**3.3 3D computers graphics and architecture symbiotic relationship**

The design process is initially done with a pencil, a ruler, a scale rule, and paper. Then, the process takes a longer time, and relatively inaccurate and significantly limited. Yet they are marvelous works of the likes of Frank Floyd Wright, and alike. Conversely, limitations were significantly broken with new construction materials, and computer aided design (CAD) gave birth to a greater freedom evidenced in architectural expression clustered under Deconstructivism [41, 42]. Libeskind, Zaha Hadid are few Deconstructivists, see **Figure 1**. The use of modern technologies extends throughout the entire design with distorted surfaces, odd leanings, and fractured wall surfaces. Indeed, possible due to speed, fluidity, and accuracy delivered by CAD which significantly relieved architects of time required for complex forms; for more quality family life or creative endeavors. Also, architectural studios are looking very different compared to a decade ago [42]. In Nigeria, the studios are sluggishly adapting, see **Figure 2**.

Indeed, things have changed with the introduction of CAD and significant architectural practice uses CAD: few are ArchiCAD, Revit, BIM, Chief Architect,

**Figure 1.** *A fit for Deconstructivism by Zaha Hayed. Credit UNSPLASH.*

**Figure 2.** *Architecture studio: sleepless nights. Credit: Allison.*

*Leveraging on Data Sciences: Review of Architectural Practice and Education in Nigeria DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.103097*

Lumen360, and Sketchup. These tools make easy the organization of data to be more meaningful visually. Thus, in use more commonly among young people who are quick to practice even as students, heavily patronized by clients seeking for cheap labor and thus, compounding the problem of quackery in Nigeria.

More, 5G, 7D are merging to further reshape the design terrains and how architects work. In [43] the symbiotic partnership (man-computer) will enable "men will set the goals, formulate the hypothesis, determine the criteria, and perform the evaluations. Computing machines will do the routinizable work that must be done to prepare the way for insights and decisions in technical and scientific thinking." Design process is not linear, but cyclic for user experience designer because efforts are continually made satisfy the users leaving assumption behind and uncover alternative solutions" [44]. The CAD tools have made the iterative processes easy because design for real people not machines and robots imply understanding complex processes [41, 44]. Further, it empowers the client to make more informed contribution to the design process. From the lens of digital humanities and national development, 3D Computer Graphics is, for example, contributed to the restored sense of pride and patriotism among Chinese young people [45]. The regeneration of the Summer Palace from ruin has turned the once idle ruins into tourist site. With 3D computer graphics the beauty and splendor of the Summer Palace has been fully animated. The ruin site thronged with Chinese young people restored, reliving the past, appreciating the true stories of Summer Palace [45].

All above, 3D computer graphic is important, and noteworthy is the important role played by architects in identifying standardizing, creating symbols, and elements for extracted from ethnographic studies by architects in use by 3D computer graphic community. The standard elements, symbols, minimum dimensions, and other research driven data stored and published in the 680-page Neufert Architects Data authored by an architect, Ernst Neufert indeed testify to interdependent and mutually benefit from each other's progress (see [38]). More benefits are on the horizon, with Metaverse and creator economy is one the fastest growing sector; in terms of income generation, job creation, and export earnings [20]. View supported in [46] as Internet of value ((IoV), Web3.0, discussed the "risky necessity" "datafication," "dematerialization," "platformisation," in addition to social and resource value awareness" (see [44, 46]) architects as potentially key benefactor will have increasing role to play.

#### **3.4 Architect, as data scientist**

Architectural production includes: cities, homes, furniture, and more. In addition, it takes a minimum range of 5-6 year to be qualified to pursue full professional or chartered membership in Nigeria. Thus, architecture is a rigorous and highly educated profession [33] and in [47] architecture as toughest major in America from 2017 survey of global students'survey by students. An architectural study is one with high incidence of sleep deprivation among students, **Figure 2**. While architects rely on quantitative and qualitative analysis of data to recommend and make decisions, architectures consume about 55% global electricity and contribute about 38% of total global energy related Carbon IV Oxide (CO2) waste into the environment [48]. As by-product of architecture, big data is elucidated below focusing on waste paper generated in office activities and how big data can be captured for recycling.

