Effective minimisation of construction material waste has demonstrated that environmental pollution arising from construction activities can be reduced. Yet, there is insufficient knowledge on the role of architects in minimising waste, especially at the design phase. The purpose of this article is to identify the causes, barriers, approaches, driving factors to waste minimisation and to investigate strategies employed by architects at the design phase. This study adopted a survey questionnaire with both open and close-ended questions to elicit information from architects in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Empirical results indicate that the major cause of waste at the design phase is the client’s last minutes changes to design. Lack of training and design for flexibility and adaptability were the top barrier and approach to construction waste minimisation respectively. The driving factors were training, waste management policy and legislation while the top three strategies employed by the architects are modular coordination, proper detailing and market survey. Findings recommend that a design checklist be created and implemented, that waste minimisation options be considered and that architects take more responsibility for their actions during the design phase.

有效减少建筑材料浪费已证明可以减少建筑活动引起的环境污染。然而，关于建筑师在最大程度减少浪费方面的作用的知识不足，尤其是在设计阶段。本文的目的是确定导致浪费最小化的原因，障碍，方法，驱动因素，并研究建筑师在设计阶段采用的策略。这项研究采用了带有开放式和封闭式问题的调查问卷，以从尼日利亚翁多州阿库雷市的建筑师那里获取信息。实证结果表明，在设计阶段浪费的主要原因是客户对设计的最后几分钟的更改。缺乏针对灵活性和适应性的培训和设计分别是最大程度地减少建筑垃圾的障碍和方法。驱动因素是培训，废物管理政策和法规，而建筑师采用的三大策略是模块化协调，适当的详细设计和市场调查。研究结果建议创建并实施设计清单，考虑将废物最小化的方案，并让建筑师在设计阶段对其行为承担更多责任。