing of its recreational facility. They can have as much as five hundred rooms
in their facility. They have less meeting spaces but more recreational spaces than the
executive conference center. These centers are often joint-venture developments due
to the cost of land and recreational facilities.
3. The Corporate Conference Centre: These are the largest conference centers with as
much as five hundred rooms and more conference spaces than the other type of
Conference centers, because they meet particular training needs. Major corporations like
those in telecommunications, insurance and banking, oil and gas, in their need to train
their staff, patronize this type of conference centre most especially. The recreational
facilities of this conference centre are moderate.
4. The University Conference Centre: This type of conference centre provided by higher
institutions, serves three major needs:
 To cater for executive educational programmes.
 To provide facilities for campus visitors and educational Conferences.
 To provide for continuing educational programmes.

These centers can have as much as two hundred rooms depending on the institution and
provide the same facilities as other conference centers. These centers also serve as a
means for generating funds for the institution when patronized by external individuals and
bodies. This centre serves as a means for bringing in business executives to the
institution.

5. The Non-Residential Conference Center: As the name says, this type of conference
facility does not provide Guest room facility and also does not provide recreational
facilities. These are operated by corporate bodies for low and mid-level training or for
upper level management development. They are usually located near the corporate
headquarters or a site convenient to the training department. Their conference facilities
are also open to the public.

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6. The Non-Profit Conference Centre: Religious groups, educational associations,
foundations, research centers, private humanitarian groups and government bodies may
own the Non-Profit Conference Centre. They are normally located in remote areas having
as much as one hundred rooms. Their recreational facilities are limited. This facility,
reflects the missions of their owners. From the different types of conference centers listed
above, the Conference center Z.D.A. Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi state is purely under the
non-profit conference center

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 CHAPTER THREE

CASE STUDIES

3.1 CASE STUDY ONE

Name: International Conference Center Abuja

Client: Federal Republic of Nigeria

Architect: Julius Berger Nigeria Plc

Construction: Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. Construction work Started October 1990
and finished May 1991.

Location: Plot 908 Tafawa Balewa Way, Garki- Abuja. It is Located directly
behind the Le Meridian Hotel, Abuja and overlooks the Radio House.

Building Form: This impressive building is of a simple rectangular form. It has a

great barrel vault roof, which is its dominant feature and gives the
building its own identity. The new centre is linked to old conference
centre by the Executive hall.

Facilities Provided:

1. Conference facilities: The major conference room, which is the Africa Hall, seats
about three thousand people. There is a projector room with state of the art equipment
and translator booths located just before the gallery. Options that the interior of this
architectural masterpiece may be put to are endless. It can be arranged in a banquet
setting, as an in-door exhibition hall or set for a concert. The entrance lobby also
serves as a multiple purpose space like The Yar'Adua centre. It can seat up to seven
hundred people. The Niger and Benue Halls, which are committee rooms, are located
on the ground floor. They seat about eighty people when arranged in a committee
setting and seat one hundred and fifty people when arranged in a conference
formation. The Executive hall seats four hundred people. These halls are all equipped
with presentation screens, projectors and individual highly sensitive microphones.
2. Bar: The foyer in front of the gallery also functions as a bar. It is semi-circular.

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 3. Reference library: There is a reference library in the Abuja International conference
centre.
4. Lounge: This is provided for the important personalities.

Planning and Circulation: The Abuja international Conference centre covers an area of
about 80000square meter which includes the present conference centre, the old conference
centre and the parking area. The topography is almost flat. As an individual or group of
people coming into the conference centre, the large eave projection at the front facade acts as
a covering for the drop off. On entering this magnificent edifice, an individual is met by the
impressive reception hall, which as earlier said can also be hired out for functions. The
Africa Hall is accessed directly from the reception hall, the same also for the Executive hall
and the Niger and Delta halls. From the Africa hall, there are many exit points, which lead
directly outside the hall. From the reception hall also, you can walk up the staircase to the
gallery. The bar is accessed before the gallery. The administration offices are just directly
before the main auditorium.

The conveniences are located at the reception hall and behind the auditorium. Upstairs at the
gallery, an individual can access the restrooms from the bar. Around the conference centre
are walkways of about 4.5m that are completely shielded by the eaves of the barrel vault,
which are about a meter wider than the eaves. The car park is accessed easily from the
different exit points of the building. The entire building is of double volume. The different
conference halls are double volume while the bar, which is on the upper floor, overlooks the
reception hall. At the same upper floor is located the projector room and translator booths.

