The creative industry as an integral part of promoting the dynamics of Lagos megacity is being felt, currently, in Europe. Installation on Lagos markets by architect Tosin Oshinowo, showing at the Venice Architecture Biennale, in Italy has been celebrated, writes Edozie Udeze.
The installation titled Alternative Urbanism: The Self-Organized Markets of Lagos, by Tosin Oshinowo, interestingly has won award as one of two Special Mentions, alongside Elephant Chapel by Boonserm Premthada. According to the theme, the installation showing till November 23, 2025, inside Corderie, Arsenale of the Venice Architecture Biennale, explores and celebrates market formats, operating as factories processing ‘waste’ or ‘end-of-life’ items from the global north and showcases the inherent and ingenious circularity. Curated by Carlo Ratti, the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale is themed ‘Intelligence – Natural Artificial Collective’.
Speaking on her award winning installation, Oshinowo recalled that its inspiration is over two twenty years old, from a visiting architecture professor to Lagos. In a tribute, as part of the exhibition, Oshinowo narrated how visiting Rem Koolhaas, Professor and Founder of OMA inspired her Alternative Urbanism: The Self-Organized Markets of Lagos. “In 2001, as a young architecture student, I came across his Harvard Cities project covering Lagos. This was the first time I had seen my city viewed through this lens, and I have remained spellbound. In the lead-up to this exhibition, we had many conversations concerning this work, and I am deeply honoured to have his essay contribution to the project.” That experience was likened to a seed that germinated fruits that keep “changing our perspectives on how we think and design our cities for the future.”
The installation explores and celebrates market formats, operating as factories processing ‘waste’ or ‘end-of-life’ items from the global north and showcases the inherent and ingenious circularity. In her curatorial note Oshinowo stated that the three markets captured in the installation include Ladipo Market, Mushin; Computer Village, in Ikeja; and Katangua, Agege. “Ladipo Market specialises in second-hand cars and parts; Computer Village in new and used computers and electronics; and Katangua in second-hand clothing and shoes. All three resonate with communal intelligence, highlighting their alternative urbanism that contributes sparingly to global carbon emissions and brings genuine circularity to bear on everyday consumerism.”
Her thoughts on circularity led to research of the uniqueness of the Lagos markets. Oshinowo noted that Lagos markets boasts of “an industry that repairs, recycles andconsumer necessities to an extraordinary level.”
The Venice Architecture Biennale jury disclosed how the installation deserved the Special Mention award: “Tosin Oshinowo’s Alternative Urbanism: The Self-Organized Markets of Lagos offers a glimpse to markets of processing waste of industrialized economy,” the Jury stated in a motivation speech that produced the award. “The documentation is a promising initiative for further research and knowledge production about markets in Africa and the importance of markets as prototypes for innovation. These markets are keynotes in a robust ecosystem that merits study because of its adaptive circularity.”
The description of the installation disclosed details such as being 3-meter-high and 3-meter-wide walls to create a sense of enclosure. And from the inner walls are immersive videos that project each market. Also, the outer sides of the walls, have data and three maps, crafted in Kantangua market from recycled denim, depicting each location. The maps illustrate the different zones that shape the marketplace, the essential elements supporting their functions, and the movement of people and goods through the space.
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Supporters and sponsors of the installation that include corporate groups and individuals are based in Nigeria. The list include A.G. Leventis Foundation, Kavita Chellaram/Ko Gallery, Tafeta Gallery, OAB Foundation, CAP PLC Nigeria, Iron Capital, Sencillo Lagos, Yvonne Fasinro, Lekan Akinyanmi, Niyi Adenubi and Victor Ehikhamenor as supporters and sponsors. Others include Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria; Office of the Special Adviser eGIS & Urban Development, Lagos State; and Harvard University, Loeb Fellowship, Graduate School of Design. Others include Andrew Eseibo, Amanda Iheme, Olanrewaju Ali and Nengii Nelson.
Oshinowo Studio is founded in Nigeria in 2013, and now boasts of an extensive international portfolio which includes housing, culture and large-scale humanitarian projects. The studio’s ethos is rooted in the intersection of human-centred design, culture and climate. Established in West Africa and shaped by Yoruba culture, Oshinowo’s perspective on design calibrates regional approaches to global social and environmental challenges.
Oshinowo Studio is a member of the Royal Institute of British. The founder is a 2025 Harvard University Loeb Fellow and the curator of the 2023 Sharjah Architecture Triennial.