IDEOLOGICAL PROFILES OF ARCHITECTURE FIRMS IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA
Erekpitan O. Ola-Adisa, Bogda Prucnal-Ogunsote, MangutSalihu
Gideon Koyan Benjamin and InalegwuInalegwu Ella
Department of Architecture, University of Jos, Jos
Email: olaefeadisa@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Ideology in architectural practice consists of architectural ideologies or the ideas that drive the styles and designs and the corporate ideology or the shared belief of the principal architects that guide the running of the architectural firm. Corporate ideologies play a significant role in strategy formulation, as an organisations’ core ideology is essentially the ‘glue’ that holds the organisation together. Studies have also shown that ideology has an effect on the firms’ management structure. Ideologies can also illuminate the core values of an organisation. Studies assert that core values are important tools of measurement when determining if organisational approaches are viable. Firm ideology as a component of firm culture is, by implication a critical factor for determining viability of the firm. The objectives include identifying the prevalent ideologies in architectural firms in North Central Nigeria, relating the ideologies to viable and sustainable architectural practice in Nigeria. The sample was derived from firms in the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Register, purposively selecting cities where architectural firms were most concentrated in North Central Nigeria. The principal survey instrument was a structured questionnaire, and a total of one hundred and two (102) questionnaires were collated and analysed. Data from the questionnaires were also analysed using Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient, and regression analysis. Results of the study revealed most firms intuitively operated with architectural practice ideologies which significantly enhanced viability. These findings have created awareness that while Nigerian architecture practice does not show commitment to ideology, ideologies exist.
Keywords:
Architectural Firms, Corporate Ideologies, Design Philosophy, Practice Ideology