The Diminishing Role of Architecture in the Building Industry: A Case Study of Jos Metropolis

Abstract

The study examined the causes of the diminishing role in architectural practice in Nigeria, with a view to determining the factors that militate against sustainable architectural practice in Nigeria. Several internal and external factors have been found to contribute to the diminishing role of architects in practice globally and especially in Nigeria. The study also examined specific challenges facing Architectural practice in Nigeria. Using qualitative methods, the focus groups (consisting of undergraduate, postgraduate and architecture professionals and clients) examined reasons why the architects’ role is diminishing globally and especially in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria and discovered that the societal perception of architects is largely negative due to an obscure image presentation which is also evident amongst students of architecture. The study also made recommendations to mitigate the negative effects of the societal perception the architects’ role.