Lighting: Like most institutional buildings, there is an inter dependence on natural and
artificial lighting. However, more use is made of the artificial, lights especially in the
conference hall. The Abuja International Conference Centre is well lit both artificially and
naturally. The lights used at the reception hall are broomstick feather-like chandelier using
circular bulbs, hanging straight from the ceiling. The curtain walling at the entrance facade
of the building, brings, in a great amount of light, in to the reception hall. In the committee
rooms and the auditoria, very big thick curtains cover the windows. The Executive hall and
Africa hall use light bulbs as well as fluorescent tubes, which are within the false ceilings.
There are also light bulbs embedded into the columns holding the staircase in place.
Fluorescent bulbs are located underneath the gallery of both the auditorium and the bar.

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Ventilation: The great windows in the conference centre provides for natural ventilation.,
There is however a greater dependence on artificial means of ventilation in the centre using
air conditioners.

Landscape: The surroundings are beautifully landscaped using flowers and large potted
green plants. These plants at the sides of the roads, define the roads and the routes to be
followed by cars. At the drop off, is a fountain, which adds to the breathtaking scenery of the
conference centre. The parking lots provided are adequate and beautified by the plants. Large
umbrella roofs protect the cars in their lots.

Construction: The building was constructed using prefabricated blocks, which are
assembled on site. The massive columns, which run from the ground to the top of the
building, are about 1.2m in diameter and are in-situ. These reinforced concrete columns,
spaced 10m apart, transmit the roof load to the foundations. Granite tiles are used for the
flooring of the reception hall and the bar. Granite is also used for the skirting of these spaces.
In the Executive hall, Africa hall and the committee rooms, rugs on parquet are

used for floor covering to aid the acoustics of the space. The interior walls are of plywood
with treated Formica as a covering. The staircases are finished with terrazzo and have
rectangular steel supports between each flight of stairs. These steel supports acts as both
structural and aesthetic elements. The .core areas, including the emergency staircases, were
constructed from in-situ concrete. The exit doors and windows in the centre are aluminum
glass doors and windows, while the interior doors are solid flush wooden doors. Vertical steel
lattice trusses support the curtain wall at the front facade of the building holding it in place.

The interior of the plenary assembly hall, with a clear span of 50m x 60m, is totally devoid of
columns. The barrel-vaulted shell supporting the roof was assembled in sections on site. The
sections were then mounted by crane. The two-tier roof cladding consists of aluminum lock
welt cladding, a sandwich insulation layer and load bearing steel trapezoidal sheeting.
Metallic trusses support the aluminum barrel roof. The roof is the crowning glory of the
building due to its massive appearance and the chamfered front part of the roof. The external
walls consist of a steel structure and prefabricated trapezoidal cladding installed between the
columns. Prefabricated elements were also used for the curved entrance facade with sun
protective, glazing.

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Merits:

 The centre provides for a very large number of people and the halls and seminar
rooms provide for smaller meetings and gatherings of people.
 The centre provides ample parking lots for the users of the facility.
 There 'is easy access and circulation to the different spaces provided for in the
building.
 There is provision of a V.I.P lounge in the Abuja International conference centre
 The centre located directly behind the Le Meridian makes it possible for
accommodation of individuals, using the facility.
 The provision of a good number of exits allows for easy escape in cases of danger.
 The centre has a good network of roads connecting the car park and the conference
centre.

Demerits:

 There is no provision of support facilities such as shops and business centers.

 There is no presence of raked seating arrangement in the halls except in the gallery;
consequently, good sightlines are not achieved in the halls.
 There is an absence of a clearly defined service entrance into the building.

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3.2 CASE STUDY TWO

Name: National Center for Women Development Abuja

Location: Abuja, Opposite the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria

Client: The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Youth Development

Building Form: The building is almost a square form and quite Compacted like the
Shehu Yar’adua center Abuja. Also all the facilities provided are in the
same building

Landscape: The National Center for Women Development is landscaped with

Beautiful shrubs and flowers.

Lighting: The lighting of the spaces is mainly artificial

Ventilation: The ventilation of building is more of artificial ventilation than the

natural ventilation.

Planning and Circulation: The building is purely symmetrical in nature.

