Architects urged to embrace global trends, promote livable environment

As living spaces continue to face multifaceted challenges, Nigerian architects have been called upon to initiate innovative solutions that can fight the climate crisis, improve security and boost communal relations in the country.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Caleb University, Imota Lagos, Prof. Adedeji Daramola, made the call at the 40th anniversary lecture of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) in Lagos. The anniversary featured induction of 50 new fellows, football competition, career talk and others

Daramola, who was the guest speaker, said architects should create seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor areas designed to improve a livable environment.

He said architects must shift focus towards innovative designs, ensuring carbon emission free society, ensuring safe ecosystems, collaborating and lobbying for change, adding that architecture has gone beyond the building industry, to include the concept of governed and ungoverned spaces.

To him, architects must embrace the global focus of architectural trends as defined by the United Nations for 2024, 2030 and 2050 with regards to, where the world is going in the profession.

In a paper entitled: ‘Architects, Architecture and the Unspoken Roles in a Rejuvenating World’, Daramola said practitioners must take the leadership position as initiators of ideas/concepts, cultural consolidators, be modular managers, modifier of the environment for the goodness of human comfort.

“Architects must be catalysts for change and development. For 2024, the global report states that outdoor living areas will gain prominence and everybody designing outdoor recreation areas will find a voice in global rating assessment and proposals between now and 2024. The report says, whatever concept you are embarking on, outdoor, indoor spaces designs will grant you research grants for proposals and global recognition will be granted.

“For 2030, the mission is to see a rapidly transformed building industry regarding greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. For 2050, it identifies that carbon dioxide emissions in the building sector must be eradicated by 2050. By promoting resilience in design communities means every community must be preserved against external attacks.

“Every architectural concept must bear all communities in mind, where there are climatic challenges, design an adaptation. Flooding is a challenge everywhere, International Union of Architects (IUA) emphasised rethinking design resources,” he said.

NIA President, Enyi Ben-Eboh, said the chapter has become the pride of the institute as it has been a trail blazer on several fronts, adding that 40 years of the chapter’s history cannot be written without mentioning the ups and downs it has had in its growth period.

Ben-Eboh commended the current leadership for spearheading the creation of two new branches of the chapter in a bid to bring its activities to the doorstep of members, given the peculiar logistic challenges of the state.

Chairman of the Lagos chapter, David Majekodunmi, acknowledged the critical role of the profession towards adequate housing and sustainable urban development in the lives of the people, especially in Lagos.

Majekodunmi appealed to practitioners to work together towards achieving harmonious cities filled with the promise of a sustainable architectural future. “We are custodians of a sustainable legacy for generations to come. In this age of environmental challenges and societal transformation, architects are at the forefront of pioneering innovative solutions.

“Our designs must be a harmonious blend of aesthetics, functionality and sustainability, ensuring that every building is a testimony to responsible resource usage and environmental stewardship.”

Chairman of the anniversary planning committee, Abiodun Fatuyi, lauded members for commitments to growth of architecture in Lagos, adding that the institute is returning to its pride of place. He said the history of architects in the state is being rewritten with the restoration of the architects’ competence examination that guarantees and reassures that the institute’s new inductees are well grounded.