Architecture and building design-focused firm, Design Genre Limited, is canvassing sustainable, environment-friendly building designs and materials as part of steps towards reducing the negative impact of buildings on the environment, especially in emerging towns and cities in Nigeria.
Nigeria, especially Lagos, has seen the emergence of new towns and cities in what is now commonly known as New Urbanism with little consideration for their impact on both aquatic and human environments. In most cases, whole environment is distorted by man for selfish-ends.
To underscore the importance it attaches to environmental safety and sustainability, Design Genre instituted an Architecture Students’ Award, now in its fourth edition, at the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The award, the firm explained in a statement in Lagos Wednesday, is an endowment by the company aimed to raise future architects who will adopt the idea of sustainable designs that suits the lifestyle of a truly modern and safer city.
“We need to think about evolving a sustainable architecture designs through efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, and our development spaces. This is germane to aligning to the global quest for a safer city so that we will not compromise a safer living and eco-friendly environment,” said Anthony Okoye, managing director of the company.
Okoye spoke at the prize presentation to winners of the Architecture Students’ Award where Adeola Oderinde and Bidemi Ariyo, both MSC 1 students of OAU, emerged first prize winners in a highly charged race that featured five teams pitching their creative ideas to a panel of judges which included lecturers and practicing Architecture professionals.
The winners were judged for creating a building project with sustainability ingenuity and ecological features capable of promoting good health for occupants of the building as well as reduce the building’s negative impact on the environment.
Dayo Oduleye, an Associate Director of the company, highlighted the company’s determination to continue sponsoring the competition, explaining that the whole idea of the competition was to connect the town and the gown.
“We are delighted and determined to continue to provide the platform for Architecture students to have practical experience of how the built industry works. The contestants were made to go through real-life business pitch and presentations.
“We are offering the students an experience to connect the theories being taught in classes and the practical as it works in the industry as at today. A sort of connection between academics and the real industry,” he explained further.
Oduleye stated further that award was a give-back-to-the society initiative as Okoye, an accomplished architect and built design expert with landmark projects to his credit, was an alumnus of the Architecture Department of OAU.
“By this endowment, we are hoping to continue to nurture emerging talents who will continue to bring fresh perspectives to the built environment,” he said.
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