The Center Provides the following:

 1200 sitter auditorium

 300 banquet hall with 2 committee rooms
 65 bed guest house
 A library and documentation center
 100 bed space hostel block
 Restaurants
 Day care Center and Crèche

Merits:

 The auditorium space is naturally ventilated and lit.

 The roof was designed to check acoustic errors.
 The stage – sitting layout relationship is functional.
 Good sightlines were achieved.

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  Large foyer to accommodate the capacity of the auditorium and hall.
 The public spaces have the required facilities and they are easily accessible.
 Circulation within the auditorium is easy and does not need the use of directional aids,
with regards to facilities provided, the center has a wide range of choices to satisfy
guests.

Demerits:

 The available facilities are in separate buildings with no attempt to tie the buildings
up.
 Exits from the auditorium are not sufficient for emergency situations.
 The smaller below the main auditorium are completely dependent on artificial light.

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3.3 CASE STUDY THREE

Name: The Wembley Conference Center London

Client: Wembley Stadium Limited

Architect: R. Seifert and partners.

Construction: Constructed together with the Wembley stadium.

Location: It is located at Empire Way, Wembley, Middlesex, England. It fronts

the Empire way, and is bound by the lakeside way and stadium way.

Building Form: The conference centre is cylindrical in form and Circular in plan,
79.4m in diameter with a low-pitched roof and non-structural concrete
outer wall.

Facilities provided:

i. Conference Facilities: The main auditorium sits up to 2,700 people. Provided also
with the main auditorium are five smaller conference halls and several other smaller
committee Seminar rooms for groups of 12 to 50 people.
ii. Exhibition: The Thames suite contains the exhibition facilities on two floors, the
upper of which has a balcony overlooking much of the lower area and includes a bar.
iii. Hotel: A 330 bedroom hotel is also part of the Wembley conference center to cater
for the accommodation need for both conferees and other individuals.
iv. Storey car park: A multi storey car park for 1400 cars is provided
v. Catering facilities: There are four restaurants in the Wembley centre seating 400
people and a grill for 200 people. There are also private dining facilities including 11
bars provided.

Planning and Circulation: The main entrance and registration area is immediately under the
auditorium and as a ceiling, which slops from a double height area at the doors down 0 only
about 2m at the rear. The auditorium with its stage and 'back stage of facilities occupies more
than half of the building and it is on two floors. The main concourse is wrapped around the
auditorium at first level forming a semi-circular foyer, which can also be adapted, to serve
light refreshment for about a thousand guests. The rows of the auditorium are 1.4 m apart so
23
that people entering or leaving their seats do not disturb others. The Avon suit of the Centre
has two flat theatres each with four interpreters' booth and sharing a control/ projection room
and a small balcony.

Lighting: The main lighting in the auditorium is by tubular fluorescent lamps. Lamps are
shaped to the centre of the auditorium in three concentric horseshoe shapes to follow e profile
of the seats. Down lights recessed into the ceiling, provide safety Ii e heavily modeled front
wall contains concealed luminaries lights downwards, and can be programmed to give
changing patterns. The lighting of the meeting rooms is by 6 mm square surface mounted
luminaries. In the public spaces, corridors e.tc lighting is through recessed down lights of
incandescent lamps.

Ventilation: Ventilation is more artificial than natural. The air conditioning system of the
auditorium is related to the blocks of seating, so it is possible to regulate the environment
according to occupation. This can be carried out automatically by sensors built into each
block of seats, or from the control room.

Landscape: The grounds around the centre are' mostly paved because the conference centre
is also in the same vicinity as the stadium. Few shrubs and grass lawns surround this entire
site.

Construction: The conference centre is one of the buildings that stand on the 30.25 hectares
of land and 'property of the Wembley Stadium limited and the site is almost square. The
conference centre sits on 264 piles whose average length into London clay is 21m. The
auditorium is based on 12 radial raking reinforced concrete beams whose upper. faces are
stepped to form the seating areas. They stretch from a low anchor ring at, the edge of the
stage up to meet the external columns, and then project a further 3.5 m to provide a
cantilevered support for the outer wall. The auditorium roof rests on eight steel trusses, which
span from the proscenium wall to the external columns. The external drum wall of the
building is 180 mm thick In-situ cast concrete with 50 mm deep projecting ribs at 90 mm
centre.

