Assessment of Daylighting Designs in the Selected Museums of South-West Nigeria: A Focus on The Integrated Relevant Energy Efficiency Features

Abstract

An examination of the integrated relevant energy efficiency features is emergent to proffer amicable solutions into some tropical buildings and energy issues. This would go a long way to determine the registered thermal comfort levels enjoyable by the users, occupants and dwellers of such buildings. In this regard, great accountability is required on the part of the stakeholders, especially the Architect-designers. This study investigated the daylighting features engaged in the selected museums of South-western states in Nigeria. The integration of natural daylighting into museums spaces is a major factor in determining the positioning and sizing of fenestrations to the interior spaces of most buildings. Especially in Museum building designs where the artefacts are supposedly not to be exposed to the direct rays of the sun. The effects of daylighting exposure to the museum artefacts depends greatly on the length of exposure to light rays and object tolerance. The aim of this project is to carry out an assessment of daylighting designs in the Selected Museums of South-West Nigeria in order to integrate relevant energy efficiency features into the architectural designs. The study methodology engaged questionnaires, interview and literature reviews in order to have an understanding of the daylighting features integrated into Museum buildings. It also examined the relevant energy-design features for integrating daylighting strategies into the Museum designs. Questionnaires were administered and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) through descriptive analysis of the data. The analysis showed that there are parametric-energy design indices in the existing architectural designs that are applicable in forms, spaces, materials, techniques, installation and strategies to museums in the tropical climatic regions. The analysis further showed that the use of domes, clerestory windows, atriums, light tubes and anti-solar glass/windows were considered to be most adequate daylighting features sufficient for daylighting designs and energy efficiency optimization. This study developed an architectural design model of a museum as a canonized exemplar that explores various strategies and techniques on how daylighting can be achieved in the museum spaces. It finally recommended an architectural model design specific to all tropical building species in a holistic form and spaces, and planning. These would enable a high-level patronage and optimization for entrepreneurial benefits within the confine of museums and other culture-related buildings in the tropical climate.