A REVIEW ON THE EFFICIENCY OF THE USE OF SOFTWARE IN ENHANCING ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

Architectural software has changed the way buildings are conceived, developed, represented and communicated. Yet software efficiency is not simply a question of how quickly a drawing can be produced. It depends on how well a tool supports the stage of design for which it is used, how easily information can move between stages, the skill of the designer, and the resources available to the practice. This paper reviews the efficiency of software used in architectural design, with particular attention to two-dimensional (2D) drafting, three-dimensional (3D) modelling and animation/visualisation software. Evidence from Nigerian architectural practice and widerarchitectural computing literature was examined to identify the practical contribution of each category. The review shows that 2D software remains important for accurate drafting and documentation, while 3D software improves spatial understanding, design development and communication. Animation extends visualisation from static representation to movement through space and can make a proposed building easier for clients and non-specialists to understand. Nigerian evidence also shows that software use is concentrated on drawing, modelling, visualisation and detailing, while more advanced analytical and collaborative functions remain less developed. Cost, training, hardware, organisational readiness and weak client demand continue to limit wider digital adoption. The paper concludes that software is most efficient when the architect selects the appropriate tool for the design task and combines 2D, 3D and animation workflows rather than treating one software category as a complete solution.