Journal of Physical Science and Environmental Studies

Research Paper|Published July, 2026|Vol. 12(3):32-40.

https://doi.org/10.36630/jpses_26016

 

Assessing Sustainable Architectural Designs in Tropical Climates, Contextual Strategies for Nigerian Architects

 

Okor Michael Uduma

 

Department of Architecture, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.

 

ABSTRACT

This study investigates sustainable architectural design practices in Nigeria's tropical climate, focusing on contextual strategies for effective implementation. The study  evaluated  current sustainable design practices in Nigerian architecture, identified climate-responsive strategies suitable for Nigeria's tropical climate, and proposed  guidelines for integrating sustainable design principles into Nigerian architectural education and professional practice in Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach, comprising  surveys and interviews with 210 architects and engineers, was employed to assess awareness, adoption, and the factors influencing  sustainable design strategies. The results show that natural ventilation had  the highest awareness rate (90.5%), followed by solar control (85.7%), local materials (81.0%), and rainwater harvesting (76.2%). Despite these high awareness levels,, adoption rates were lower, suggesting  the presence of barriers such as high implementation costs, limited technical expertise, and other practical constraints . Correlation analysis indicated that years of experience were positively correlated with the adoption of sustainable design strategies, with natural ventilation exhibiting  the strongest relationship (r = 0.45, p = 0.001). Furthermore, multiple regression analysis showed that awareness (β = 0.50, p = 0.001), years of professional experience (β = 0.30, p = 0.005), and geographic location (β = 0.20, p = 0.010) were significant predictors of the adoption of sustainable design strategies. . The study concludes that Nigeria's built environment is expanding rapidly in response to the growing  demand for residential, commercial, and institutional buildings. his rapid growth underscores the need to adopt sustainable design principles that are tailored to the country's unique environmental, climatic, and socio-economic context. Nigeria's tropical climate, characterized by high temperatures, intense solar radiation, high humidity, and seasonal heavy rainfall, requires climate-responsive architectural solutions that enhance occupant comfort while minimizing environmental impacts. Achieving sustainable design therefore requires the integration of context-specific strategies that reflect local climatic conditions, cultural preferences, available resources, and economic realities. Such an approach will promote the development of resilient, resource-efficient, and environmentally responsible buildings that effectively respond to Nigeria's ecological and socio-cultural needs while supporting long-term sustainable development.

Key Words: Sustainable design, tropical climate, contextual strategies, natural ventilation, climate-responsive strategies.

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