The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Lagos State Chapter has announced plans to re-invent architectural designs and practices with its ninth edition of the Lagos architects’ forum set for May.
Subtitled:”Lagos 8.0 – An Architectural Autopoiesis,” the annual event aimed at showcasing cutting edge innovations and designs in the field of architecture has its 2017 edition scheduled between 10-13th May, 2017 in Lagos.
At a media briefing in Lagos, the Chairman, NIA, Lagos State Chapter, Arc. Fitzgerald Umah said, the theme of the conference was specifically targeted at renewing the processes and systems in which activities at the built environment are being conducted to match the present-day realities.
“Sessions will highlight such contemporary issues as regeneration of architectural designs and practices in view of the current economic recession; urban regeneration, renewal and new opportunities; incessant building collapse and new ideas for building materials technology; and building products’ exhibition among other critical areas of concern,” he pointed out.
Umah said the institute was ready to complement the current Lagos State administration’s effort on infrastructural development.
“With what Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is doing along Lekki axis in taking away the roundabouts, as well as his works in Maryland and other areas in the state, it shows clearly that he has a focus for infrastructural development. And we are ready to contribute our quota to that, hence the need for a forum such as this,” he said.
Also, the General Secretary, NIA, Lagos, Arc. Samson Akinyosoye said the institute has recorded some achievements on the issue of building collapse and that the architects’ forum would be able release a document to address the challenge at the end of the conference.
“In Lagos, NIA has been the focal point of recommending solutions to address building collapse and since the past nine years when the forum started, NIA, through the forum has positively impacted the nation’s building and construction industry.” Akinyosoye reiterated.
In her remarks, while doing an exposéon the conference theme, the Chairman, Education Committee, NIA, Arc. (Mrs.) Ibitola Okuboyejo explained that the term ‘Autopoiesis’ was akin to an Amoeba’s narrative – the ability of an organism to recreate itself. “Therefore, with that, we are planning to reorganized and reinvent building practice in the country.
“More so, we are working out a symbiotic relationship with other stakeholders in the building industry to address sundry challenges in the built environment,” she said.
Reacting to a question on the huge amount of fortunes architectural professionals are loosing to the menace of quacks’ incursion, the Honorary General Secretary of the institute, Arc. (Mrs.) Abimbola Ajayi outrightly condemned the high patronage of unqualified professionals, saying it is criminal and punishable under the law, warning subscribers to such quacks’ services to desist or else have their fingers burnt.
“Those engaging non-professionals would have to pay for it at the end of the day. The mere fact that people can razzle clients with AUTO-CAD and engineering drawings doesn’t make anybody an architect. They’re only performing an illegal act.
“When an architect makes mistake, it’s fully blown-out, because lives are always involved and if people think they can pay peanuts to non-professionals, that could also cost them so much at the end of the wishy-washy job. So, whose fault would that be?” Ajayi queried, saying the issue would be properly addressed during the architects’ forum.
However, the Media Officer of the Lagos Chapter of the institute, Arc. Abiodun Fatuyi disclosed in an official release that keynote speakers at the 3-day event will include Arc. Theo Lawson, Mario Bolton, Aramide Françoise Akinoso, Joe Addo (Ghana) and Bishop Mathew Kukah among a host of other notable local and international speakers.
