William John Gilbert Godwin OBE (17 June 1928 – 12 February 2023) and Gillian Hopwood (27 June 1927 – 6 November 2025) were British architects, based in Nigeria.

History John Godwin was born in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, England on 17 June 1928. Gillian Hopwood was born in Rochdale, England on 27 June 1927. They both studied architecture at the Architectural Association in London, both qualifying in 1950. John came to Nigeria with his wife, Gillian in 1954, residing in colonial Lagos, British Nigeria. They began their careers in architecture and were involved in designing many significant projects in the city. John also established an academic career as a Professor of Architecture at the University of Lagos. Although he collaborated with his wife on many projects, Gillian focused in historic preservation and architectural photography and documented several iconic buildings which existed in colonial Lagos (some of which have been demolished). They established their architectural firm named Godwin and Hopwood Architects in 1954. The firm’s name was later changed to Godwin Hopwood Kuye (GHK) Architects Limited in 1989. The couple became Nigerian citizens in 2013 after spending about 60 years living and practising as architects in Nigeria.

Godwin died on 12 February 2023, at the age of 94. Hopwood died on 6 November 2025, at the age 98.

Career and Life Timeline + TimelinesS/N Career Level Institution Year John Godwin 1 Professional Training Architectural Association School 1945 - 1950 2 Associate Royal Institute of British Architects 1950 3 Fellow Royal Institute of British Architect 1963 4 Member Nigerian Institute of Architects 1969 5 Fellow Nigerian Institute of Architects 1980 6 Associate Chartered Institute of Arbitrators 1963 7 Principal Godwin and Hopwood 1955 8 Associate Frank Mbanefo and Associates 1964 9 Consultant Godwin and Hopwood, London 1988 10 Principal Godwin Hopwood Kuye 1989 Gillian Hopwood 1 Professional Training Architectural Association School 1945 - 1950 2 Associate Royal Institute of British Architects 1950 3 Fellow Royal Institute of British Architect 1963 4 Member Nigerian Institute of Architects 1969 5 Fellow Nigerian Institute of Architects 1980 6 Associate Chartered Institute of Arbitrators 1964 7 Principal Godwin and Hopwood 1955 9 Consultant Godwin and Hopwood, London 1988 -2003 10 Principal Godwin Hopwood Kuye 1989 11 Director Godwin Hopwood Kuye 2000 12 National President Soroptimist international of Nigeria 1990 13 Committee member NIA Finance Committee 1998 14 President Nigerian Britain Association 2003

Awards and Honours S/N Award/Honours Year 1 Leverhulme Scholar 1945 2 RIBA Henry Jervis Scholar 1948 3 Bratt Colbran Scholar 1950 4 Societe des Architects Diplome parle Government Metalist 1950 5 NIA Foundation Lecturer 1988 6 NIA Gold Merit Award 1997 7 Officer of the British Empire 1975 8 Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2002

Projects

Allen and Hanbury House, Lagos 1956 WAEC building, Yaba, Lagos Bookshop House, Lagos Niger House, Lagos Nestle Nigeria Plc Water Plant, Lagos. Faculty of Sciences building, University of Lagos GlaxoSmith Headquarters building, Lagos. Boyle street residential building, Lagos. Bishop Court Building, Ikeja, Lagos UBA Tower, Chief Osula Building, Benin Agbara Estate Town Centre Phase 1, 1983

Published works

The Architecture of Demas Nwoko. Published by Farafina in 2007

See also List of Nigerian architects

References

External links