Impact of Parametric Design Tools on Working Drawings and Specifications within the Nigerian Construction Industry
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Abstract
Working drawings and specifications continue to be a source of inefficiencies, mistakes, and delays in the Nigerian construction industry. This is mostly because of antiquated procedures and a lack of use of digital tools like parametric design and Building Information Modelling (BIM). In Nigeria's construction industry, this study examines how parametric design tools can enhance the quality of documentation, drawing accuracy, and specification clarity. To ensure relevance, 539 Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) professionals were chosen through purposive sampling, and a structured questionnaire was used as part of a quantitative approach. Although parametric tools are only moderately effective at reducing errors (mean score: 3.12), they significantly improve flexibility (mean score: 3.41) and streamline workflows (mean score: 3.35). With adopters reporting a 40% decrease in change orders, BIM integration showed promise. Though only 18% of professionals use sophisticated parametric tools like Dynamo or Grasshopper, adoption barriers include high costs, skill gaps, and infrastructure deficiencies (such as unstable electricity). Tool adoption and better project outcomes were found to be statistically significantly correlated (p < 0.05), especially in Lagos, where 87.94% of respondents were based. Practical ramifications include the requirement for focused training initiatives, changes to laws to encourage the adoption of digital technology, and cloud-based solutions to alleviate infrastructure constraints. Parametric design has the potential to revolutionise Nigeria's construction documentation practices, according to this study's empirical data, which also highlights context-specific issues that need to be resolved for scalable implementation.
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