The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Lagos Chapter has pledged to deepen digital transformation through architectural designs and ensure a sustainable building sector.

The institute is also advocating equal access to public buildings such as hospitals, churches, government offices, and event halls through architectural designs that cater for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Addressing journalists ahead of its yearly Lagos Architects Forum (LAF 16.0), the Chairman of the Lagos Chapter, Biodun Fatunyi, acknowledged that governments across the world are inculcating digital processes in the areas of transportation, approval processes, and housing sector, and there was the need for architects to explore sustainable design that will engender smarter development in cities such as Lagos.

He disclosed that the chapter has been at the forefront of informing the government about modern trends in housing design, construction and professional policies that can help the state progress and become more prosperous.

Fatunyi said the forum, which will be held this week in Lagos will gather all allied professionals in the building sector to brainstorm on the theme: “Digital transformation in Architecture-Building Smarter Cities”. He added that prominent speakers from the government and its agencies, the housing sector, partners at home and beyond are expected.

“We are advocating the need for Nigerians to appreciate the role of an architect in the society. Every building must have an architect, and if you do not involve an architect in your building process from the beginning, it’s like a disaster waiting to happen.

“We are creating more chapters of NIA in the state to extend advocacy and reach out to the people in a language that they will understand so that everyone will feel the impact and have access to architects,” Fatunyi said.

He further said that architects can be more responsive to the environment by using locally sourced materials that would be affordable and usable, conserve energy, save cost, make the air fresher, and a design that allows for daylighting and cross ventilation.

Vice Chairman of the chapter/Chairman planning committee for the forum, Moniba Odunlami, said the chapter at the forum plans to introduce student competition among higher institutions offering architecture including the University of Lagos, Yaba College of Technology, Anchor University, Caleb University and LASUTECH.

According to her, the aim was to create more awareness about architecture, adding that the forum would create more ideas, and innovation that would make Lagos smarter.

Also speaking, the chapter’s Public Relations Officer, Dejoke Amusat, said there will be displays of latest innovations in the housing sector, especially architectural designs.