24
Merits:

 The foyer is amply sized, with the walls and ceiling effectively funneling delegates to.
the registration located immediately opposite the entrance doors.
 The main auditorium at Wembley has some interesting ideas. Every delegate can
receive simultaneous translation in up to eight languages without being tied to a seat
with a headset. This is achieved by an inductive loop transmission system where
aerials are run under the seat rows, and delegates are given small radio receivers.
 The main auditorium has raked seating thus achieving good sight lines.
 The conference centre is designed together with a hotel to satisfy the accommodation
needs of conferees and guest.
 The facilities at the Wembley Conference Center are able to cater for a very large
number of guests.

. Demerits:

 There is heavy dependence on artificial lighting and ventilation. Inasmuch as it is

convenient for this country, it is inappropriate for Nigeria where the power supply is
epileptic.

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26
 CHAPTER FOUR

STUDY AREA

4.1 THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Tafawa Balewa shares boundaries with plateau State in the South and Dass Local
Government of Bauchi State in the North. The most prominent natural features in the area
include the massive Mbula rock, and the Gongola River, which together with its numerous
tributaries such as Lere, Maijuju, Jarawa and Bagel Rivers form the main drainage pattern of
the place. Various ethnic groups inhabit the geographical area called Tafawa Balewa. These
include, the sayawa, Hausa-Fulani, Jarawa and Sigidawa. reports that Nine settlements
emerged in the area in the_pre-calomal period where the people settled, the clan settlement
pattern was supposed to have its own grinding place called "Vim Tonga."

4.2 VEGETATION

The vegetation of Bauchi is characterized by a set of open savannah, which is characterized

by tall trees but has greatly due to human negative influence on them most especially farming
and bush burning this has greatly affected the vegetation of the area (metrological
information unit federal secretariat Bauchi, 2006).

4.3 POPULATION

Bauchi town as at 1993 census has a total population of 3 million and above which is
predominately Hausa speaking. The most dominated two religious are Islam and Christianity.
There are many tribes dwelling in Bauchi state because of its heterogeneous nature, such
tribes include Fulani Kanuri, Bulawa etc.

4.4 SITE LOCATION

The site for the proposed ZDA Conference Center is located at Tafawa Balewa Nahuta,
Opposite Watal Hotel, Tafawa Balewa LGA, Bauchi State .

Trade Wind

There are two types of trade wind experienced during the circle of the area these are the south
west wind starts November to March i.e. the period therefore measures are taken into of dry
27
season and cold wind consideration to protect enclosed spaces of the building from the wind
(Department of Meteorological Federal Secretariat Bauchi, 2006).

Temperature

There are two distinct weather that allows drastically drop and rise in temperature in Bauchi
this includes the harmattan period from November to March were the temperature records
between 20-300C daily while from April to October, it rises between 35-400 at its peak
(department of meteorological federal secretariat Bauchi, 2006).

4.5 SITE SELECTION CRITERIA

One of the most important factor considered when putting up a designed proposal for any
project, is the site in which it is located. To enhance the viability of the project the site must
possess a number of qualities that could justify its viability. The criteria laid down for
selecting the site for the project are as follows.

Location

Considering the users of the centre who stay at the community the proximity to residential
area is very important. The site is located away from already developed areas, to avoid the
problems of resettlement.

Accessibility

The site can be reached through the major road from Dass Road which is access is very easily
both which pedestrian.

Electricity Supply: Tafawa Balewa is generally and the site in particular is connected the
National Grid by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and the distribution
electric power to the site is one by means 13KVa tension overhead cables on poles.

4.6 THE PROPOSED SITE

 Site Attributes:
- The site is large in size with high potentials for future expansion.
- It is located near the projected tentative centre, in proximity to residential area and
is along the direction of the city expansion, and can be accessed conveniently.

28
 - The bearing capacity of the soil is considerable.
- The proximity of available public utilities e.g. road. electricity and service for
mobile phone.

4.7 RELIEF

It lies in the crystalline of uplands of northern Nigeria highest upland of crystalline rocks is
located at the northern part and the town is about 1501neters above the see level the is
endowed with hills, rock and arc isolation and at low ranged some of the hills and rocks are
visible such as Warinje to the north-east (Metrological Unit Federal Ministry of Aviation,
2006).

