Architecture thrives on excellence – Maduka

A renowned architect, Charles Maduka, has described architecture as a profession that thrives on excellence.

He said great buildings should demonstrate “innovative thinking and excellence of execution.”

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In a statement made available to Daily Trust, Maduka of M&C DS Architects, said: “Architecture thrives on excellence because every building is distinct and impliedly competitive. However the significance of every building depends largely on the nature of her influence on the immediate environments. 

“Great buildings are iconic and should demonstrate visionary, innovative thinking and excellence of execution. Iconic buildings are the true faces of where they are situated.” 

Maduka who described architecture as “an intentional act of erecting a building, not just with common sense but also with artistry,” added that “Time and location are two fundamental factors that may determine the importance of any building.”

He explained that architecture as a product of time needs location to become an object of reference. 

“Every successful piece of architecture has pre-construction and post-construction stages.

“Besides, a potential site comes after due consideration on the type and functions of the proposed building, environmental impact, cultural relevance and socio-economic imperatives.

“Building form and functions are greatly influenced by climate. In the same vein, a season by a simple definition is a period in the year that is distinguished by special climate conditions. Buildings are subject to those variations in environmental conditions. It might be pertinent to stress that every piece of architecture is therefore inseparable from time and geography,” he said.

He further explained that Imhotep, the great Egyptian, who lived around 2600 BCE is the first identified architect in history. He served the Egyptian Pharaoh Djoser and was credited with the designing of the first Egyptian Pyramid complex and the world’s first known extensive stone structure.

He also said every great building is a history maker and history is a function of time, adding that an iconic building is one that could not have been imagined before it was created. 

“It is a building that inserts inspiration into the backdrop of our everyday life. 

“An eminent architect and a pritzker award winner, Frank Gehry puts it thus: ‘Architecture should speak of its time and place but yearn for timelessness’,” he said.