THE APPLICATION OF PASSIVE DESIGN STRATEGIES AS SUSTAINABLE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE IN A MODEL CONFERENCE CENTRES (A CASE STUDY OF AMINU KANO CENTRE FOR DEMOCRATIC RESEARCH AND TRAINING (AKCDR&T))

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This research sought to reduce uncomfortable conditions created by extremes of heat and dryness in order to achieve well balanced indoor and outdoor climate, through the application of passive design strategies in Conference Centre located in hot dry climate of Kano Nigeria. Passive design utilizes natural sources of heating and cooling breezes. It is achieved by appropriately orientating the building on its site and carefully designing the building envelope (roof, walls, windows and floor). External features such as fountain, soft landscaping and proper site planning improves micro climate which in turn helped in achieving good passive design. The methodology employed is case study and relevant information sourced from pertinent literature and the internet was taken into consideration. Research has shown that more than40% of energy consumption in any building is used for cooling and lighting in order to achieve comfort level. In the course of the research, the building was studied to evaluate the use of passive elements that relates to passive lighting and cooling which are the main source of energy consumption such as building envelop, natural lighting, natural ventilation, Site and external spaces, building form, building orientation, wall/window shading and existing of energy source on conference centre building. Research has shown that, the design parameters obtained from field survey are the principal factors responsible for any good passive design of most public building such as conference centre building.