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The Vision Group’s Homes and Construction Expo, that will take place this Saturday, October 14 and Sunday15 at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds is a must-attend. 

Under the theme, Innovations, Standards and Opportunities, visitors to the event stand the chance to interact with the best service providers in the homes and construction sector. 

With an entry fee of sh10,000, attendees will also have an opportunity to interface with industry experts like architects, engineers, physical planners and interior decorators, who will be facilitating during panel discussions and workshops. 

 Speaking of architecture, Abdu Wahab Nyanzi, an architect says architectural services are as important a healthy living environment and wellness. 

Everyone retires to some kind of abode at the end of the day. In all fairness, such accommodation should be designed by an architect. “All kind of accommodation to which we retire to at the end of our work day requires an architect's touch. 

All aspects that speak to healthy and organised living can only be addressed through good technical of professionals,” he explains. 

Nyanzi says slums are considered as some of the lowest of living areas, for example, but we know that some slums have high-end housing designed by architects. 

The low-end housing is what has not benefited from services of architects much. 

It is, therefore, high time that dwellers or landlords in those areas adopted architectural services to enable them build even cheaper houses in an orderly manner. 

Architecture is embedded in all our living and working environments. People experience it all the time, but have never understood that it does not sit in the cement and brick - it is all around us. 

“There is, therefore, need to educate Ugandans that architects are ready to serve them any time and within their financial means. The Uganda Society of Architects has taken lead in this by holding sensitisation clinics and education camps in the country. Ultimately with continuous education of the mases, the message shall be taken home,” Nyanzi says.

 Fake plans

Robert Kiggundu, the outgoing chairman of Architects Registration Board says the cause of collapsing buildings goes beyond architecture and building plans. 

This does not exonerate cases where professional negligence has been found. For instance, a number of buildings collapse because property owners did not employ professionals in the first place. 

Nyanzi adds that man property developers think that once they have plans, they can supervise and manage their construction projects on their own. 

How wrong! “You need the services of the architect from inception to occupation of the building. There is a lot that happens during construction that only an architect can advise on. 

It should be remembered that construction is a very expensive venture which should not be left in the hands of armatures. The option to use unqualified people to direct expenditure of one's hard-earned savings is unthinkable,” he says.

 Must every building have a plan? 

Everything constructed must have a plan starting with pit latrine, says Kiggundu.  

“When you go to junctions around Kampala there are small little buildings, they have put up which are control centres for traffic lights. I am sorry to say that they look so ugly where they have been placed. Just looking at them is a clear indication that no architecture was involved at all in their conceptualization.” 

According to him, however small a building maybe, an architect must be involved in getting it beautiful and functional. 

“Many houses are just built, without being functional. The corridors are in the wrong place and the doors swing in the wrong direction,” Kiggundu deliberated.