Tosin Oshinowo grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, before studying architecture in London. She founded an architectural firm, CM Design Atelier, and a lifestyle brand, Ile-ila, in 2012. Oshinowo refers to her design ethos as Afro Minimalism. Here are five things to learn from a thoughtful and trailblazing designer.
“Associate your aesthetic with your identity”
Oshinowo told Interior Design that she is “a child of modernism”. Modernism birthed minimalism, which is “very clean”, “very plain”, “very simple”. Oshinowo came up with the term Afro Minimalism because she believes “it’s important to associate your aesthetic with your identity. In my case, I’m very conscious that I localise my design.” Oshinowo is conscious of her context and use of space, bringing us to the next lesson.
Be aware of reality
Oshinowo says a designer must be aware of the reality: the reality of available materials, a country’s maintenance culture, and the infrastructure that surrounds you. In Nigeria, Oshinowo says, “if you design a building, you have to think very consciously about passive infrastructure: generators, solar panels, water treatment plants.” In the west or global north, these things are less of a concern, but in Nigeria, “you don’t design things that will require high maintenance” but rather “create a mini island for yourself in every single project.” She told Elle Decor, “What makes our practice interesting is that we work within our context and try to find solutions that are available locally. It’s about innovation and using materials in an intelligent way.”
Maximise natural light
A couple on Banana Island in Lagos hired Oshinowo for her first full-time residential project. The husband told Elle Decor, “Natural light was very important to us. We wanted lighting that was not usual—a minimalist, contemporary type of lighting”. Oshinowo designed the house in a ‘T’ shape, with two upper floors sheltering a pool and garage. Oshinowo maximised the ample light from the southwest, and made sure with “very detailed calculations” that the exterior screens wouldn’t block natural light, while still providing privacy. The focus on light led to the name Lantern House. Photographs published in Madame Architect show an elegant, winding staircase, and in one room, a sleek and modern door, matching the brown and grey palette. Modern internal doors are available in a range of materials and styles, including white oak and clear glaze finished doors.
Be functional
Lantern House includes a study (important for the client who works from home half the time) and primary spaces with duplicates for private use only. Oshinowo told Elle Decor, “Nigerian homes have a very clear separation between public and private. The ground floor is for entertaining, and the private spaces remain very private.” The kitchen, for example, includes a more “secret” cooking space for more involved meals, and certain rooms are hidden from view: a utility room, massage parlour, and hair salon.
Apprentice first
Before starting her own practice, Oshinowo worked at practices as an apprentice. She told Madame Architect, “The process of practice needs to be learned on the job, and your value system in terms of design can also be refined through apprenticeship.”