Nigerian architect Demas Nwoko on his award-winning work: ‘Whatever you build, it should suit your culture’

Paulo Moreira

Demas Nwoko, born in Nigeria in 1935, has been awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale, arguably the world’s most prestigious architecture event. At the Stirling Pavilion in the heart of the Giardini venue, Nwoko generously gave us an interview amid a display of his works.

Nwoko’s multidisciplinary practice includes architecture, sculpture, painting, design and writing. This expanded notion of an “architect” has kept his name off the radar of

Nwoko has always blurred boundaries between industry and craftsmanship, between geographies and creative disciplines, and between people. He has always been sceptical about the way current architecture education and practice leads to the use of standard materials and regulations, which almost define what they can do.

Asked how he felt when he heard he had received the prestigious award, the 87-year-old said he had been “surprised” but pleased that the work had