INTEGRATION OF CLIMATE RESPONSIVE BUILDING ELEMENTS IN THE DESIGN OF FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY BIRNIN KEBBI

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Traditionally, buildings were designed based on the pre conditions given by the surrounding environment, along with available natural resources to create comfortable and safe places. But nowadays, with the advent of mechanical method of heating and cooling, buildings have become less connected to their specific environment and more dependent on technical systems to comfort spaces, thereby consuming large amount of energy and harming the ecosystems of the environment through the use of fossill fuels. Application of climate responsive building elements adapts a building to its environment by moderating the outdoor climatic conditions to improve performance. This thesis aims at integrating climate responsive building elements in the design of faculty of environmental studies. The study area selected is Federal University Birnin Kebbi in Nigeria, based on the extreme climatic conditions of intense solar radiation and temperature, hence the study area provides the opportunity to investigate the effects of harsh weather on faculty buildings in the region. Three faculty buildings were randomly selected in the study area, modelled and analysed with the existing climatic data, using Ecotect simulation software. The simulation of the buildings was based on peak period of solar radiation (February, March, April, May and June) and extreme recorded temperature of a single day (45oC of 10th April 2011). The results of the simulation show a slightly better performance along the East and West functions of the faculty buildings housing major functions (at 45oC having an average differential temperature of 1 to 3 when compared with the outdoor environment in all the three selected faculty buildings) and a considerable better performance along the North and South functions of the faculty buildings housing lesser functions (at 45oC having an average differential temperature of 3 to 6). A proposed climate conscious design faculty having an integration of courtyard veranders and shading devices was then simulated to compare with the selected case studies. Results of the simulation showed a better performance than all the selected existing case studies (having a temperature moderation level of 3.5-6 along major functions). From the findings of the research, it has been concluded that the designers of the faculty buildings did not take into consideration the extreme climatic conditions of the micro climate as illustrated with lack of good design orientation leading to the overall exposure of building elements to the climate. Climate conscious design approach not only can improve performance moderation of buildings but can as well reduce the emission of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere by reducing excess use of energy. The study recommends the enforcement of policies on planning regulations that will require all designers to have a synergic design approach showing relationship between building elements and micro climate.