Assessment of Natural Lighting Conditions and Architecture Students' Satisfaction in Architectural Studios of Selected Universities in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Natural lighting is an important component of architectural studio design because it enhances visual comfort, learning efficiency, and energy sustainability. However, despite the favourable daylight conditions in Southwestern Nigeria, many architectural studios continue to experience inadequate daylight performance, resulting in increased dependence on artificial lighting. This study assessed the natural lighting conditions and architecture students' satisfaction with natural lighting in selected universities in Southwestern Nigeria. A descriptive research design within a mixed-method approach was adopted. Four universities with purpose-built architectural studios were selected, and data were collected from 318 architecture students using structured questionnaires, complemented by field observations and illuminance measurements. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, and mean score, were employed for data analysis. The findings showed that 66.9% of the respondents were male, while 33.1% were female, with 62.9% aged between 15 and 20 years. The assessment revealed that although natural lighting was available in the selected studios, its adequacy and distribution varied considerably due to differences in building orientation, window design, and daylighting features. Consequently, students reported only moderate satisfaction with the existing daylight conditions, particularly regarding visual comfort during detailed studio activities. The study concludes that effective daylighting in architectural studios depends on the integration of appropriate passive design strategies that improve daylight distribution while minimizing glare. It recommends that universities adopt daylight-responsive design principles, including optimized window configuration, effective external shading devices, and regular post-occupancy evaluations, to improve students' visual comfort, satisfaction, and the overall quality of architectural learning environments.