The consulting office is involved in design through tender processes to construction, including post-construction activities. The activities are usually accompanied the shredded waste papers which remain useless not until the following action is carried out:


For instance, assuming the office used and trashed a ton of A4 papers from design to completion of a 1500 square meter floor areas shopping mall. Then, a useful data/ information is "1 metric tons of paper wasted per 1500square meter floor area shopping mall; also, 0.67 kilogram of paper per square meter floor area." Another data or information has environmental implications. For example, if producing A4 paper consumes 2-13 litre of clean water (as in [49]) and 52 Kilojoules of electricity in 2015 (as in [50]). Then, the hidden environmental cost of 1 metric ton of A4 paper equals: 0.4–2.6 millions liters of clean water and 10.4 million Kilojoules of electricity to produce 200000 A4 papers as trash). Further, (see Appendix 1) complex data table can be developed by substituting, one at a time, paper with electricity, gasoline, diesel, water, ink, timber off cuts, and more. Comprehensive and AI-Blockchain integrated smart table can predict, recommend, and support decisions, including climate change mitigation strategies. For example, in [51] was business case for Blockchain Carbon trading.

Methodology:

The architect's systematic process is with a loop of thinking, making (build detailed and engaging models), breaking (open to criticism) and repeating (gathering feedback) [52]. Like all sciences, architecture has laws, principles, and theories guiding actions including the manipulations of *numeric and categorial data, structured and unstructured data.* For example:


Supporting the claim of the science and statistic skills demanded of the architects is in [53, 54]. The use SPSS, graph and reports, of *z-score, t-score, normal distribution*

#### *Leveraging on Data Sciences: Review of Architectural Practice and Education in Nigeria DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.103097*

*curve* to generalize findings by architects is common. Architects perform *regression analysis* to determine relationship between architectural productions and users' demographics. Indeed, scholars disagree architecture is more complex than machines because humans are not machines. These are useful for decision making [54, 55]: as consultant, public policy maker. For example,


Finally, the architect is *open to criticism, creative*, *team player, analytical, numerate*, with products aimed at making *impact in society*. The data gathered and generated from the above are appropriately managed and stored in the cloud (Google, IBM provide cloud storage services), Dropbox, and alike for easy access and use, including updating data outside the office. Each circle yields more data and progressively better the Design; called iterations. The point is, the architects collect the data, analyze it, label and classify it, and store it safely. He or she also retrieve and use the same for future project or training manual. All these involve using modern tools. They are consistent requirements of a data scientist [56].

#### **3.5 The city**

#### • Smart city

A term that has been the tonic with the political, built-up space, but most commonly the Smart city is understood to mean only a sophisticated computer driven city or even a "laboratory" in [57]. Conversely, other scholars think smart city is not all about a computer city, but that "the value lies in how this technology is used rather how much of it is used" [58]. In support, the chapter point at the intersection of using computer to identify appropriate data and use of such data appropriately. For instance, **Figure 3** indicates smartness rather than poverty; knowing what is sustainable, available, and using it rather than using what is sophisticated, yet on loan, and not sustainable. In other word, to deliver responsiveness in demand, justice, sense of belonging and wellbeing among city users in addition to availability of internet is smartness. In cities, it implies shared risk, wealth, collective decision making were the individual differences of the majority are significantly respected, rather than being over ruled by a few. In [58] data availability, integrity, confidentiality, accountability and operation laws were identified as canonical. Indeed, these requirements are significantly possible by use of AI-Blockchain technologies which is inspiring the big data sciences. As in [5] so, cities'safety and security can be preserved from detrimental

**Figure 3** *Ijaw stilt house: smart and simple.*

behaviors by data analytics of appropriate big data (extracts of terrorists, cells, deviants). City's infrastructures can be more responsive and preserved by citizens when infrastructures associated decisions, policy and laws are democratic in origin [59].

Poor data can impact cities negatively as earlier demonstrated. With disadvantageous data, subjectivation of the city: (a) cities abating crimes, (b) assume wrong identity, (c) anti-citizenship. The fact, AI-Blockchain can also learn the wrong stuff, if errors are not immediately corrected. In that sense, no matter the level of computer sophistications such cities are not "smart". Increasingly as symbols of exploitation, and battlefields of the winner take it all. Yet worsen by financialization and capitalism. Indeed, worst is the thinking of cities as "laboratory" which may justify why extremist as leaders can imagine turning cities into "radioactive ash" [60].

