Architectural Failures, Safety Measures and Risks in Construction
ARCHITECTURAL FAILURES, SAFETY MEASURES AND RISKS IN CONSTRUCTION - NIA 303 (2) Text of Paper presented to the NIAPPE preparatory seminar at Digital Bridge Institute on 6 March 2012 by Arc. J. O. Toluhi PART I – ARCHITECTURAL FAILURES The concept of architectural failures is better understood from the perspective of what architecture really is, criteria for architectural project success and what failure connotes. What architecture means Architecture is defined in various ways by architects and non-architects alike depending on their focus or area of emphasis. You must be familiar with the definition offered in the ARCON law which attempts to capture different ramifications of the profession. By Le Corbusier’s definition, "Architecture is the masterly, correct, and magnificent play of masses brought together in light."1 However, the Penguin dictionary of architecture defines it as “the art and science of designing buildings and structures and their surroundings in keeping with aesthetic, functional and other criteria”. Architecture is now understood as encompassing the totality of the designed environment, including buildings, urban spaces and landscape 2. Successful architecture must therefore maintain the purity enshrined in its meaning and essence. Architectural Project Success Criteria3 The criteria for success in an architectural project include: Budget – project completed at or under cost Schedule – completed within the contracted period Meets specification – conforms with or exceeds the technical specifications Function - Conforms to user’s expectations Quality – meets or exceeds accepted standards of materials and workmanship Concept of failure The term “Failure” connotes an aberration, something happening short of expectation and its purpose or intent; it brings about disappointment and will therefore lose its reward. It could be used to describe negative consequences due to a non realisation of desired goals/objectives and loss of benefits