The paper highlights the relevance of integrating construction knowledge with design at the pre-construction stage. The extent to which construction knowledge is factored into the design of building to facilitate ease of construction and achievement of the project objectives has always been a subject of debate. Against this background, this paper examines the perception of stakeholders of building projects, namely, the owners, designers and contractors on the buildability practice in Nigeria. A questionnaire was designed and administered to the selected stakeholders. Results of the response from 42 questionnaire surveys revealed that the stakeholders ranked functionality/client satisfaction as the most important design consideration. In the same way, standardization was considered as the most important buildability attribute. Stakeholders’ overall ranking also showed that design and build is the most favored method in terms of support to buildability. Furthermore, joint design review by designers and builders/constructors at the early design stage was ranked as the most effective means of enhancing ease of construction among some suggested methods. The outcome of the research would assist in understanding the critical issues impacting buildability improvement within the context of the building construction industry in Nigeria.

The need to improve the integration of design and production processes in the construction industry has been well reported in literature. Numerous problems, mostly influenced by poor designs/deficits in designers’ knowledge and understanding of the construction process, do not become noticeable until the site work begins (Mbamali et al., 2005). These developments have in recent times aroused interest in the concepts of buildability; a concept that links the design and the construction phase in construction (Trigunarsyah, 2004; and Wong et al., 2006a). The interaction of the construction knowledge at the early design phase offers the best opportunity to develop the overall project performance in the construction industry (CII, 1987 and 1993; Hanlon and Sanvido, 1995; Fischer and Tatum, 1997; and Yang et al., 2003).

Mendelsohn (1997) suggested that problems impacting the design should be examined at the early stage of the project cycle and should accommodate the integration of construction proficiency into the design process so that it meets all the design obligations, including aesthetics, at the lowest reasonable cost. In Nigeria, like in the UK, the embodiment of technical knowledge of the building production process and site operation for building works is vested in the builder, while designers of building (Architects) specialize in the liberal art of decoration of buildings (Mbamali et al., 2005).

Nevertheless, project owners are becoming more aware of the benefits of fast delivery. Hence, buildings are required to be completed on time, within the tender price, to the required quality and with ease to use and maintain. The input of construction knowledge during the design phase is especially necessary to achieve this goal (McCullouch, 1996; and Tindiwensi, 2006).

Trigunarsyah (2004) observed that studies in the US, UK and Australia have confirmed that improved buildability has led to major savings in the cost and time of construction projects. The CII (1987) has also reported the benefits of implementing buildability, especially in terms of saving the cost and time.

This paper examines the perception of the stakeholders’ on the buildability practice. The study was carried out by administering a structured questionnaire to selected stakeholders—owners, designers and contractors of building projects in Nigeria.

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