• Leadership Failure and Impact.

Considering architects' big data capacity, so why the disillusionment? Poor motivation. In a conversation the authors had with scholars of the Port Harcourt Polytechnic O. Wodike, G. Irighmah, C. Chendu, F. Dimabo blamed client's unwillingness to financially commit adequately for architectural services as reason for lack "focused research" required for "every project is unique." Thus, the attendant weak "architectural language" development, and repetitive narrative in cities. Besides, clients do not exclude the government while the "digital transformation is no longer optional" [61]. Therefore, poor data in addition to fragmented data culture in Nigeria's construction industry has enabled the impunity and bad image of the sector. In [62] Executive Director of Project in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) created to provide infrastructural gap in the Niger Delta region, described winning NNDC contract as a winning lottery to emphasize the impunity in the sector. Politicians have hijacked the data management weakness and unrestricted entry.

Today, politicians and public officials seamlessly inflate building and construction projects with a 2021 survey reported 56,000 abandoned projects valued about N12trillion, scattered across Nigerian cities as a result [63]. The construction sector's porosity, simulating a zero knowledge-based sector, has enable misfits into the sector's strategic leadership. Unlike with the health (Federal Ministry of Health), and justice sectors (Federal Ministry of Justice) that allow only doctors and lawyers as ministers and commissioners to head the ministries. In Nigeria, the Ministry of Housing and

*Leveraging on Data Sciences: Review of Architectural Practice and Education in Nigeria DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.103097*

Works, Ministry of Transport, and Niger Delta with huge infrastructural budget have lawyers as ministers with so much power. Expectedly, the misfit may account for the huge "debt implication", "lambasting,' politicizing human right (e.g. right to descent shelter), and corruption [64–66] with impunity. A misfit issue becomes important, with a disadvantageous data management system yet securing infrastructure financing loans from the likes of China [67]. Thus, the demanding leadership and accountability from the construction industry leaders as in **Video** [68].

More details of poor performance:

The Ministry of Transport construction of a USD 1.9 billion standard gauge railway from Kano to the Niger Republic is causing uproar in the Senate, including the citizens [66]. Relative to the dreadful roads plaguing the industrial and commercial hubs, including Wes Africa largest market Onitsha (South east of Nigeria), the Kano-Niger Republic railway is economically disadvantageous; indeed a symbol of marginalization and insecurity as illustrated in **Figure 3** [66]. In Guardian November 10, 2021 , the Nigerian Institute of Surveyor "Call For Subsidence Monitoring & Deformation Study of High Rise Structures" following incessant building and overpass collapses in Nigeria [63].

#### **3.6 Possible information and telecommunication technologies for students**

As matter of emphasis, it is necessary to dedicate a subsection dealing with possible IT technologies. Architects must constantly seek ways to improve their communication tools and channels to clients and all stakeholders. Thus, this subsection will offer in specific and significant detail the possible data technologies for both students and architects; now and into the future. The list of possible IT technologies cannot be exhausted as more are emerging and others evolving fast too. Below paragraph are few in use and to be use by Architecture students and architects:

Excel, Google form, Mind Mapping tools, Google Earth, others for common graphics editors are: Photoshop, Illustrator, Paint Shop Pro, CorelDRAW, cloud strorage. In addition, the Apple Photos plug-in from Macphun, Adobe Lightroom, Digital Image Suite, Canva, and related programs. For designs and animation, 3D data works are Revit, ArchiCAD, BIM, Sketchup, and Mind Mapping software (e.g. Microsoft Mesiere, Yed, see **Figure 4**). While the aforementioned are already in use, the future increasing immersion and free-hand experiences have Microsoft HoloLens 2, SketchUpViewer, demonstrated in Vieo-6. Blockchain, NLP, 7D, 6G, and Digital Twins (DT) as IT technologies the architects will depend in everyday service delivery. A few technologies are discussed next (**Figure 5**).

