CLIMATE-RESPONSIVE ARCHITECTURE IN SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF CLIMATE ANALYSIS AND DESIGN ADAPTATION IN A SELECTED TOWN

Abstract

Climate is a crucial factor in building design worldwide; significantly impacting the physiological comfort of occupants, particularly in indoor spaces. However in Nigeria, the majority of climate-related research has focused primarily on Agriculture and Aviation sectors, overlooking the importance of climate on construction in building design. This paper examined and analyzed the climate pattern of Ede, town in South West Nigeria with a view to suggesting appropriate guidelines for designing Climate-Responsive Buildings. Average climatic data of Ede for a period of five (5) years were examined and analyzed for building design purpose using Mahoney table. The climatic pattern of the town showed that the annual mean temperature values are high for most of the years with 35,534.80C, 34.60C, 33.20C, 33.10C, 32.00C, 31.30C and 30.90C for the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively. The average outdoor wind speed is low having 1.51m/s as highest. The annual mean values of solar radiation are high and constant. The climate in Ede is marked by persistently high temperatures, causing resident discomfort. Adequate air movement is essential for relief. To address this, combining passive cooling strategies with air movement can be effective. One approach is using thermal mass with night ventilation to enhance comfort. Southwest Nigeria's climate varies significantly, so it's essential to consider local climatic conditions when designing buildings in the region.