Home / Current Issue / Paper 1722112
Evaluation of the Impact of Climate-Responsive Design Strategies on Thermal Comfort and Student Health in Architecture Buildings at Caleb University, Lagos, Nigeria
Subject area: Physical Sciences and Environment · Area of research: Sustainable Architecture
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I2-1722112
Abstract
This study evaluated the influence of climate-responsive design strategies on thermal comfort and student health in the Architecture Building at Caleb University, Lagos. In Lagos' hot-humid climate, poor ventilation, excessive heat gain, and inadequate shading can create uncomfortable indoor environments that adversely affect students' well-being, concentration, and academic of performance. The study examined key passive design elements, including building orientation, natural ventilation, shading devices, and material selection, and assessed their impact on indoor environmental quality. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected through the administration of 350 structured questionnaires to undergraduate and postgraduate architecture students. Out of the 350 questionnaires distributed, 217 were successfully returned and found suitable for analysis, representing a response rate of 62.0%. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques, including frequencies, percentages, mean scores, standard deviations, and ranking. The findings established the relationship between climate-responsive architectural design, thermal comfort, and students' health outcomes. The study provides practical recommendations for improving thermal comfort and promoting healthier learning environments through the application of climate-responsive design strategies in tertiary institutions.
Keywords
Architecture Building, Climate-Responsive Design, Performance Evaluation, Student Health, Thermal Comfort.
References
[1] Addy, M. N., Aigbavboa, C., & Kwofie, T. E. (2026). Climate-Responsive Building Design. In Decarbonization of Building Energy in Developing Countries (pp. 7–25). Springer.
[2] Al-Shamkhee, D., Al-Aasam, A. B., Al-Waeli, A. H. A., Abusaibaa, G. Y., & Moria, H. (2022). Passive cooling techniques for ventilation: an updated review. Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability, 7, 23.
[3] Ali Sargazi, M., & Tahbaz, M. (2022). Effects of climate responsive strategies and adaptive behavior of occupants on thermal comfort in indoor environments of vernacular architecture: A review of necessities and goals. NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning), 21(2), 1–19.
[4] ASAJU, O. A., ADELORE, C., ONAMADE, A. O., ADEWUMI, J. B., ODUBANJO, G. A., WILLIAMS, G. O., & OYELEYE, E. O. (2025). Assessing thermal comfort and its impact on student satisfaction in selected hostels at Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State. FUDMA Journal of Engineering and Technology, 1(2), 76–82.
[5] Asaju, O. A., Olusada, M., Adelore, C., Onamade, A. O., & Otunnoyo, G. A. (2025). The Effect of the Design Studio Environment on the Mental Well-Being of Architecture Students in Selected Universities in Nigeria. Global Forum for Sustainable Built Environment Conference, 1585–1594.
[6] Asaju, O., Alagbe, O., & Adetona, O. (2022). Investigation of Indoor Environmental Quality of Lecture Rooms on Students’ Comfort in Selected Polytechnics, Lagos, Nigeria. Construction Industry Development Board Postgraduate Research Conference, 54–63.
[7] Asaju, O., Onamade, A., Chukwuka, O., Odefadehan, C., & Alagbe, O. (2024). IEQ of Studio Environment on Academic Performance of Architectural Students at Caleb University, Lagos, Nigeria. Middle Eastern Journal of Research in Education and Social Sciences, 5(1), 1–7.
[8] Azli, M., Khasri, M. A., Hariri, A., Yao, C. Z., Damanhuri, A. A. M., & Mustafa, M. S. S. (2022). Pilot study on investigation of thermal sensation votes (TSV) and students’ performance in naturally ventilated classroom. Environment and Ecology Research, 10(4), 508–517.
[9] Dennis, A., Daramola, O., Anjorin, O. G., & Olushola, D. O. (2024). Assessing Occupant Satisfaction in Mary Hall Residence at Caleb University, Lagos. African Journal of Environmental Sciences and Renewable Energy, 17(1), 86–97.
[10] Elnaklah, R., Ayyad, Y., Alnusairat, S., AlWaer, H., & AlShboul, A. (2023). A comparison of students’ thermal comfort and perceived learning performance between two types of university halls: architecture design studios and ordinary lecture rooms during the heating season. Sustainability, 15(2), 1142.
[11] Environment, B., & Development, S. (2024). Built Environment and Sustainable Development. 2018, 31–45.
[12] Grassie, D., Milczewska, K., Renneboog, S., Scuderi, F., & Dimitroulopoulou, S. (2025). Impact of indoor air quality, including thermal conditions, in educational buildings on health, wellbeing, and performance: a scoping review. Environments, 12(8), 261.
[13] Karimi, H., & Farivarsadri, G. (2025). Investigating collaborative learning in architectural design studios from the instructors’ perspective. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, 15(1), 130–157.
[14] Kuranlıoğlu, D., & Tunahan, G. I. (2025). Designing Climate-Responsive Learning Environments: Rethinking Educational Buildings Across Türkiye’s Diverse Climatic Zones. Erciyes Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, 41(1), 282–317.
[15] Lyu, J., Pitt, M., & Deveci, M. (2025). Analysing thermal comfort perception of students in university classrooms in London. Building and Environment, 279(March), 113086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.113086
[16] Mustapha, T. D., Hassan, A. S., Hafeez, M., Nasir, A., & Onubi, O. (2022). An Investigation of Thermal Comfort in Classrooms in the Tropical Savanna Climate. 1(1), 62–75.
[17] Orysiak, J., Młynarczyk, M., Bugajska, J., & Łastowiecka-Moras, E. (2025). Hydration of Workers in Thermal Environments—Practical Recommendation. Nutrients, 18(1), 64.
How to cite this paper
@article{1722112,
author = {Asaju Opeyemi, Fagbola Oluwateniolafunmi D., Oginni Princess D., Oladipo Iyanuolu M., Gbemudu Ikechukwu E.},
title = {Evaluation of the Impact of Climate-Responsive Design Strategies on Thermal Comfort and Student Health in Architecture Buildings at Caleb University, Lagos, Nigeria},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {2},
pages = {637-647},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1722112.pdf},
abstract = {This study evaluated the influence of climate-responsive design strategies on thermal comfort and student health in the Architecture Building at Caleb University, Lagos. In Lagos' hot-humid climate, poor ventilation, excessive heat gain, and inadequate shading can create uncomfortable indoor environments that adversely affect students' well-being, concentration, and academic of performance. The study examined key passive design elements, including building orientation, natural ventilation, shading devices, and material selection, and assessed their impact on indoor environmental quality. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected through the administration of 350 structured questionnaires to undergraduate and postgraduate architecture students. Out of the 350 questionnaires distributed, 217 were successfully returned and found suitable for analysis, representing a response rate of 62.0%. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques, including frequencies, percentages, mean scores, standard deviations, and ranking. The findings established the relationship between climate-responsive architectural design, thermal comfort, and students' health outcomes. The study provides practical recommendations for improving thermal comfort and promoting healthier learning environments through the application of climate-responsive design strategies in tertiary institutions.},
keywords = {Architecture Building, Climate-Responsive Design, Performance Evaluation, Student Health, Thermal Comfort.},
month = {August},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I2-1722112}
}