#### • *Excel*:

In [69] is "a software program created by Microsoft that uses spreadsheets to organize numbers and data with formulas and functions," according to Corporate Finance Institute (CFI). In [70] Excel was described "as a way to create nice looking tables of data – things like building programs or drawing lists." Also, it has mathematical formulas with capacity to analyzing and computing data. ArchiDaily, in the same [70] listed twelve useful Excel formulas for architects few are: SUM, IF, SUMIF, COUNTCOUNTIF, COUNTBLANK, AVERAGE, and more. SUM will enable the performance of mathematical operations on data (i.e. parametric data). "IF" will enable architecture student perform conditional analysis, e.g. IF income is income higher than N300000 monthly group data as "middle income." SUMIF will enable addition of specific group of data if specific condition if fulfilled, e.g. SUM the number clients,

#### **Figure 4.**

*Bubble diagram achieved by 3D computer graphics with arrows indicating human circulation. Credit: Anita Bala.*

#### **Figure 5.**

*3D graphics and Data use is serving as an essential component of computer-assisted learning system. Mix-reality, a future .But current in market at USD45000 with Microsoft HoloLens 2 which is mix- reality headset will be increasingly use for interaction.*

IF income is above N300000monthly. The COUNT function counts specified element in cells, like none parametric data- "Female", "Married" and as such. In addition, Excel makes easy the non-pleasurable aspects in real estate. For instance, the

*Leveraging on Data Sciences: Review of Architectural Practice and Education in Nigeria DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.103097*

management of land related complex and multiple sales demands involve keeping track of different measurable areas, associated varied facilities, areas for outright and installment purchases, and lease areas.

Kilkelly further acknowledged, Excel offered, "a lean and mean Excel spreadsheet accurately calculated the leasable area. Using the formulas I had built, we could quickly play out scenarios for our client" [70]. The point is, Excel is suitable for: Data input, Data management, Accounting, Financial analysis and analytics, Charting and graphing, Programming, Time management, and Task management (as in [69]).

• Tablet and Digital Art

Other than desktop, Laptop, powerful tablets have emerged to take make digital arts easy and handy. Apple Pencil, Gamon PD1560 15.6, Wacom Cintiq 22, Xp-Pen Artist Display 22R Pro, HuionKamvas Pro-Pro 22, while in [71] listed top ten "architecture apps (that) have completely altered the working habits of architects" to include: (a) DroneDeploy "developed to care to the growing need for aerial site intelligent software," (b) "ArchiSnapper is a field reporting App that allows users to efficiently draft a report during site visits- users can take photo, draft and comment and the app generates seamlessly the report,"[71] others are Shapr3D(IOS), and RoomScan Pro. The 3D modeling process produces a digital object of value that can be sold, hired for fee, transferred as valuable gift. One of such object as None Fungible Token (NFT) like rear art can be sold for thousands to millions of dollars. In [72], for instance, the "Artist Beeple's Crossroad fetched \$6.6 million on Nifty." Few architects are now specializing in building NFTs: owning virtual estates, including cartoon characters, and football stadium, like in the real world.

• Blockchain

Looking at HoloLens 2 and SketchUpViewer demonstration, blockchain value emerges as it can permanently keep track of all changes, clients approvals, and serve as basis for undertaking contract. Thus eliminating copyright violation issue, and providing evidence for contract violation. In future, a combination Microsoft Hololens 2, SketchUpViewer, digital twin (DT) technologies, and additive manufacturing or printing all on Blockchain would make it impossible to violate construction in terms of design and specifications. A very common trend in Nigeria: roads built without drainage, kerb removed, and asphalt thickness highly compromised.

• Photoshop, Lightroom, and Adobe Illustrator.

Architectural profession involve the use of photography which good marketing tools and skill. Students are taught photography as core course. It is important in content creation for books, magazines, gallery, and graphical objects enhancement. A picture "is a thousand word" declared wisdom; even so, the quality matters. Adobe Photoshop is one such powerful tool for high quality photo editing. The Lightroom as an editor and organizer is judged much better than most photo editing alternatives tools, including photoshop for easy and light manipulations. For example, with over 100 possible different filters settings Lightroom can improve a given poor quality image to great photograph for different themes: landscape, food, city view at night day, construction sites, presentations, and more. Nevertheless, alternatives to

photoshop are many. Adobe Illustrator, according to the Graphic Design Institute's publication also facilitates creating stunning art.
