Architects Blame Building Collapse On Failure To Employ Architecture

By Steve Oni, Ilorin

Various forms of building and environmental failure, most especially building collapse in Nigeria, have been attributed, largely, to failure to employ architecture and architects in society’s development.

Addressing journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, on Tuesday, on the occasion of the 2018 World Architecture Day and 4th Architecture Week Celebration, the Kwara state Chapter Chairman, Arc. Adekunle Adeyemo, said building collapse with its attendant loss of lives and property is most popular not only because of the possible fatalities but also because there are others with resultant losses.

He said: “Some buildings may not collapse but fail structurally and require remedial works that are a huge economic drain.

“Other types of design failures related to ventilation, lighting, services, and circulation cost a fortune to remedy. The risk of such failures diminish greatly when an Architect is on board the project.”

Adeyemo, who advocated a prime place for architecture in order to create a much better country and world at large, stressed the need for the employment of more Architects at the three tiers of government in Nigeria, lamenting that many Architectural services departments, Planning and Development Control offices are short of Architectural staff.

Stressing that the need exists in Kwara state, he maintained that there are many Architect that are capable of producing great buildings in Nigeria, hence the need to engage Architects for all building projects, both public and private. The benefits of doing so, he stressed, far outweighs the cost.

He said: “The Nigerian Architects, being more familiar with the cultural, climatic, social and physical settings, is more suited to deliver responsive design solutions hence all projects in the nation should have Nigerian Architects.

“Moreover, not doing this is contrary to the Architect’s Registration Council of Nigeria Act of 1969. The many notable buildings designed by Nigerian Architects bear testimony to this.

“Beyond identity, Architecture creates a better world by making the environment aesthetically pleasing, thus making the world beautiful, giving pleasure and often conveying specific meanings encoded by the Architect. For instance, Architecture helps to create a better world by creating appropriate meaning conveying environments for the worship of our Creator regardless of our religious persuasion. Research has shown that Architecture plays a very important role in healing through the design of hospital environments.”