B. A. Adewale

Data Exploration of Social Client Relationship Management (CRM 2.0) adoption in the Nigerian Construction Business

Integrating social client relationship management (CRM 2.0) in the built environment can enhance the relationship between construction organizations and client towards sustaining a long and lasting collaboration. The data exploration analyzed the e-readiness of contracting and consulting construction firms in the uptake of CRM 2.0 and the barriers encountered in the adoption of the modern business tool. The targeted organizations consist of seventy five (75) construction businesses operating in Lagos State which were selected from a pool of registered contracting and consulting construction firms using random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics of the e-readiness of contracting and consulting construction firms for CRM 2.0 adoption and barriers limiting its uptake were analyzed. Also, inferential analysis using Mann–Whitney U statistical and independent sample t-test was performed on the dataset obtained. The data generated will support construction firms on the necessity to engage in client social relationship management in ensuring sustainable client relationship management in the built environment.

Assessment of residential satisfaction in the core area of Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Traditional core areas of urban centers in the developing countries are known for poor housing quality and deteriorating neighborhood environment. However, there is a paucity of empirical studies on the extent to which residents of such areas are satisfied with their housing situations. This study investigated residential satisfaction amongst residents in the traditional core area of Ibadan, southwest Nigeria. The study relied on a questionnaire survey of 856 residents conducted in 2013 in the study area to achieve this goal. Results of the descriptive statistics, factor, and categorical regression analyses reveal that the residents were generally satisfied with their housing situations. They were most satisfied with relationships with their neighbors but least satisfied with the sizes of open spaces within their neighborhoods. Satisfaction with housing units’ attributes and social characteristics of the neighborhood; layout and cleanliness and the provision of utilities and recreational facilities in the neighborhood emerged as the top three predictors of residential satisfaction amongst the residents. The study concludes that instead of contemplating on total clearance and eviction of residents as measures for improving the livability of traditional core areas of urban centers, governments in developing countries need to engage in innovative strategies that will improve the quality of the physical environment and social networks in these communities.

ENHANCED STUDENTS LEARNING AND THE NEW GRADUATES EXPERIENCE: A CASE IN ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT, COVENANT UNIVERSITY

All year round in the world, admissions into higher institutions of learning are carried out with most students finding themselves in various disciplines including Architecture. Once on these career paths, students have different learning abilities one differing from the other. Learning enhancement refers to skills acquisition to improving understanding especially in the value and effective use of knowledge acquired. This is normally done through taught courses from departmental faculty members with the aim of enriching the undergraduate for maximum knowledge enhancement. As a result, this research will try and identify the modern and dynamic learning techniques available for knowledge dissemination to undergraduate classes of Architecture at Covenant University. Quantitative research methods was adopted where questionnaires were administered to the fresh classes of the Department of Architecture. This paper aims to enhance learning skills at the undergraduate level and the application towards effective teaching delivery by faculty in Architecture schools. The following questions are to be answered: What are the relevant skills required of undergraduate students in the department of architecture?, What current enhanced learning techniques are used in teaching the students in the fresh classes of Architecture at Covenant University? and In what ways can innovative teaching methods and skills of knowledge transfer be used to enhance effective learning at the undergraduate level? Contributions to knowledge are that new methods of enhanced learning techniques are to be recommended from the study, and also new methods of knowledge transfer will be proffered. Secondly, enhanced learning methods and skills need to be introduced into the curriculum towards effectively equipping the new intake better prepared for the course of study.

THE NEED FOR NEW MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES IN THE TEACHING OF COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN COURSES IN THE DIGITAL DESIGN STUDIO: A CASE IN ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT, COVENANT UNIVERSITY

Students of Architecture have as part of their training in order to be relevant in the global terrain the acquisition of Computer Aided Design proficiency in AutoCAD and Revit and other software as the need arises. Currently as captured in the curriculum of the study of Architecture in Covenant University, the students are assembled in the Digital Design Studio with advanced computer graphics suite on each system and guided through by a faculty with requisite knowledge and training. While it is expected that each student will follow through the process as expected, some are often lost and confused as the training session lasts. As in the case of learning technologies, the use of new media is grounded in its value to support sound pedagogical approaches. This paper investigated the current study methods adopted in teaching students of the Department of Architecture in the use of AutoCAD and Revit software in the Digital Design Studio by administering questionnaires to the undergraduate and postgraduate students of the 2016/2017 set. The data collected was statistically analyzed with SPSS software and it showed that there was a marked learning gap as a result of the adopted method of teaching by the faculty. It is expected that with the introduction of new media technologies like Digital Design Studio App and websites for hands-on training, a marked level of improvement would be achieved in knowledge dissemination and acquisition.

IMPACT OF VISUAL ART TO ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO: STUDENT EXPERIENCE OF LOWER AND UPPER CLASSES

Art history has spanned back to the cave painting age when man had conceived the ability to create imagination, concepts and ideas which are put on mediums. This is termed virtual art. Over the times, the visualization of art had evolved from the traditional art to contemporary art. Virtual art comprises of painting, drawing, sculpture, design, photography, film making, literature, crafts, ceramics and architecture and there has been a direct link between virtual art and architecture, especially in the acquisition of these skills. Training in virtual art has originally been through apprenticeship just as architecture training has originally been by mentorship, both are now been taught at tertiary institutions. Virtual art is being taken as a course or an elective in schools of architecture in Nigeria. This study takes the case study of 100 and 200 level students of Covenant University, Nigeria. It is assumed that the knowledge acquired in virtual art would help students in architectural design. However, how has this translated to students’ scores in design and design output? Also, the study investigates how well the students have been impacted with virtual art knowledge to help them in design. Data for this study is by primary and secondary data. This is done by examining the impact of virtual art as a course on student results in architectural design. This is done by examining students at lower class of 100 levels and the same set of students’ results in 200 levels in design and in virtual art. Questionnaire was administered to students and the results of scores of the student are considered in the study. Finding shows that the skills acquired in virtual art and the knowledge has helped the student in drafting, creativity, which had brought out original design forms. The similarities between virtual art and architecture in terms of background, training and presentation should be explored by schools of architecture to produced better architects.

Dataset on cost comparative analysis of different walling materials in residential buildings in a developing economy

The walls which form the envelope of a building are very important, therefore, the choice of materials used for it is very important. The dataset presents a comparative analysis of different walling materials used in residential buildings in a developing economy. The data was presented using descriptive tools of figures and tables. The dataset was obtained within several parts in Lagos State, Nigeria. The dataset showed the awareness and rate of use of selected walling materials by home owners in residential apartments. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the cost implication of using eight (8) different walling materials in a typical two (2)- bedroom residential building was carried out. Using a market survey armed with current prices, a bill of quantities showed the varying cost of different walling materials for residential buildings. The dataset when analyzed can help in understanding the dynamics of providing affordable housing in developing economies. In addition, prospective home owners and building materials’ investors can benefit from the dataset.