4.8 GEOLOGY

Bauchi town lies on the crystalline uplands of northern Nigeria chaconite and Bauelite of the
micro geology counts of ancient crystalline which comprises of igneous, metamorphic and
sedimentary rocks of old age the rocks are as a result volcanic activity.

4.9 SOILS

The shallow soil type rocks or stone characterized the Bauchi soil type this is due to the
abundance of laterite materials within the area the lower and plan areas made up of clay and
loamy soil type which are very rich.

And productive soil type and so advantageous recreational purpose (Department of

Meteorological Federal Secretariat Bauchi, 2006).

4.10 CLIMATES

The two climate season in Bauchi are dry and wet season the rain period ranges from April or
May to October month of every year, the town lies on the side of the Plateau and as its peak
period. In the month of April, the town experiences hotness of 400C 500C and February as its
coldest month of 6-110C (Department of Meteorological SVCS, Federal Bauchi Secretariat,
2006).

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 CHAPTER FIVE

BRIEF DEVELOPMENT

5.1 DESIGN BRIEF

This project shall be 1500 capacity lecture theatres with provision of some staff offices and
auxiliary facilities.

5.2 PROJECT DISCRIPTION

The proposed 1500 capacity ZDA Conference Center Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi, which shall
comprise the following:

 750 seats capacity Theatre (Twin).

 Two stages.
 Two stage rooms/Control room
 Two projector areas.
 Entrance lobbies
 Exit lobbies
 Staff offices
 Cyber Cafe
 Waiting areas.
 Entrance Porch,
 Female conveniences.
 Male conveniences.
 Stair and ramp ways
 Cars parking lots
 Motorcycle parking
 Generator House.

5.3 DESIGN CONCEPT

The planning concept adopted in this project is easy assembly, evacuation and comfort of all
intended users of the proposed lecture theatre. These are the main factors to be considered
when designing such a project in an environment like this, considering the large number of
patrons to be accommodated in the structure.

30
However, the project has a form concept of a flying Butterfly. It is the desire of every student
to excel in flying colors like a butterfly in his or her academics. This will have a
psychological effect on the students, having the consciousness that taking lectures in the
theatre will engender knowledge which means success for everyone that receive lectures or
sit for examination in the lecture theatre.

5.4 DESIGN REPORTS

5.4.1 Schedule of accommodation

For adequate utilization of spaces it is important to analysis each space. The result of the
space analysis is tabulated below:

SPACE DIMENSION SIZE (M²) NUMBERS

1500 seats capacity Lecture Theatre. 972 1

Stage 5 x10 50.0 2

Stage Rooms 5 x5 25.0 4
Lobbies 5x10 50.0 2
Staff offices 5x9 45.0 18
V I P restaurants 4.8 x 4.0 96.0 1
Cyber Café 8x 12 96.0 1
Waiting areas 6.8 x 10.0 68.0 3
Entrance Porch 17.0 x 5.0 85.0 1
Conveniences 1.2x2.4; 1.5x2.0 2.88; 3.0 20; 18
Maintenance Stores 3x5 15.0 3
Cars parking lots 5x2.5 12.5 50
Motorcycle parking 3 x 1.5 4.5 36
Generator House 12 x 4 48 1

NOTES:

Space allocated per seat - 0.90X0.90= 0.81m²

Angle of vision - 30°

Height of seat riser - 300mm

Convenience ratio - 1:30persons

Parking ratio - 1:20 Cars/Motorcycle

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5.4.2 Foundation

Based on the site analysis, the foundation type suitable for the structure is the combination of
normal and wide strip foundation as the site as a strong bearing capacity.

5.4.3 Floor

Reinforced monolithic over site concrete shall be used with mix ratio 1:2:4, the floor of the
theatre shall be in stepped form as described in the drawings and finished with 1000x 1000 x
25mm terrazzo floor finish laid on 25mm cement sand screed.

5.4.4 Walls

All walls shall be made of 230x230x450mm hollow sand screed blocks laid with mortar mix
ratio 1: 3. With exception of partition walls in the conveniences.

All internal walls except that of conveniences shall be coated with approved colored Marshal
Paints (MC 40-40), while walls of toilets shall be tiled with approved type of tiles on two (2)
layers of plaster mix ratio 1:4.

All external walls shall be finished with approved colored Marshal Paints (MC 50-50) on 2
layers of plaster mix ratio 1:3.

