WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ARCHITECTS
AND SERVICES ENGINEERS IN NIGERIA; SCOPE OF
MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND AREAS OF
CONFLICT.
1.0.
2.0.
3.0.
INTRODUCTION
1.1. WHAT ARE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES?
1.2. WHAT ARE ENGINEERING SERVICES?
MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITIES
2.1. PRE DESIGN TO POST CONSTRUCTION
INVOLVEMENT
2.2. DECISION MAKING
INTERDISCIPLINARY CONFLICTS
3.1. COMMUNICATION CONFLICT
(a)Terminology
Misinterpretation
(b) Inattentiveness
(c) Inadequate Information
Supply
3.2. ORGANIZATION CONFLICT
(a) Little or No Integrators
(b) Lack of Good Planning:
(c) Overlapping Responsibility:
3.3. PERSONAL VARIABLES
(a) Lack of Aesthetic Sense:
(b) Alienation and
Discrimination:
(c) Lifestyle Diversion:
3.4. COMPETITIVE RIVALRY
3.5. A QUESTION OF EGO (PRIDE)
4.0.
RECOMMENDATIONS
REFERENCES
ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure
Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
One thinks it up, the other builds it. One wears a monocle and turtleneck, the other
a hardhat and steel-toe boots. One is an ‘artist', the other a ‘workman'. These are
the classic conceptions of the difference between architects and engineers. While
admittedly simplistic, these descriptions illustrate the heart of the chasm between
two professions that collaborate to build today's evermore iconic skylines. If it's
true that both architects and engineers play significant roles in constructing today's
cities and that we've come to a place in the evolution of the built environment in
which both architects and engineers are absolutely necessary on major projects, a
question arises: Do architects and engineers operate independently or
interdependently in their collaboration? Put simply, where does architecture end
and engineering begin and vice-versa?. This term paper therefore seeks to discuss
the relationship between architects and engineers in the Nigerian building industry
while highlighting points of mutual responsibilities as well as areas of interdisciplinary conflicts between the two professional fields. Recommendations for
harmonizing and resolving such conflicts will also be considered.
ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure
Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
1.0
INTRODUCTION
Architectural firms provide blueprints and designs for
buildings and other structures, while engineering firms
provide planning, design, construction and management
services for building structures. Consulting engineers are
involved in all stages of a project, and thus their services
overlap substantially with those of other professionals.
The study looks into working relationship between the
two fields of professions (architects and engineers) with
emphasis
on
mutual
responsibilities
and
interdisciplinary conflict factors especially over
communications, organization and personal variables.
ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure
Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
2.0 MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Architects and engineers work in conjunction with each other from inception to
completion. Writer, (2008) insists there is never a time during the course of a
project when the role of one or the other is finished.
2.1 PRE DESIGN TO POST CONSTRUCTION INVOLVEMENT
The two specialties must collaborate at the conceptual design phase and continue
through the completion of the project. The architect has the role to interpret the
vision of the client along with the support of the engineers. Certain buildings can
only be realized by the intimate collaboration of the architect and his structural
engineer.
2.2 DECISION MAKING
First and foremost is the architect, the overseer of all design and construction
unless for certain projects, then, the engineers come in, hopefully, not too long
after [the architect has] conceived the idea, Depending on what the architect or
client is like it can sometimes take a long time to get the engineers involved. But,
the sooner the engineers get involved, the sooner the idea goes from conception
to reality.
ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure
Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
3.1 COMMUNICATION CONFLICT
(a) Terminology Misinterpretation: Among various issues concerning work
conflicts between architects and engineers working together on building
projects, huge or small, from houses to skyscrapers, the causes are oftentimes
boiled down into the misinterpretations of terminologies used to communicate
among these two groups of people both in verbal language and drawings
(b) Inattentiveness: Inattentiveness leads to misunderstanding. If one is forced
to listen to an unfamiliar language for a while, as ambiguity accumulates, he
tends to lose attention. This happens at time between the architect and the
engineer.
(c) Inadequate Information Supply: Such perplexity Concerning architecture
drawing, terminology ambiguity which could have been avoided by supplying a
detailed clarification of what work exactly needed to be done result into conflicts
at times. The architect should have stated it clearly and the engineers should have
asked to confirm.
ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure
Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
3.2 ORGANIZATION CONFLICT
(a) Little or No Integrators: An integrator is a person with knowledge or training
in both fields. His educational background coupled with work experience enables
him to assist in conflict mitigation, bridging the gap between the divided
descriptions. His multiple layers of perspective give him insights into views of
both the architects and the engineers.
(b) Lack of Good Planning: As building projects get complicated, they require
experts in various fields to get involved (Gray, 2001). To avoid chaotic
consequences, good planning is a requisite. Good planning refers to sensible work
sequence, clear areas of responsibility on all positions with distinct definitions on
chains of command, lines of duty, priority, finite timelines and so on.
(c) Overlapping Responsibility: Overlapping responsibility is the direct
consequence from position mistake. When areas of responsibility are not clearly
defined, people either take the matter into their own hands or deliberately
exercise discretion. Such ambiguities and confusions are the breeding ground for
negative interface between referenced groups of opposite descriptions.
ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure
Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
3.3 PERSONAL VARIABLES
(a) Lack of Aesthetic Sense: As architects are trained to develop their aesthetic
sense and culture considerations, engineering is emphasis is primarily on how to
make things work in cost-efficient manners. Trouble starts when the engineer
views an architectural item as excessive and unnecessary, while the architect
insists that the motif remains consistent for the entire building in accordance to
the project theme
(b) Alienation and Discrimination: It is natural for people to form the sense of
alienation and discrimination against those from the opposite side of the
spectrum. We tend to identify ourselves with those of identical qualities on
various aspects. While architecture and engineering do not seem to be such a
distance from each other in terms of goal, yet when it comes to cooperation, the
level of misapprehension is relatively astonishing.
(c) Lifestyle Diversion: Certain patterns of thinking, sets of values, tastes and
lifestyles had been formed in the process of training. Dissimilarities of such are
the foundation of the divergent perspectives and approaches to the same issues.
In addition, architects and engineers appear to bare disparities in language and
culture.
ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure
Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
3.4 COMPETITIVE RIVALRY
Generally speaking, engineers endeavor to find the lowest common
denominator, while architects pursue the highest common
multiple. Engineers are pragmatic while architects are visionary. If
this characterization is true, then it stands to reason that both
would have a sense of ownership-albeit a slightly varied one-over
successful projects and thus, professional rivalries would ensue.
3.5 A QUESTION OF EGO
Architects and engineers are not protected from the siren song of
their own egos. It would seem that there is a difference between
having a commanding persona and having an inflated sense of
self-importance. While the former can be an important driving
force in the project, the latter can derail it
ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure
Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
 It suggests that there be a modification of cultural behavior
would make an immense difference if engineers be more open to
aesthetics, as architects try harder to comprehend the
contradictory mentality over beauty and practicality.
A well coordinated program is needed to facilitate good working
relationship between the architect and the engineer as regards
projects throughout all necessary stages such as pre-design,
design, construction and post-construction stages.
They need each other to consider that which they are untrained to
deal with. Architects need engineers to tell them when something is
structurally unfeasible, and engineers need architects to get them to
think outside the confines of that which is singularly black or white.
ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure
Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
REFERENCES
Chiberg, J. C. & Jensen A. D. (1991). “Small group communication: Theory and
application”. Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing
Duggar, J. F. (1984). “Checking and coordinating architectural and engineering
working drawing”. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Horayangkura, V. & Thammavijitdej, P. (2006). ”Interdisciplinary Conflicts and
Resolution as Cultural Behavior Among Architects and Engineers”.
Thammasat review journal 2(11), 50 - 64. Retrieved from
www.thammasatreview.tu.ac.th/tu_doc/2006-volume11-No1/2[11].pdf
Gray, C. (2001). “Building design management”. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Levy, R. M. (1980). The professionalization of American architects and civil engineers
1805 - 1917. Berkeley: University of California.
The Nigerian Institute Of Architects, (2004). “Conditions of engagement and
consultancy services agreement. The Nigerian Institute of Architects.
Writer, S. (2008). “Engineers vs. Architects Continuing the debate on who controls the
built environment”. Retrieved from www.arabianbusiness.com/engineers
vs-architects-51493.html.
ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure
Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria