By Akagwu Mamajaunkwun
Abstract
Architects over the years have been the major custodians of space organization in the
environment. Their training process is guided by an institutional framework geared towards
improving the environmental qualities of a space. Hence, the tropical architectural
institutional framework is structured towards training architects for functional tropical
environmental space organization. This research through the methods of conceptual analysis
of literature and case studies of a reputable school of architecture in Nigeria and another in
the United States reveals that the Nigerian architectural institutional framework for
architectural training, though well structured, is lacking in some major sustainable
development course training elements. The research focused on sustainability as the basis for
achieving a functional environmental institutional framework for the Nigerian schools of
Architecture. The research aimed at proposing strategies for integrating sustainability
training into the intellectual developmental structure of architects, thereby enhancing quality
and better service delivery in terms of improved space organization for the tropical
environment. The research recommends that sustainability training be incorporated into the
intellectual training of architects. It concluded that the tropical environment in which Nigeria
is a subset can only be better improved when there is an understanding of the biotic and
abiotic elements making up the environment and how these elements could be sustainably
organized so as not to compromise future environmental capabilities.