Project Abstract

                        ABSTRACT 

The positive impacts of Information Communication Technology (ICT) on the professional services of the main actors in the construction industry cannot be over-emphasized. The future and development of a good architectural master piece depends on decisions made on several levels and by different professionals in the industry. The paper conducted a survey of the impacts of ICT on architectural practice in Nigeria. It also provides an insight into the current usage of ICT in some architectural firms. The data for the study was derived from both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The quantitative method utilized a structured questionnaire survey while the qualitative method was through interview. Findings however revealed that the core architectural function has been largely computerized while data and document management are gradually being computerized. It also shows that a higher percentage of the respondents are aware and do make use of the ICT gadgets available at their disposal. The paper concluded that effective communication with a good managerial skills and mastering ICT is needed for a contemporary architectural practice in Nigeria. 

Keywords Information Communication Technology, Architectural Practice, Nigeria.

Project Overview

The architect is defined in the British Standard Institution Glossary (1993) as the ‘person who designs buildings and super intends the execution of building works’. This reflects a simplistic view of the role of the architect. However, the role expands to involve not only technical activities but other areas of competency including organizational politics, business strategy, consulting and leadership, and technology. The architects have been chosen in particular as they play a key role in the design process and have a wide responsibility of the design and building. The architects have traditionally specialized on several domain areas of knowledge. Such areas have been urban planning, project planning, office planning, public buildings, housing and during the recent years also information technology related issues, such as integrated design data management, 3Dvisualization and building information modeling (Penttila, 2006).

Architecture is concerned with the designing of buildings and spaces. It is one of the professions that are very well founded in the construction industry in the UK as an example, since the early 19th century (Huru, 1992). Architecture has been described as the ‘mother profession’ and is best known in the family of design professions, it is worth of studying as it is probably the oldest established design profession and performs as a model for design in other professions (Schön, 1983). The architect was traditionally the master builder and the presence of architects, as has been documented, goes back to the third millennium before Christ; graphic conventions of architectural practice appeared even earlier (Kostof, 1977). The architect was in charge of the project from the early days of conception to the very last day of execution and was accountable in case of failure. The role of the architect turned out to be directed on the general concept of structures and managing the relationship between the client and contractor, who builds the building (Lewis, 1998). Furthermore, the boundaries of architecture are constantly shifting and there are many variations among architectural practices (Schön, 1983).

The architectural and designing working methods have changed drastically during the last few decades caused by CAD, design integration, project document management, collaborative team-work through the web and email (Kalay 2004). Design communication is currently considered to be an inevitable skill sector of a modern architect. The changes within the architectural profession and even more so in the construction process have recently been particularly economical. According to Penttila (2006), design guidelines, formal contracts and assignments with the clients are currently rather demanding in contemporary practice. The changes in architectural profession have concerned very profoundly the tools which architects use and also the working methods. CAD-systems have become the main tool for the architects during the 1990's and working without CAD is hardly possible any more. Product data modelling or Building Information Modelling (BIM) has also been developed to be an integrated future framework for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) field information management.

The architectural profession revolves round building design, project management, construction and consultancy. In order to manage a construction project properly, accurate and up-to-date information is required at all times so that no delays and failures can be encountered. Hence, all project participants must be up to speed with the changes that are happening within the project (Aigbavboa et al, 2013). According to Lang et al., (2005) traditional boundaries between different professions have been crossed as new needs and technologies emerged. In addition, professional identities and established work procedures are being challenged as a result of introducing innovative information and communication technologies (Eriksson-Zetterquist et al., 2009).

Communication is the activity of conveying information through the exchange of ideas, feelings, intentions, attitudes, expectations, perceptions or commands. Communication in architectural practice helps the architect to better understand the client and other professionals in the building industry as well as to build trust; respect and create environments where creative ideas, problem solving, affection and caring can flourish. The professional service of the architects requires effective communication from the inception (brief) to the completion (handing over) of the structure. Also, there is need for effective communication between the client and the architect throughout the construction process. For communication to be effective, it requires a sender, a medium and a recipient.

The brief which represents the requirement of the client serves as the medium of communication between the client and the architect. The brief represents the client’s mind, taste and intention concerning the proposed structure.

The client appoints a suitable contractor for the construction project after a tendering process. The tendering process serves as the medium of communication between the client and the contractors before the award of the contract to the successful contractor while the contract documents serve as the medium of communication between the client and the successful contractor after the award of the contract.

Due to the hierarchal and fragmented nature of construction works, a close coordination among a large number of specialized but interdependent organizations and individuals to achieve the cost, time and quality of goals of a construction project is required (Toole, 2003). In Nigeria, majority of construction information exchange are still based on traditional means of communication such as face-to-face meetings (site meetings) and the exchange of paper documents (Working Drawings, Architect’s certificate, Architect’s instruction, Specifications etc.) This slow pace of adapting to change is one of the reasons while the construction industry has for many years suffered from the difficult-to-access, out-of-date and incomplete information (Shoesmith, 1995).

This study is therefore a survey of the impacts of Information Communication Technology on architectural practice in Nigeria. Against this backdrop, this paper presents an empirical analysis of the impact the adaption and use of ICT has had on the professional responsibilities of the Nigerian architects. The specific objectives of the study are: to determine the level of compliance with ICT; to identify the factors that determine the use of ICT by the architects; to identify the benefits of ICT; and to determine the commonly used ICT tools among the architects. The paper starts in the next section with a review of some theoretical background. Then it explains the research setting and methods of data collection and analysis before conclusions were drawn and recommendations made.