Climate Change, Use of Cheap Materials, Technology Key Challenges of Architects
Major challenges retarding the growth and development of architecture profession have been identified to include; climate change, shortage of qualified personnel, use of local building materials and affordable technology.
Arc. Mike Nwafor, a keynote speaker at a two-day workshop by the Nigerian Institute of Architects at Chikotel Classique Hotel Awka, the capital of Anambra state, identified these.
He said most problems bedevilling Anambra State and the country could be solved through the leadership qualities inherent in professionals in architecture.
Speaking on the theme of the event: “Architectural Practice in Nigeria; Challenges and Future Possibilities, he expressed that architects in Nigeria are faced with rigorous challenges which militate against the supposed impact of the profession in the country.
While he mentioned climate change, shortage of qualified personnel, use of local building materials and affordable technology, as some of the key challenges of the profession in Nigeria, he listed that skills in graphic designing, drone aided projects, effective communication and expertise in real estate could enable an architect expand his career path in the technology driven world.
Nwafor also noted that architects could venture into estate developments and explore various business models, noting that the architect is created to rule his world and that all that is needed is for the architect to reach out, subdue and conquer his world with innovative ideas and architectural inventions.
Earlier in his welcome remark, the chairman Nigerian Institute of Architects, Anambra state chapter Arch. Osita Okafor, said the conference was to enlighten young professionals in the field to imbibe techniques of harnessing the potentials of the profession for survival in the COVID-19 induced hardship in the country and world at large.
