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Motherland Museum
Motherland Museum/Third Eye Museum
The Motherland Museum (also known as the Third Eye Museum ) represents the culmination of a centuries-long struggle to recognize the cultural and historical significance of the Igbo community within Nigeria and Africa at large. The museum’s design reimagines the ancient Nsude Pyramids of the Igbo people structures contemporaneous with the early Egyptian mastabas (bench-shaped tombs of kings). These step pyramids, like those built under King Djoser’s architect Imhotep, inspire the museum’s architectural form, symbolizing a revival of Igbo heritage in a modern context.
The museum serves as a dynamic civic institution, housing exhibition galleries, administrative spaces, a theater, and collection storage areas, among other facilities. It seeks to redefine Nigeria’s cultural narrative by unifying diverse artistic traditions—including Igbo Ukwu Art, Nok Art, Ife Art, and ancient Benin Art—under one roof, fostering national unity through shared heritage.
Architectural Design & Symbolism
The building is enveloped in an ornamental glass-coated aluminum lattice, evoking the traditional Igbo craft of basket-weaving (Nkata). This lattice serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, modulating sunlight and transparency while paying homage to Igbo craftsmanship.
The northeast entrance features two motorways encircling an external monument and a central water fountain. A projected porch extends into the landscape, creating an outdoor transitional space that bridges interior and exterior. The porch’s underside is designed as a tilted sinkhole, reflecting the dynamism of traditional Igbo life. This covered area generates a microclimate, combining natural breezes with cooling waters to offer respite during the harsh Harmattan season.
An outdoor patio, accessible from the ground floor, draws inspiration from Mount Kilimanjaro and the landscapes of Upper and Lower Egypt, adorned with pigmentation and symbols from the ancient Igbo script, Nsibidi. The northwest entry is marked by a 25-meter obelisk at the center of a labyrinthine cycle, inviting contemplation.
Interior Experience
Inside, visitors embark on a historical and emotional journey through expansive, column-free spaces bathed in natural light. The material palette—featuring pre-cast concrete, timber, and glazed skin set within a bronze-coated aluminum lattice—enhances the sensory experience. Below ground, a double-height history gallery and memorial space (the “Oculus”) employ light diffused by water to create a solemn, monumental atmosphere.
As visitors ascend, the corona walkway offers panoramic views of the surrounding greenery, Lake Nike, and the Monument Grounds, reinforcing the museum’s connection to its environment.
Economic & Cultural Impact
With a proposed budget of […], the New Pyramid Museum positions Enugu State as a hub for arts, sports, and high-profile cultural events, boosting tourism and commerce.
Project Specifications:
Total covered area: 2,500 sqm
Ancillary spaces: 500–900 sqm
The Cage / Igbo Hall
Adjacent to the museum, The Cage (or Igbo Hall) is a mixed-use complex featuring:
A cinema
A curated bookshop
Restaurants and cafés
A spa
A rooftop bar
Underground Car park
Situated along an enhanced lakeside promenade within the Black House Museum compound, the site integrates undulating landscaping to create an inviting and dynamic visitor experience.
