Institute Of Advanced Architectural Studies. Abuja

Architecture — in Nigeria is in a serious dilemma, especially when it is evaluated as one of the oldest and foremost vocations in the country- There are lots of threats to the existence of successful practice of the "High—Art". The threats range from professional Malpractices to gross misrepresentation and misinterpretation by laymen as well as other professionals in the building industry- This is not all! A greater problem lies in the architect considering his graduation from a recognised school of Architecture as well as membership of the Architectural body (NIA) to be exhaustive for learning.In fact, some architects do not read beyond casual glances of newspapers and journals- Lack of commitment by the practising architect to properly and adequately inform himself — and consequently the public of the Myriad of architectural alternatives and options are highly disappointing. Architecture, from the earliest times, is known to be giving direction to Technology- However, for architecture to be acceptable to both the rich and the poor, the practitioner Must understand the complex variables, user needs and requirements, as well as options and alternatives for a descent and habitable environment. No architect can lay claim to exhaustive understanding of the various problems in the society- The problems are more noticeable in the large population — the low—income earners- It has been shown that over 70 per cent of Nigerians are in the low—income group. Since the low—income group characteristically have large family sizes, their housing demands are usually higher. Moreover, if architecture has to lead technology to true greatness, learning and doing architecture has to take a new dimension. With due regards to the modest efforts of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, and the various schools of Architecture in the country, a lot more need to be done. The Institute of Advanced Architectural Studies, Abuja shall function as a social and intellectual focus for the profession and the building industry in general. A centre for architectural excellence, the Institute shall lend itself to intensive research, development and information dissemination on issues of architecture. Architects, engineers, surveyors, scientists, and clients shall contribute and benefit from the various programmes of the Institute. The design being proposed shall be of an institutional typology, with a slight accent of cultural facilities- The emphasis of the design is to encourage continuing education through informal learning process.

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