Architects forum seeks adaptive strategies for professionals in difficult economies

Most economies of the world are passing through difficult times and in Nigeria, the experience is not any better with plummeting oil price, weakening local currency and hyper inflation whose combined effect is pauperizing households, squeezing organizations and crippling professional practice.

When therefore, architects and allied professionals gather in Lagos early next month for the Lagos Architects Forum (LAF) organised by the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Lagos chapter, adaptive strategies for professionals, especially architects, in difficult economies will top discussion.

The forum, already in its eighth edition, generally aims to provide opportunities for participants to meet with various stakeholders in the building and construction industry; establish bilateral ties with companies; showcase their products and services; learn about best practices and update skills in current trends in design, development and construction; understand the current economic climate; discover innovative methods of development, and understand critical issues affecting viable developments.

This year’s edition billed for May 4-7 at the Expo Centre of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, will be highlighting contemporary issues in new business frontiers of architecture including the role of local and international codes, adoption of design build for architectural business options, analysis of pre-design programmes, the economics of developments, international best practices, etc.

At a press conference jointly addressed by Ladipo Lewis, Titi Adeyeye and Samson Akinyosoye, chairman, vice chairman and public relations officer of the institute respectively, explanations were provided on ‘Lagos 7.0—Evolving Architecture’ chosen as the theme of this year’s forum.

“We understand that there is a direction in which Lagos as a city is going and NIA is part of that movement; we are out to raise the bar in Lagos Architecture”, the chairman explained, noting that “75 people come into Lagos every hour and only 30 go back, meaning that the city is going to be a mega city that will require the development of high rise buildings”.

Continuing, the chairman explained that in evolving architecture, the architects aim to build the whole of Lagos, pointing out that the architect has a role to play in containing city challenges such as power supply, fuel scarcity, flooding, security, traffic congestion, etc.

Adeyeye informed that in dealing with this theme, the forum would be looking at how architecture has evolved over the years by promoting green building and showcasing work done by their senior colleagues which have helped to improve Lagos skyline.

“We are out to look at how architects do their work, because to discourage quacks, they must deliver quality to the expectation of their clients”, she said, stressing that “evolving architecture also means looking at new building materials, and we believe that cities have lives of their own which makes them grow and the architect is part of this growth”.

The forum promises fulfilling moments with the keynote address to be delivered by Olisa Agbkoba, a legal luminary and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Other speakers drawn from local and international arenas include Maurice Ngwaba From Maryland, USA, Fred Coker of ACCL, Ekaete Bassey Fujah of ATO, Umaru Karaye and Sola Ige.

According to Akinyosoye, there will be project expositions from PERI Systems and Arbico Projects, plus the ‘Ask the Experts’ session during which members of the public will get explanations on issues bordering on building designs and costs.

CHUKA UROKO