Things to consider in aesthetic buildings

The adoption of new technologies in housing delivery is a common sight in major Nigerian cities as people have gone aesthetic in the choice of their building materials. One of the most noticeable changes to house construction is use of marbles and tiles in the exterior walls. What we see at the end of most […]

The adoption of new technologies in housing delivery is a common sight in major Nigerian cities as people have gone aesthetic in the choice of their building materials. One of the most noticeable changes to house construction is use of marbles and tiles in the exterior walls. What we see at the end of most building constructions are beautiful and elegant looking structures which are quite attractive; but as it is said not all that glitters is gold.
Town Planner Barnabas Atiyaye said that at times some of the buildings covered with beautiful tiles or other eye-catching building materials are done to cover up defective structures underneath which at the long run will have negative impact on such buildings and the occupants.
Atiyaye said the use of modern technology in building construction is a welcome development but the choice of fanciful materials should not be sacrificed for standard, ruggedness and durability as the case may be.
He said, “It’s generally known that time changes things and development has its own way of coming up with new inventions so when we talk about buildings there are so many factors considered. The first factor might be the durability, the second could be aesthetic and the third might be the affordability.”
 He said that one good thing about the technologies in housing is that environmental issues are put into consideration while manufacturing such materials.
He however pointed out that some of these materials still pose health threat due to their chemical contents, adding that more has to be done in checking the material content of imported and locally manufactured building materials to make them environmentally friendly.
 “Basically new technologies are expensive but if we look at what is happening and the trend all over the world particularly the climate change there are a lot of innovations that are being brought that can overcome the challenges that are imminent with our existing technology. And I think there are concerted efforts in the developed world to come up with what might be able to stand the climatic challenges we are having in our country. It is a welcome idea that people are really coming up with new technologies that can help us overcome the challenges of climate and if possible reduce the impact of climate change in our environment,” said Atiyaye.
Atiyaye who is currently the FCT chapter chairman of Building Collapse Prevention  Guild said despite innovations in building construction, the traditional brick remains the best for Nigeria’s environment.
“We can go very high with traditional bricks. They are invented for us. Anywhere bricks are used, you will discover that the environment is cool. If you use blocks with cement heat is generated. Burnt bricks are good because natural things are used and that gives you a very cool and beautiful environment. Again, you can really go whatever level you want to go provided you do the engineering work. But when you start using some of these aesthetic things, they have their own negative impact that might even affect the health of persons depending upon the kind of chemicals that were used.
“For instance, we used the traditional zinc. People said no, we can get a better one which is asbestos. Asbestos have now been condemned because of the effect it has on health. Now, we have come to rooftop tiles. Some of them are good but they are very expensive,” Atiyaye said.
On the effect of this, he explained, “ There are cases of inferior wash hand basins with sharp edges cutting people`s hands, the use of glass table and glass designed interior  décor have also done a lot  of harm not to talk of fake tiles which many slip over and sustain multiple injuries. Many people choose tiles just because of the way they appeal to the eyes without asking questions from experts. These tiles are made for different purposes. Some are strictly for walls, floors, roofs etc so going for any might not be the best.”