The Integration of 4IR Technologies in Architectural Education for Upskilling the Workforce in the Nigerian Built Environment

There is an increasing awareness and adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies in the Architectural, Engineering and Construction, Operations and Management (AECOM) industry. This has placed significant pressures on academia to develop and produce graduates who are equipped with literacy skills to seamlessly transit into the world of work after graduation. However, universities in developing nations such as Nigeria have struggled to integrate 4IR technologies such as visualization tools into their curricula. This study filled this gap by exploring the various 4IR technologies that are relevant for teaching architectural designs and 3D visualization in the architecture discipline. This study further explained how these technologies can be employed in architectural education to improve students understanding of the design and building processes, thus equipping them for the world of work. The objectives were achieved by reviewing existing theoretical literature on how 4IR technologies can promote the upskilling of architectural students learning. Findings from this study revealed that the integration of 4IR technologies in architectural education can enhance students understanding of the design and construction processes and upskill them for greater productivity in the industry. This study therefore recommended the integration of 4IR technologies in architecture education and generally in AECO disciplines for improved learning outcomes and employability of the students. This study also offers a reference point as well as directions for future research in exploring other 4IR technologies for technology-enhanced architecture pedagogy.