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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 10, No. 2
Publication Date: February 25, 2023
DOI:10.14738/assrj.102.14035.
Olubi, A. R., & Erebor, E. M. (2023). The Architects’ Practice Knowledge, Expressions and Communications of Architectural Design
Intentions in Southwest Nigeria. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(2). 305-315.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
The Architects’ Practice Knowledge, Expressions and
Communications of Architectural Design Intentions in Southwest
Nigeria
Olubi, Abiodun Rufus
Department of Architecture, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo
Erebor, Emokpae Murphy
Department of Architecture, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo
Abstract
This study investigates the knowledge of Architects in the practice of design
intentions, communications, principles, and expressions of architectural
design in selected Architectural practices to improve architectural design
delivery in Southwest Nigeria. Data collection was enhanced with a
structured questionnaire from 250 participants comprising practicing
Architects at various levels. The survey data were analyzed by descriptive
statistics and the key finding is that Architects' practice knowledge of intentions,
communications, principles, and expressions of architectural design in the study
area is very high. Appreciably, 66.6% of the respondents use pure lines to
communicate design intentions, 25% of the respondents communicate through
forms and shapes while 4.2% of the respondents each use geometry and materials
as elements of communication of architectural intentions. The Pearson Correlation
analysis to establish relationships between the tested variables reveals significant
relationships between the meaning of architecture and visual communication of
architectural intentions (p < 0.05; r = 0.359). This study recommends that
Architecture as a utilitarian art requires the effective and clear conveyance of
thought through pure visuals, clear lines, forms, and materials to communicate
clear intentions, culture, personality, and status as well as create an important
human-environmental link.
Keywords: Architecture, Communication, Expression, Philosophy
INTRODUCTION
Architecture is a creative and utilitarian art that offers enduring and sustaining solutions to
multifaceted human and environmental concerns. It is a dynamic, functional, and practical art
that is deeply enshrined in man's development according to Belyaeva, (2017). As a result, the
profession employs the available materials in its most authentic and harmonious form for
man's territoriality through the incorporation of natural components with logic, structure, and
composition (McLeish, 2019). The inventive processes and language of design help in creating
an impact on architectural processes and outputs. Therefore, the architectural design process
creates functional spaces that meet human needs, create beautiful environments, and define
the city's image by providing harmonious views and effective landmarks. It also aims at
improving the overall urban fabrics and skyline as well as presenting views in pure, simple, and
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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 10, Issue 2, February-2023
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natural ways for easy understanding (Samuel, 2018; Salama, 2019). It further opens up doors
to multi-dimensional breakthroughs and developments (Corbusier, 1923; Wright, 1943;
Durmus & Kuloglu, 2013).
Architects conceptualize design ideas from unseen imaginations and impulses (Purdy, 2021);
they visualize buildings before they are being built (Maher et al., 2018); and in the process, they
are responsible to themselves, the client, the natural environment, the society and man’s
existence (Zychowska, 2019). The characteristics image of architectural works, urban values,
and urban forms becomes significant through expressions of design objectives, architectural
philosophies, and decisive clear representation of design intentions. Appreciating the
significant influence and impact of architecture requires Architects to produce designs with
minimum ambiguity but send design intentions and developmental information to urban
dwellers and the entire urban environment. This necessitates the understanding of the
fundamental principles guiding architectural expressions and ways to communicate design
intentions. This study aims to offer practical advice on how expressions of architectural design
objectives can be improved, upheld, domesticated, and used as a tool for urban development in
Nigeria.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Expression of Architectural Design Philosophies
Architecture is developed around the common philosophies of expressionism, cubism,
modernism, and biomimetics. This design philosophy according to Salama (2019) makes
building conception, design, and delivery easier. Wrenn (2019) posits that these philosophies
allow buildings to relate with the “metaphorical, metaphysical, and epistemological" issues in
the best ways. Expressionism according to Better (1981) depicts free but frenzied design forms
that defy any constraining principles and any typical western architectural orthogonal system.
More so, expressionism is a non-objective architectural style, through which buildings are
expressed in delicate, flowing forms on the one hand and sharp, faceted excrescences on the
other hand. The expressionist design does not appear to have a coherent vocabulary of forms;
it appears to be the first style without at least a few constraints. Expressionist Architects
express distinct self-expression in urban environments, most often through the use of materials
such as glass. Finally, Blatter (1981) was of the view that on closer investigation, expressionist
designs communicate revolutionary, transparency, instability, and flexibility.
