APPRAISAL OF THE CLIMATIC RESPONSIVENESS OF THE HEALTH CENTRE BUILDING – OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE

Abstract

One intention of building design is to create a sustaining and healthy atmosphere in which we can deploy our activities, whether these activities are residential, recreational, educational, or work related. The design of a comfortable indoor climate is of great influence on occupant’s health and well-being. This study is focused on appraising the Health Centre Building of Obafemi Awolowo University`s efficiency in producing the required thermal comfort through responsiveness to the local climate or identify its deviations from this germane issue of climate responsiveness. The objectives are not different from the rationale to analyze the climatic data of its location, to identify and examine climate responsive techniques/strategies used in the building, to evaluate the thermal comfort level of users in the building, to identify strategies that could be effective in providing adequate thermal comfort in the building. The climate was analyzed using the Mahoney tables, not excluding the descriptive survey method of gathering data with the administration of questionnaires and the critical observation of the building envelopes. Results from the findings showed the lighting within the building needs to be improved upon, the building space should be made to be quite cool and some of the windows facing the east and west axis are without shading devices. The design recommendations are made on the basis of the remedial actions needed to be taken to alleviate thermal distress which included, shading devices should be provided for windows without shading and facing East or West, Exterior walls should be painted with a more reflective colour, the opening of clerestory windows more frequently can provide effective air movement in the spaces. Climate responsive architecture is very essential because it makes the building becomes an intermediary in its own energy housekeeping by opening up to the energy potential of the built environment.