Preliminary research as used by practising architects in Lagos, Nigeria

A design process is universal and flexible, providing designers with a cyclic-path in thinking out solutions to design problems. A design process, therefore, acts as mediation between the design problem and design decisions through the three basic activities of 'analysis', 'synthesis' and 'evaluation'. Preliminary research is an important phase of the design process. The preliminary research stage of the design process is a vital tool in solving the design problem of a variety of clients the architect meets. The study aimed at accessing the use of preliminary research by practising architects in Lagos, Nigeria. The study found that preliminary research is being carried out by a large percentage of architects in Lagos, Nigeria and that preliminary research was found relatively relevant to their design at different stages. Case studies on previous projects and study of the proposed users of the design to identify their needs are the predominant methods used for preliminary research. The study recommends ways to improve the application of preliminary research in the practice form the start of architecture schools.