PERCEPTIONS OF ARCHITECTS AND CLIENTS AS RELATED TO THE NOMOTHETIC ROLE OF ARCHITECTS IN DECISION MAKING PROCESS OF PROGRAMMING AND PARTICIPATION OF THE SIGNIFICANT OTHERS AT THE DIFFERENT STAGES OF ANALYTICAL DESIGN

Statement of the Problem. The first purpose of this study was to assess the consensus or difference of perceptions among the architects, clients and experts on the functions of architects and clients in analytical design process. The second objective was to examine participation at various stages of programming. A third purpose of this study was to evaluate the mission of programming from the perceptions of practicing architects and experts. Procedures. The procedures of the study were: (1) review of literature on programming, and role of architects, clients in programming; (2) design of questionnaire; (3) identification of subjects; (4) interview with practicing architects; (5) data collected from experts and clients; (6) presentation and analysis of data; (7) conclusions and implications. Findings. Statistically. A significant difference was found between the experts, clients and architects on: (1) architect\u27s advocacy role; (2) client\u27s responsibility to provide information in respect of initial budget; (3) client\u27s responsibility to clarify user needs, functional requirements, and space relationships; (4) client\u27s responsibility to examine architect\u27s ideas about form, function and economy; (5) who should participate at the six stages of programming viz; goal identification; fact findings; development of concept; needs identifications; problem identifications; and review stage. A statistically significant difference was recorded between the experts and the practicing architects on the purpose of programming as: (1) a source of design ideas; (2) a means of resolving value differences; (3) a learning source for the participants; (4) a forum for architect to present personal ideas; (5) a means of identifying value differences; (6) a means of planning design strategies. Conclusion. It was concluded that the data of this study supported the basic hypotheses relating the perceptions of the architects, clients and experts on the role of architects, clients in programming; degree of participation in programming; and above all the definition of programming