EXPLORING THE USE OF HIGH-TECH ARCHITECTURE PRINCIPLES IN THE DESIGN OF CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, ABUJA

ABSTRACT

The word “high-tech” with one accord to architecture looks upon as a restoration emissary of modernist functionality; the high-tech generalization is based on simple minded plans that strictly incorporate the use of technologically enhanced building materials and its characteristic materials are steel and glass, and that it puts a high priority on flexibility of space. The overall objective of this research is to analyze the principles of high-tech architecture, its characteristics and proponents through a survey of buildings of the said topic, thus highlighting the problems of convention centres, its potentials relevance to the convention centres in Nigeria as technology and economy, influence and offer possibilities for modifications. The methodology employed the use of data from literature review, Case studies of remarkable convention and exhibition centres have been documented and the principles channelizing the design to favourable outcome from the dependent variables; Architectural expression, Building Materials, Construction Technology and scope of facilities to bring an internationally enviable event space. Consequently it hinged on allowing all available natural light into the foyer and pre-function spaces, reducing the need for artificial light and ventilation displacement of air delivery and air exhaust in the plenary hall and foyer areas providing effective air flow which are design challenges figured out . It is clear that there is always an identity of the locality be it the Hong Kong Convention Centre whose roof features a bird-like rooftop and there can be no more illustrious example than Pompidou Centre to boast technical features often along with load-bearing structures. By adopting the aforementioned findings, conventional types of modern construction technology available in our contemporary construction industries today with focus on new materials, techniques of construction and how they can be harnessed will be a platform for a clearer understanding of this concept and initiates a reliable background for extensive research, studies and development within Nigeria domain.

                                                                         CHAPTER ONE

                                                                        INTRODUCTION

1.1          Background of Study:

The High-tech architecture, sometimes unified into what some address as late modernism or structural expressionism, is an architectural style that emerged in the late 1970s, integrating elements of high-tech industry and technology into building design in all types of corporate buildings, housing, museums and so forth. High-tech according to Jencks (2009), attempts to highlights its imagery and its principle concerns considering ―the part between inside and out, the celebration of process, a concern for transparency, layering and movement as well as a light height filigree of tensile members in a scientific culture‖. McArthur, (2006) claims that in view of a modernist perspective some of the contemporary inventions are traceable to the origins of modernity. However, it could be outlined in strictly personal and historical terms as the label we apply to virtually any building designed in the last twenty years, in essence it can be regarded as a fusion of technology and functionalism. In order to lend both a personal and a historical imprint to this definition, Davies, (1998) identifies the work of four of its leading architects although of course there are others; these are Richard Rogers, Norman Foster, Nichoas Grimshaw, or Micheal Hopkins. For now we can simply say that its characteristic materials are steel and glass, which it purports to adhere to a strict code of honesty of expression, that it usually embodies ideas about industrial production, as sources both of technology and of imagery, and that it puts a high priority on flexibility of use. The typology of high-tech architecture has varied somewhat, but all high-tech architecture had in common the glorification of the technical elements, with a demonstration of ostentatious technical and functional components of buildings. Therefore it makes it easier for their repair and maintenance of buildings.

The proposed convention and exhibition centre, Abuja will be a mega structure that suggests the display of good architectural expressions and great visual impact using technical and functional components and an orderly arrangement and use of pre-fabricated elements such as glass walls, steel frames, modular walling systems (commonly referred to as high-tech concrete) and plastics through the integration of high-tech principles.

Generally the whole idea being that of deductive reasoning between the structure, materials, concepts, function and its surrounding landscape to achieve as remarkable facility to set new benchmarks for the international meeting industry. Some of convention centres‘ features include:

1. To host medium to large-scale international, national and local conferences as well as national and local consumer trade shows including industry related exhibition.
2. It offers column-free spaces which can be used for meetings, exhibitions, or sporting events.

• Typically offers flexible and sufficient large spaces used for a variety of exhibition, trade shows, and meeting events.

1. Contribute to the economy from tourism perspective, which are likely to impact the financial returns of the tourism spend .

1.2         Characteristics and Functions of Convention and Exhibition Centres

A convention centre, in essence is the benchmark which offers a comprehensive range of facilities and services of central forms of a separate, self-sufficient metropolitan node, characterized by a business and entertainment district. A convention centre which explores sense of place covers the knowledge of identity and heritage of the place with merging historical architecture with cutting-edge technology peculiar to a particular locality. In American English, a convention centre is an exhibition hall, or conference centre, that is designed to hold a convention. In British English very large venues suitable for major trade shows are known as Exhibition centres while the term ‗Convention Centre is sometimes used for intermediate venues between exhibition centre and conference, which are much smaller and contain lecture halls and meeting rooms. Sense of place is regarded as being a highly multi-dimensional experience conveyed through environmental, social and cultural attributes of places, and people‘s psychological responses to these attributes (Low and Altman, (1992); Rapport, (1985); Relph, (1976). Architectural reflection is passing along through forms on various building types like museums, conference centres and convention centres.

1.3         Statement of Problem

Convention and exhibition centres in spite of its purpose to host conference meetings, trade shows, public shows and other large functions showed interrelationship of activities on functional spaces, flexibility of movements; which effects lack of ventilation displacement and insufficient natural light into the foyer and pre-function spaces for the use of contemporary architecture that exhibits character and identity of place while integrating multi-functional spaces. Some existing convention and exhibition centres in Nigeria which are experiencing competition related to size and flexibility in their designs as well as inadequate parking space are major challenges faced with such integrated facility. Above all, this thesis is stressed-out with focusing on exploring how high-tech principles can bring possible modifications and solutions to Nigerian Architectural Designs and solve common problems associated with most convention and exhibition centres.

1.4  Aim and Objectives

Aim

The research seeks to apply the principles of high-tech architecture to provide architectural and planning solutions towards improving the performance and operational efficiency bringing an internationally enviable event space.

Objectives

The objectives includes

1. To identify the key principles of high-tech architecture.
2. To highlight the basic problems of convention and exhibition centres as well as the problems of High tech architecture in Nigeria

• To study and examine contemporary convention and exhibition centres that reflects High- Tech Architecture elements in their designs.

1. To apply high-tech architecture to efficient use in the design of convention and exhibition centres.

1.5         Research Questions:

The research aims at answering the following questions:

1. To what extent can high-tech architecture be applied into the designs of contemporary convention and exhibition centres in Nigeria?
2. How can high-tech architecture be successfully more effective in Nigerian Architectural Designs and construction techniques?

1.6         Scope and delimitation

This research will primarily stress on the design of a convention centre that will meet the spatial functional requirements of its users and at the same time successfully apply the principles or concepts of high-tech architecture.

The scope of this research work will be conferred in two parts:

• The first part of the research will be a study of convention centres in Nigeria in relation to available facilities such as: hotels, population density, roads, airports, and so on.
• The second part is surveying some buildings (convention centres and also, buildings with convention facilities) where high tech elements are employed assessing its prospects and problems.

1.7 Justification:

Justification of support for both capital and revenue funding includes the following reasons:

1. Socio-economic: To create an additional avenue of investment that can be owned by government entities and in some instances by private developers or through public/private partnership.
2. As the international meeting market is large and in being able to promote integrated whole-building facility that offers market through tourism perspectve.

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