5.4.5 Roof construction

Space frames truss construction made of 750 x 150mm (2nos) galvanized tubular steel
section as top chord (rafters) and bottom chord (tie beams) at 3000mm centers, 75 x 150mm
galvanized steel Z- shape purlins at 900mm spacing and 50 x75mm angle iron brace joined
with gusset plates.

5.4.6 The Ceiling

The type of ceiling to be used in this project is the acoustic suspended ceiling, so as to control
reflection and reverberation (echo).

To achieve a maximum control of sound impact in the theatres, the suspended acoustic
ceiling shall possess the following characteristics:

 Normal thickness of 4mm.

 Size 610 x 610 mm.
 Area coverage per tie 0.35m²- 0.37m².
 Approximate weight 2.20kg.
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  Density 1.35kg/dcm³
 Good insulation in terms of thermal and sound control.
 Non-combustible.
 Good workmanship.
 Aesthetically pleasing.

5.4.7 Doors

The doors of the shall be not less than 1600mm wide so as to allow easy assembly and
evacuation of patrons, the doors shall be door swing paneled doors as describe in the doors
schedules.

5.4.8 Windows

The windows shall be standard profile aluminum projected casement top hung as describe in
the schedule of windows. These large windows will allow for natural lighting and ventilation
for maximum comfort of all patrons.

5.5 BUILDING SERVICES

Provisions of essential building services to make all patrons comfortable in and around the
lecture theatres are taken into considerations.

5.5.1 Water supply

The main water supply source to the building shall be tapped from there by bore hole. The
piping system shall be of high quality, using the Refeng flexible less joint pipe.

There shall be a provision of high quality steel over head tank fixed on metal stand.

5.5.2 Fire service

Hand fire extinguishers and fixed fire fighting equipments are as matter of importance
integrated into the design. Heat and smoke detectors shall be installed at strategic places, so
as to detect cases of fire early and it can still be control. The “halo” fire extinguishing
systems are to be installed to take care of detected fire.

5.5.3 Air conditioning

As matter of necessity, air conditioning units’ outlets shall be provided in the theatres,
offices, restaurants and the cyber café.

33
5.6 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.6.1 Summary

Everything that has a start must have an end. And so the author is closing this research report
after having exhausted his inquires into the style and nature of his subject of study-conference
centre. The design of the conference centre can be seen to have grouped into three integral
parts viz- administration, conference area and the guest house all being complemented by
common support facilities that bound them together i.e. the shops, exhibition and dining
facilities.

Infact, the author followed a concept whereby a single machine performs multi-famous
functions of which the three main functions include:

a. Working in the office (administration unit).

b. Living in the hotel (accommodation unit).
c. Exchanging ideas in the meeting halls (conference area).

5.6.2 Conclusion

Finally, this project achieves its aim and has been completed base on the scope taken. But
however, due to some limitations this project has not reached is peak but will serve as a guide
to other researchers who will embark on similar projects in the future.

5.6.3 Recommendation

Based on the research and findings, the following recommendations are made:

 In terms of construction and materials, the proposed design encourages the use of
dynamic and effective material due to the dynamism in the theatre design.
 All the materials to be used in this project should be of high quality, durable and
should be to standard to meet the basic requirements of the lecture theatre.
 Only qualified persons should be engaged in the implementation of this project.
 In the case of insufficient fund to complete this project at once, the project should be
phased.
 Above all, a copy of this thesis should be kept in the library and department for future
reference.

34
 REFERENCES

Lawson, F. R., “Conference, Convention and Exhibition Facilities- A Handbook of planning,

Design and Management” (1981).

Ecclesiastes 1:9 (1987) “The Holy Bible” (4th), New International Version. The Bible
League.

Encarta Dictionary, Microsoft Encarta Multimedia Standard Edition 2004

Z R Dmochwski, “An Introduction to Nigeria Traditional Architecture. Volume Three-south

Eastern Nigeria”, Ethnographical Ltd 1990.

Conference, International. In Encyclopedia Britannica (Volume six pp 289), William Benton

Publishers (1968) Microsoft Encarta Multimedia 2002 Standard Edition

Cater Wiseman, the Architecture of I. M. Pei, Thames & Hudson Ltd., London 1990

Ham, Roderick, Theatres. Planning Guidance for Design and Adaptation, Butterworth
Architecture, London 1998

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Appendix

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