Theo Lawson, Architect. Works in Lagos, Nigeria. Studied architecture at the Architectural Association School, London between 1978 and 1985, where he experimented with both traditional African and High-tech design styles. Back in Nigeria he studied earth construction techniques culminating in he’s being invited to design and build the Bauchi State Museum in 1987.
In 1990, he set up Total Consult, a design and build practice, and worked on many commercial and residential projects. The firm also grew to become the leader in stage and set design in the 80’s and 90’s and executed many cutting edge product launches and concert sets. In 1998, Theo Lawson teamed up with other designers to form the “C.I.A” (Creative Intelligence Agency) a collaborative to spearhead ideas for Lagos in the Millennium. This led to his conception and the realisation of Freedom Park Lagos; a project involving the rehabilitation of the first colonial prison in Nigeria into Lagos’s most engaging Arts space.
He is passionate about Public, Historical, Art and Cultural Spaces and hopes to participate meaningfully in the redevelopment and rehabilitation of Lagos Island. His other projects that include; The Motherlan’ performance centre, University of Lagos Anniversary Park, Kalakuta Museum, the Kuti Heritage Museum Abeokuta, Family Park and Canopy-walk at the Lekki Conservation Centre, to name a few. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian institute of Architects and on the advisory board of several Arts foundations.
“In the advent of the Covid Pandemic, the original team of the CIA, now registered as The Cultural Intellectual Association, came together to look at the socio-economic and cultural environment post Covid-19. My team is working on ‘The Lagos Spine’; an urban revival scheme.”
