Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Thermal Comfort in Semi-Open Transitional Spaces in a Nigerian University: A Student Survey

Ruth Rakiya Martins, Pontip Stephen Nimlyat, Ripnung Shem Lekjep

Abstract

This study investigates students’ perceptions of thermal comfort in semi-open transitional spaces at a Nigerian university situated in the tropical savanna climatic zone. A pilot mixed-methods design was employed, combining a perception-based survey (n = 51) with limited environmental monitoring and architectural documentation. Survey results indicated that moderate discomfort was the most frequently reported experience across temperature (39.2%), humidity (33.3%), and wind (31.4%). Extreme discomfort levels were less common, while approximately one-quarter of respondents reported no discomfort. Chi-square analyses revealed no significant association between age and reported discomfort for any environmental parameter (all p > .99). Although the survey instrument demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s ? = 0.731), the study’s scope was limited by its small, discipline-specific sample, single-site focus, and restricted environmental data collection. The findings therefore remain exploratory, underscoring the need for larger-scale, multi-institutional studies incorporating adaptive comfort models, extended seasonal monitoring, and detailed architectural audits. This work provides a methodological foundation for future research on transitional spaces in tropical higher education contexts, where thermal comfort is both critical and underexplored.

Keywords

Thermal comfort; transitional spaces; semi-open environments; adaptive comfort

References

Agboola, O. P., & Zango, M. S. (2014). Development of traditional architecture in Nigeria: A case study of Hausa house form. European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, 18(9), 1101–1116. https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2014.896743 ArchDaily. (2024). The evolution of brise-soleil in West African architecture. ArchDaily. https://www.archdaily.com ASHRAE. (2013). ANSI/ASHRAE Addenda o, p, and q to ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2010. ASHRAE. ASHRAE 55 | CBE Thermal Comfort Tool. (n.d.). Center for the Built Environment. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://cbe-berkeley.gitbook.io/thermal-comfort- tool/documentation/ashrae-55 Avantaggiato, M., Belleri, A., Oberegger, U. F., & Pasut, W. (2021). Unlocking thermal comfort in transitional spaces: A field study in three Italian shopping centres. Building and Environment, 188, 107428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.107428 Azimi, Z., Kashfi, S. S., Semiari, A., & Shafaat, A. (2024). Outdoor thermal comfort in open transitional spaces with limited greenery in hot summer/cold winter climates. Discover Environment, 2(1), 62. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-024-00062-0 Caldas, L. (2011). Vernacular climate-adaptive devices in West African architecture: A study of verandas and brise-soleil. Journal of Architectural History, 70(3), 415–432. Chun, C., Kwok, A., & Tamura, A. (2004). Thermal comfort in transitional spaces – Basic concepts: Literature review and trial measurement. Building and Environment, 39(10), 1187–1192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2004.02.003 de Dear, R. J., Akimoto, T., Arens, E. A., Brager, G., Candido, C., Cheong, K. W. D., Li, B., Nishihara, N., Sekhar, S. C., Tanabe, S., Toftum, J., Zhang, H., & Zhu, Y. (2013). Progress in thermal comfort research over the last twenty years. Indoor Air, 23(6), 442–461. https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12046 de Dear, R., & Brager, G. S. (1998). Developing an adaptive model of thermal comfort and preference. ASHRAE Transactions, 104(1), 145–167. Dhaka, S., Mathur, J., Wagner, A., Agarwal, G. D., & Garg, V. (2013). Evaluation of thermal environmental conditions and thermal perception at naturally ventilated hostels of undergraduate students in composite climate. Building and Environment, 66, 42–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2013.04.015 Dili, A. S., Naseer, M. A., & Varghese, T. Z. (2010). Thermal comfort study of Kerala traditional residential buildings based on questionnaire survey among occupants of traditional and modern buildings. Energy and Buildings, 42(11), 2139–2150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2010.07.004 F?lárànmí, S. A., & Adémúl?yá, S. O. (2021). Courtyard typologies and passive cooling strategies in Yoruba palaces and compounds. African Journal of Architecture, 9(1), 33–50. George, D., & Mallery, P. (2019). IBM SPSS Statistics 26 step by step: A simple guide and reference. Routledge. Goshayeshi, D., Shahidan, M. F., Khafi, F., & Ehtesham, E. (2013). A review of researches about human thermal comfort in semi-outdoor spaces. European Online Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 2(4), 516–523. Guo, F., Wang, Z., Dong, J., Zhang, H., Lu, X., Lau, S. S. Y., & Miao, Y. (2022). Spatial differences in outdoor thermal comfort during the transition season in cold regions of China. Buildings, 12(6), 765. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12060720 Tse, J. M. Y. (2020). Investigation of thermal comfort and improvement strategies for multi- functional transitional spaces in public buildings (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Cardiff University. Tse, J. M. Y., & Jones, P. (2017). Investigation of adaptive thermal comfort in building transitional spaces: Case studies in Cardiff, UK. In Hong Kong Joint Symposium 2017 (pp. 1–13). Umar, A. (2021). Exploring the sustainable features of Hausa architecture and its contemporary counterpart. Journal of Architecture and Built Environment Research, 3(2), 45–59. Wang, Z., Yang, Y.

More Articles from IIARD INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT