INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of study
Architecture is the practice of
building design and its resulting products; customary usage refers to those
designs that are customarily significant.
Architecture
is to building as literature is to the printed word. More prosaically, one
would say today that architecture must satisfy its intended uses, must
technically be sound and must convey aesthetic meaning. But the best buildings
are often so well-constructed that they outlast their original use. They then
survive not only as beautiful objects but as documents of the history of
cultures, achievements in architecture that testify to the nature of the
society that produced them. Architecture form is inevitably influenced by the
technologies applied, but building technology is conservative and knowledge about it cumulative. These
achievements are never wholly the work of individuals. Architecture is a social
art.
In
Nigeria, The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), established in 1960, made
up of professional architects, is an institution with the objective of
promoting the practice of the profession of Architecture in Nigeria. The NIA
has in each state of Nigeria a chapter with the aim and objective of setting
recommendable standards of architecture, as well as maintaining those
standards.
By
April 2005, it had over 4000 members in 32 state chapters. It is a
non-governmental organization, but performs some statutory functions on behalf
of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and cooperates with
governmental and non-governmental agencies and institutions.
As
in every state in Nigeria, there is a chapter of the Nigerian Institute of
Architects in Enugu state, which is called the Enugu state chapter of the
Nigerian Institute of Architects. The Enugu state chapter of the NIA monitors
the practice of the profession of architecture on a regional basis in Enugu state.
It serves as an embassy for all individuals practicing the profession of
architecture. Most times, the Enugu state chapter of the NIA in collaboration
with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria conducts examinations and
may call to arbitrate in cases of dispute on liability.
1.2 Statement of problem
Due
to the fact that the Enugu state chapter of the N.I.A has no standard structure
which will efficiently aid the architectural body properly organize the
practice of the profession in the state, there is need for a building complex
which will fully aid the Enugu state chapter of the professional architectural
body (The Nigerian Institute of Architects) carry out its mandated obligations
such as the mobilization of informal members for quality services and
maintenance of the good standards already set.
1.3 Aims
The major aim of this project is to
produce a design proposal which is a regional secretariat building for the NIA
in Enugu state. This in turn will promote the social image of the NIA in the
community, which will concurrently give the profession of architecture in the
state a prestigious social status.
1.4 Objectives
The
objectives are as follows:
-
Assessing
the nature of architecture in the community.
-
Determining
the socio-economic implication of the already available architecture in the
community.
-
Designing
a secretariat building which will comfortably be functional and aesthetically
appealing.
-
To
produce a masterpiece as a design for practicing architects within the
community.
-
To
protect the rich cultural heritage of Enugu state and Nigeria as a whole.
-
To
serve and aid in making the state a tourist center
1.5 Motivations for the
project
This project topic has its genesis in
my desire to do an intensive, demanding but rewarding topic for the thesis
project.
Due
to the emergence of Arc. E.C. Chukwuka as the president of the Nigerian
Institute of Architects, there has been a lot of reforms in the NIA. This in turn,
from the national headquarters has had a couple of chain reactions in the
various 36 chapters all around the nation.
Basically,
due to the fact that the Enugu state chapter of the NIA has no secretariat
building designed and erected specifically for the soul purpose of its own, I
found it necessary for the chapter to have a building of its own, for its
private purposes, such as it annual general meetings, executive committee
meetings, November-lectures, archi-wives meetings, professional practice examinations
and other social activities. There is need for a secretariat building for the
Enugu state chapter of the NIA, for the setting and maintenance of the standard
of architecture in the community. The architecture of a community, defines its
level of civilization.
1.6 Scope of project
A regional secretariat building for
the NIA is a focal point for the profession of architecture in the state which
it is found. It should be a building where architectural activities such as
executive committee meetings, annual meetings, November-lectures, archi-wives
meetings, dinners, professional practice examinations and other social
activities will be held. It would also serve as recreational center, whereby
architects or regular individuals could go to and relax their minds. The space
analysis which were obtained from a case study of the Royal Institute of
British Architects (a professional body of architects in the United Kingdom).
The RIBA is the biggest and oldest architectural body formally setup in the
world with the best knowledge and experience in the field of architecture. The
spaces are as follows, a large library, exhibition galleries, a large
architectural bookshop, a café, a restaurant, lecture theatres and various
other rooms hired out for events.
1.7 Limitations of the study
encountered
-
Scarcity
of materials on the chosen thesis topic
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