Evaluation of Natural Cooling Strategies of Faculty Buildings in Nigeria: The Case for Sustainable Faculty of Architecture

Abstract

This paper addresses the critical role of sustainable design in promoting energy efficiency in educational structures, with a specific focus on faculty buildings. Given the challenges posed by high energy consumption in these buildings, driven by factors such as energy-intensive equipment and extended operational hours, the study investigates users' perceptions of the efficiency of natural cooling strategies in Nigerian faculty buildings. Acknowledging the intricate relationship between thermal comfort and sustainable design, the research employs a quantitative approach, gathering insights from both staff and students through distributed questionnaires in two Nigerian universities. The robust 82% response rate from 328 returned surveys, coupled with secondary data, reveals the significance of design elements like tree shade, window placement, and functional corridors in establishing sustainable and comfortable learning environments. The study identifies variations in the effectiveness of natural cooling strategies, emphasising the necessity for customised solutions. Thermal buffers and strategic site planning are notably found to contribute to reducing energy consumption and enhancing indoor comfort in faculty buildings. The research advocates for tailored, context-specific sustainable building designs to address environmental concerns and promote healthier indoor environments in faculty buildings. It recommended continued exploration of natural cooling strategies in future studies for advancing the energy-efficient and comfortable design of faculty buildings.