Evaluation of Climate Responsive Hotels Design: A Case Study of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

In a world faced with environmental challenges, there is an immense requirement for dynamic building envelopes that responds to climatic changes. Responsive buildings comprise of building envelope that adjust to changing climatic conditions. As climatic conditions changes, buildings are affected especially in cases of flooding and extreme heat waves impacting on the comfort of inhabitants and the building efficiency. These are ensured by their rigidity and lack of responsiveness to extreme weather conditions. Jos – Plateau being a region with unstable wide range of climatic conditions, was selected as the study area of which Hotel buildings within this region were examined. Three hotels were selected and modelled together with the climatic conditions of the study area. The models were subjected to computer simulation using Autodesk Ecotect Analysis design simulator and Sketchup Pro modelling software, to ascertain the level of responsiveness to climatic changes. The results showed that most hotel buildings in Jos Plateau State are not climate responsive. The study therefore came up with a hotel design model that is climate responsive to tropical climate. Most importantly is that the new design model could be used for the design of hotels in environments with similar climatic conditions. Furthermore, the research recommended that there is need for adoption of responsive strategies in the design of Hotel buildings that are adaptable to change in climatic conditions.