Crazy, but…
Has it ever occurred to you, that, Face-Me-I-Face-You is really an apartment building, but with poor PR & bad marketing.

I was recently thinking about Face-Me-I-Face-You, and how I haven't seen one in a while.
Yes, they're around, but…

We're tearing them down and replacing them with options that render more people homeless. (Or poorly housed)

So here's a thought:
Face-Me-I-Face-You isn’t the problem, the branding/PR is.

Reason being…
I believe this building type is literally the “vernacular” nigerian housing type that has quietly served generations of urban Nigerians.

It ticks all the right boxes:
✅ Fit for high-density.
✅ Extremely modular (due to its layout that optimizes flexibility and scalability.
✅ Efficient land use.
✅ Affordable for low-to-middle income families.

In fact, I dare say, that if we strip it down to its core intent, it was Nigeria’s most practical housing innovation. A real MVP in solving urban shelter needs.


So what went wrong? Why are we phasing it out?

⚠️ We put profit above people. It quickly became the low-entry, fast ticket to rental income

⚠️ Design negligence. They’re badly built, poorly maintained, and rarely designed with dignity or long-term livability in mind. Owners have refused to introduce upgrades in flexibility or appearance over decades.
… I mean ever seen one & felt impressed?
Instead, users are forced to settle with:
❌️ Lack of proper ventilation
❌️ Over-strained shared amenities
❌️ Too much interactions (lack of privacy)

And worst of all…
⚠️ Lack of disconnect with the aspirations/goals of its users. While this building perfectly fits where its users (low/average/middle-income earners) are, it doesn't accommodate where they hope to be.
It was built to serve where people are (or were), not where they’re going.


That disconnect is why it's design has not evolved to match those life expectations.
Somewhere along the line, Face-Me-I-Face-You stopped being a communal housing model and became a badge of survival.

But what if we changed that? What if we did a brand refresh?

A total PR upgrade, not just with shiny paint, but with reimagined planning and dignified design that reflects the lifestyle goals of the people who live in them.

Let us:
🔁 Keep the modular layout (it works!)
🔁 Retain the affordability (non-negotiable)
➕ Add planned diversity of units
➕ Add modern shared amenities
➕ Rethink access, lighting, privacy
➕ Rebuild with empathy & intentionality

It’s possible to keep accessibility and affordability, while improving dignity and livability.
That’s the future we should build.


But here's the HARD question:
If we rebranded & re-planned Face-Me-I-Face-You with proper architecture, security, privacy, aesthetics, & communal pride…

Would you live in it? Yes or No?
Pray tell.