Architects decry foreigners’ incursion into professional practice

THE illegal incursion of foreign architects into the country has continued to be a source of concern to all local architects, plying their trade in Lagos.

The trend, according to them, has led to gradual erosion of area of core practice, revenue and sometimes opportunities that can favorably compete for.

This, and many other reasons, had informed the choice of discourse at this year’s Lagos Architects Forum (LAF) 6.0 – “The Business of Architecture”, which promises to be encompassing of all aspects of architecture.

At a press briefing last week to announce this year’s forum, Chairman Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Mr. Ladipo Lewis, said that although foreign incursion into the built environment, particularly, architecture was not new, the institute would continue to evolve legal means to denounce it, a reason NIA Lagos had chosen to engage professionals under this year four-day forum on the business of architecture.

He said, although, the institute and its members were not opposed to foreign counterparts to come into the country, but whenever such need arises, the government must and all regulatory bodies must ensure that they comply with the rules of practice in Nigeria.

Lewis raised the alarm that, it was really unfortunate that, some renowned architectural firms have secretly cornered jobs in Nigeria without a recourse and respect for the code of practice in the country and Lagos State, in particular.

“Yes, we must encourage knowledge transfer even in architecture but not at the detriment of local professionals. This is one of the reasons we decided to discuss the business of architecture during our forth coming forum.”

On the forum, Lewis said, it had over the years been known as a platform that brings together seasoned professionals, local and international experts in the business of architecture, government agencies and many other stakeholders in a four-day event, where thought provoking sessions about the global trend on the profession, and how it affects each stakeholder and the nation at large, would be exhaustively discussed.

Lewis added that, the event, scheduled between Wednesday, May 9 and Saturday May 122015, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, would provide all participants and partners’ excellent opportunities to meet with the various key players and stakeholders in the Construction Industry.

“The Lagos Architects Forum 2015 will provide a number of unique opportunities for corporate bodies and organizations to promote their products and services that relate to the construction industry. These include product launches, display of products and services, exhibition of architects works, workshops, seminars, advertisement, partnership opportunities, post-conference site tours.”

According to NIA Chairman, LAF 6.0, which is the seventh in series, would provide the participants the opportunity to network with developers, architects and key players in the industry, understand the current economic climate, learn about best practices in sustainable development, get leads to developing quality business models, network with key players in the built environment, position your business for the new wave of development opportunities and technology available, learn from industry experts and case studies, local and international, and discover innovative methods of development within the current economic climates.