publications

This study investigates the role and value of precedent analysis in the architectural design process of Nigerian universities. While precedent studies are a mandatory component of the studio method employed in design pedagogy, research into their effectiveness and application remains limited. This research examines how design mentors perceive the value of precedent studies in the design process, expectations from student case studies, and current practices across Nigerian architecture schools.

Public spaces are major subsets of an anthropological settlement, which provide vistas for social interaction, cultural transmission, and economic enterprise. In Nigeria’s rapid infrastructural development, the planning of public spaces seems to overlook the various needs of the communities that will use such spaces. This study focuses on communities’ involvement in the birthing of public spaces through participatory design in Nigeria. It focuses on how these participatory processes can influence the urban landscape towards creating a more inclusive, culturally sensitive, and ecologically sound human habitat.

Container housing has emerged as a viable alternative in modern construction, offering a cost-effective and sustainable solution to address housing shortages and urbanisation challenges. This research explores the construction mechanisms involved in container housing, focusing on how shipping containers can be adapted as habitable spaces. The study analyzes four case studies: the Proposed Tech Hub at Heliu Health and Tourism District in Enugu, Nigeria; Container City in London, UK; Container House by Plannea Arquitectura in Chile; and KODA by Kodasema in Estonia. Each case demonstrates unique design elements, construction techniques, and modifications specific to local environmental and regulatory contexts.

Inclusive Design (ID) is a paradigm that is hinged on the basic need to accommodate the variegated needs of all individuals, irrespective of their age, ability, and social and financial status as they interact with a livable space. As urbanization accelerates across our clime, the need for accessible, equitable, and user-centred spaces has become increasingly crucial. Even though the Nigerian built space is making concerted efforts to latch into the philosophy of Inclusive Design (ID), there are still observable shortfalls in the adoption of associated inclusivity strategies in its housing development schemes.

School grounds serve as vital learning and recreational spaces that contribute significantly to pupils’ physical, cognitive, and social development. However, in many Nigerian public primary schools, these spaces are underutilized or inadequately designed to support holistic education. This study assesses the effective use of primary school grounds in the selected study area, focusing on patterns of pupil engagement, environmental quality, and design functionality.

ournal of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIAJ) is an academic journal, which is coordinated by the Library and Publications Committee of the Nigerian Institute of Architects. The first issue of NIAJ was published in 1981. Before 2023 all copies of the journal were printed with ISSN 2315 8913, however since 2023, the journal is printed digitally.