Modernism is another philosophical movement in architecture that contributes to the spread
of social thought (Beyaz & Karaman, 2021). The authors applauded modernism as it is
responsible for discoveries and new processes in social life ushered by the industrial revolution
in new approaches to design forms. The twentieth century saw major changes in social,
economic, architectural, and artistic fields; affectionately known as the modern period, the
twentieth century was marked by new ideas of architectural expansions (Beyaz & Karaman,
2021). Furthermore, modernism redefined the concept, context, and meaning of architectural
spaces by establishing new relationships between indoor and outdoor areas, as well as meeting
human requirements in terms of art appreciation and construction. It expresses the purity of
forms, the utility of places, and the breaking of rules through simple geometric shapes,
transparency, occupancy-void ratio, and the visual link of inner and outdoor spaces (Corbusier,
1923; Trans Merzi, 2015; Beyaz & Karaman, 2021). Cubism on the other hand is based
exclusively on the notion of splitting objects into pieces and reassembling them with new
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Olubi, A. R., & Erebor, E. M. (2023). The Architects’ Practice Knowledge, Expressions and Communications of Architectural Design Intentions in
Southwest Nigeria. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(2). 305-315.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.102.14035
interpretations. The object loses its essential form and transforms into a completely new
asymmetrical, transparent, interwoven, and geometric shape (Giedion, 1941; Beyaz &
Karaman, 2021).
Above all, the actual philosophy of architectural design is based on aesthetical and ethical
concerns. This forms the basis on which all other philosophies operate. It is believed that a good
balance of ethical and aesthetic considerations produces exceptional architecture that is easily
related to social, theoretical, and political philosophy. According to Lagueux (2004),
architecture and ethics are inextricably linked, and architectural problems frequently become
ethical issues that can be solved simultaneously and with the same method. This assumed link
between architecture and ethics could be viewed as a "reformulation or evolution" of
expressionist theory, which considers function or utility to be an inextricably vital part of the
design that must not be overlooked.
Communication of Architectural Design Goals
Vitruvius described architectural design goals as "firmitas, utilitas, and venustas" (Durmus &
Kuloglu, 2013). These are frequently interpreted as architectural space usefulness,
architectural form build ability, and architectural design aesthetic respectively. Over time, this
notion has become the language and approach to architecture that is most commonly used to
achieve in-depth examination and comprehension of architectural design. The "venustas" or
delight attribute of an architectural piece is the creative or communicative design process
concept that offers valid and realistic design solutions which are achieved through the use of
lines, forms, and geometry (Durmus & Kuloglu, 2013). The creative design and drafting process
often determines the expression and communicative forms of an architectural piece. This aids
in the transmission of information as well as the presentation of intellectual content to users
and the entire cityscape.
Design objectives are also achieved through the use of architectural components. For instance,
the use of a dome, tower, or spire in religious buildings symbolizes vertical communication
between man and the superior God. Furthermore, the intimidating tall solid walls of prisons
typify them as places of confinement and torture whereas the array of brightness and display
of many colours in playgrounds communicate joy and ecstasy. Thus, human engagement with
architecture allows for a better comprehension of the overall purpose of such design and the
entire human environment thereby allowing for the exchange of ideas, information, and
knowledge (Mathew, 2008). Michell (1990); Mathew (2008) relates architectural
communication via shapes and forms to linguistic communication via logic, semblance, and
similarity. The authors outline the importance of architectural communication skills for
understanding, interpreting, and communicating effectively with the built world.
Furthermore, McQuaid, (1993) posits that credible and majestic architecture can be influenced
by music, painting, and natural sciences, in addition to structural theory and geometry.
According to Ibrahim (2007), buildings are expected to freely express status, authority,
prestige, privacy, and security on one hand as well as displaying aesthetical rhythm,
imaginative creativity, and scientific research through visual enjoyment, economy, building
efficiency, and beauty on the other hand. Another school of thought held that man's created
form is a representation of his ideas, beliefs, and relationship with the natural world (Aik 2008).
For instance, trees and sculptures were used as a structural metaphor in Saint John the Divine