Architecture Engineers Award

  The construction sector is undergoing a paradigm shift as it faces increasing pressure to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly those linked to upfront embodied carbon. With operational emissions gradually decreasing due to grid decarbonization, the focus has shifted toward emissions from materials and construction activities. Prefabrication has emerged as a promising approach to tackle this challenge, but its benefits remain underexplored due to the absence of reliable benchmarks and frameworks. This research introduces a BIM-integrated carbon accounting framework designed to address this gap, providing new insights into the sustainability of prefabricated steel-framed buildings. Significance of Embodied Carbon in Prefabricated Construction Embodied carbon has become a critical research area in architecture and construction, given its growing contribution to the built environment’s carbon footprint. While prefabrication offers clear advantages in reducing on-site ...

Architecture plays a pivotal role in addressing global carbon emission reduction by integrating renewable energy, sustainable urban planning, and green industrial practices within the built environment. This study highlights how a holistic architectural approach can reduce carbon footprints, combining design innovation with renewable technologies like solar and wind energy, and embedding urban strategies such as green roofs, passive design, and electric mobility. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, architecture is positioned as a driver of climate-responsive development that aligns ecological responsibility with economic growth. Renewable Energy Integration in Architectural Design The integration of renewable energy into architectural systems represents a crucial step toward carbon-neutral buildings. Research emphasizes the application of solar photovoltaics, building-integrated wind systems, and energy-efficient façade designs. These strategies demonstrate how renewable energy...

Smart buildings are rapidly becoming a vital part of sustainable development, offering solutions that enhance energy efficiency, improve user comfort, and reduce environmental impact. However, their adoption in Nigeria and other developing nations remains limited due to cost constraints, lack of expertise, and insufficient awareness. This study highlights the urgent need to analyze the financial implications of smart building adoption, focusing particularly on Abuja as a case study. Cost Implications of Smart Building Implementation The study emphasizes that the most significant challenge in smart building development is the high cost of hardware components, which often discourages investors and builders. These financial barriers create a widening gap between traditional construction practices and smart building adoption, particularly in markets with limited financial incentives. Cost analysis becomes an essential step in identifying realistic approaches to reducing expenses without ...