ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria TITLE: HOW TO CHOOSE A LOCATION FOR AN ARCHITECTURE FIRM IN NIGERIA SUBTOPICS 1. Introduction. 2. Architecture firm. 3. The size of the Architect’s office. 4. Choosing an office location. 5. Conclusion.

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria INTRODUCTION Choosing an office location is the most important decision taken by an architect that wants to go into full practice, so it requires precise planning and research. Market strategists say that different types of location decisions need to be considered before selecting the specific area for your business. The location of the firm can determine how effective the operation of that firm will be. This term paper discusses the importance of an architect’s office, various sizes of an architect’s office and also the factors to consider when choosing a suitable location for an architecture firm in Nigeria.

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria ARCHITECTURE FIRM The architect’s office in this context refers to the address of the architecture firm where provision for the workspace of staff and equipments is made available. It is the architect’s domain to meet clients. Architect’s Office An architect in full practice needs a decent office accommodation in a good location for sustaining patronages. It is almost practically impossible for an architect in practice not to have an office. It is taken as evidence to know if such architect is well grounded or not.

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria Importance of an Architect’s Office An architect’s office is important because: 1.Some categories of clients e.g. the government, co- operate organization, multinational organization and high net-worth individuals usually give design commissions and all other related construction works to only architects with a business address or office. 2. It allows for productivity of staff. 3. Equipments can be kept safe and functional. 4. It bestows or gives prestige. 5. It ensures efficiency in the operations of the firm

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria THE SIZE OF THE ARCHITECT’S OFFICE The architect’s office ranges in size, from a room to a suite, part of a building or even the whole building. The size of the architect’s office is a reflection of the size or scope of practice. In other words, the scope of practice of an architecture firm must be directly proportional to the size of the office

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria CHOOSING AN OFFICE LOCATION To choose a suitable location of an architecture firm, the following factors should be considered.  Definition of Identity : The identity of the firm must be established in relation to the peculiarity of the intended location.  Scope of Operation: The scope of operation of the architecture firm also goes a long way to determine its location. Take for instance, an architecture firm that has a large scope of operation being located in a place where little constructions take place. The firm would be under utilizing its resources.

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria  Availability of Work: An architecture firm should be located in a place where its services are being needed. For instance, architectural services are mostly needed in an area which is undergoing development.  Accessibility: The firm should be located in a place where it will be easily accessed by the Architect, the entire staff and most importantly the clients. For instance, an architecture firm which is targeting a foreign client should ensure that it is being located in a place not too far from an airport so as to be easily accessed by the foreign client.

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria  Competition: It is important to note that the level of competition to be encountered in a particular place will definitely affect the number of project opportunities available for the firm if located there. Firms that can cope with high level of competition will survive in a location with high level of completion and vice – versa.  Plan for Future Growth: In order to make further growth or expansion of the firm possible, it is necessary to look for a facility that has extra space should you need it.

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria  Safety: The crime rate in that area of choice should be considered. Staff must feel safe alone in the office or when coming to the office. Also, if the office location of an architecture firm is not safe, clients’ patronage will be difficult.  Economic policy: The economic policy or system of a particular region may also affect your decision and choice of location. Some economy favor capitalists and others are driven by socialism; where the government controls all businesses. Other sub-factors to consider are government’s policy, fiscal and monetary policy, exchange rates, taxes, levies and duties.

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria conclusion As a final note, I want to stress that product accessibility is directly hinged on the location of your firm. So when choosing a location for your architecture firm, the following factors listed above can give a hand in decision making.