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

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.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Since the beginning of time, climate has affected all aspects of man activities and have shaped man intellectual responses in his quest for a better life (Kabiru, 2011). Climate according  to  Abiodun  (2015)  is  a  measure  of  the  average  pattern  of  variation  in elements such as Precipitation, humidity, temperature, solar radiation and wind over a long period of time. These climatic elements have posed a lot of problem on man activities which brought about the need for dwellings that will respond to them (Hasselaar, 2006).

Machaira et.al. (2012) defined climate responsive architecture as a system that allows a building  to  moderate  the  climate  for  human  comfort  and  wellbeing.  In  climate responsive architecture, building uses climate as a form determinant. Traditional buildings are a best example of climate responsive architecture (Remco et al.,2007; Abdul-manan 2016; Anh-Tuan et al., 2011). Because local builders have shown great techniques in providing the most comfortable and healthy environment. Local builders use natural available materials and passive techniques (natural lighting, natural ventilation) to build and comfort their shelters. Remco (2007) further stressed that, the application of traditional technique is the most fundamental aspect of architecture which is providing shelter from the dynamic conditions of the environment. As humanity progressed  from the  traditional  approach  to  the  modern  approach  providing  shelter transformed  into providing  comfort.  During  the  traditional  method  of  construction issues like energy conservation, environmental impact and resource depletion where no issues at all. It was the urge to provide comfort during the 20th century (modernism) that led to the increased in application of energy consuming mechanical systems for controlling  the  indoor  environment.  With  result  that  buildings  became  significant energy consumers (Remco et al., 2007).

Buildings  now  need  to  addressed  these issues,  mostly the  new  conventional  public educational buildings (site) that are having activities ranging from one institute to the other depending on the nature of the school. However, there is a tremendous change noticed in how school work, this change has been driven by rapid development, with students overcrowding the tertiary institutions (Francisco, 2007). The current trend of higher-level education is accommodating large number of students per classes thereby generating lots of heat resulting in thermal discomfort in the interior spaces. This has posted a challenge of energy efficiency for public educational buildings making it difficult for the users to achieve comfort without huge amount of air conditioning systems (Jhaveri et al., 2010). Another factor that is attributed with this problem is the nature of the building in respect of the climate.

Agboola (2011) pointed out that, climate and weather are the major environmental factors directly affecting building form and creating discomfort. Asli (2006) argued that, the driving force that act upon buildings to create comfortable space and shelter is climate. Buildings are supposed to be modifiers of microclimate, a space isolated from the climatic temperature and humidity fluctuations and sheltered from other environmental elements (Abiodun, 2015). This means building should take into account the climatic conditions of the location for its optimal comfort     in order to achieve sustainability. The basic principle of  climate responsive architecture is  to achieve  the least  possible  energy consumption concurrently with the provision of thermal comfort for the inhabitants.

1.2 Statement of the Research Problem

The climatic conditions of Federal University Birnin Kebbi (site) is characterised by a long dry season associated with cold and dry harmattan wind, intense sunlight and high temperature range. The heat temperature in this region can rise as high as 45o C and the cold temperature mostly can go  as low as 9.8o  C with dusty winds in most of the periods. But the worrisome about this weather is the discomfort and diseases it brings, with buildings using large amount of energy to comfort environment. And thus, contributing to the effect of global warming via the release of pollutants (carbon dioxide). Perhaps as mentioned by (Akande 2010) buildings in this region are not designed to respond to the extreme climate. Right from the design inception, climate is not considered as an attribute to respond to. Which resulted with the outdoor environment completely disconnected from the buildings and indoor environment generating large amount of energy to cool down the micro climate.

1.3 Aims and Objectives

1.3.1 Aim of study

The aim of this research is to integrate climate responsive building elements in the design of faculty of environmental studies, Federal University Birnin Kebbi.

1.3.2 Objectives of study

The objectives of the study are to:

1.   Assess  the  climate  responsive  building  elements  employed  on  the  faculty buildings

2.   Examine the effectiveness of the applied techniques when compared with the micro climate of the region.

3.    Propose an eco-friendly design of faculty of environmental studies that will reflect the climate of the region.

1.4  Research Questions

The research question is guided by the following questions:

1.   What are those elements that are responsive to Hot Dry climate?

2.   What is the relationship between the climate responsive building elements and the resultant indoor thermal condition of buildings in the study area?

3.   What design concepts would be appropriate for a public educational building in the study area?

1.5 Scope of Study

The scope of the study will cover all the parameters that will reflect the climate of the region necessary for achieving thermal comfort in an educational building.

These parameters are:

i.      Orientation

ii.      Building form

iii.     Thermal mass

iv.      Dynamic insulation

v.      Natural ventilation

vi.      Natural lighting

The choice of Federal University Birnin Kebbi (study area) serve as a good ground to investigate the effectiveness of climate responsive building elements due to the disturbing harsh weather of the region. And with the expectation in the long run to help in shaping the master plan of the university for efficient thermal performance.

1.6 Justification of the Study

The proposed project (faculty of environmental studies) hopes to provide one of the immediate needs the Federal University Birnin Kebbi has been craving for. Thermal discomfort was presented as the daunting phenomenon for building users in the area and therefore a research study is needed to investigate the performance of the buildings (study area) in relation to the harsh climate of the region. Result of the findings as the end product of this study will be the design  concepts for the proposed project but will also be recommended for use on any other upcoming developmental plans in the region.

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