RESIDENTIAL BUILDING TYPES AS ENVIRONMENTAL ENVELOPES: AN ASSESSMENT OF BIOCLIMATIC PERFORMANCE AND OCCUPANTS’ PERCEPTION IN ILORIN, NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1004-4638Keywords:
Climate Adaptation, Indoor Comfort Assessment, Occupant BehaviorAbstract
This study evaluates residential building types as environmental envelopes and examines their relationship with occupants’ perceptions of bioclimatic performance in Ilorin, Nigeria. Recognizing buildings as mediators between outdoor climate and indoor conditions, the research assesses how typological differences and physical characteristics influence perceived thermal comfort, ventilation, indoor air quality, humidity, daylighting and noise levels. A quantitative approach was adopted using a structured questionnaire administered across high-, medium-, and low-density residential zones within the three Local Government Areas of Ilorin metropolis. From a sample of 597 households, 484 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Spearman’s rank-order correlation. Chi-square analysis was used to examine associations between physical building characteristics and residential density categories, while Spearman’s correlation assessed relationships between building type and perceived environmental performance indicators. Findings reveal weak but statistically significant positive correlations between residential building type and perceptions of temperature, humidity, and air quality, whereas no significant relationships were observed for ventilation, daylighting, noise, or artificial lighting. The study highlights the need for occupant-centered, climate-responsive housing strategies that integrate physical design attributes with adaptive behaviours to advance sustainable residential development in tropical urban contexts.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Firdaus Talatu Uthman Moyo, Abdulrasaq Kunle Ayinla, Oluronke Omolola Odunjo, Ridwanullahi Abiodun Akewusola
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