Evaluation of Green Architectural Elements in Enhancing Thermal Comfort in Federal Polytechnic Library, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study evaluates the efficacy of green architectural elements in enhancing thermal comfort within the main library of the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa. Situated in a Tropical Savannah climate, the conventional library building functions as a thermal "heat trap," exposing occupants to severe indoor thermal stress, visual glare, and poor air quality that directly impair academic productivity. Utilizing a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design, data was gathered through physical site assessments and structured questionnaires administered to a validated sample of 312 students and 8 library facility managers. The empirical findings reveal that 56.40% of users occupy the facility during peak solar heat gain hours (12:00 PM to 3:59 PM), with excessive heat and glare driving high rates of cognitive fatigue and premature study session abandonment. Furthermore, staff evaluations confirm that heavy reliance on mechanical HVAC systems is operationally unsustainable due to chronic national grid failures and exorbitant generator maintenance costs. In response, both students and management demonstrate overwhelming receptiveness to passive design interventions. The study concludes that integrating bioclimatic strategies (such as optimal East-West orientation, passive cross-ventilation, brise-soleil shading, and biophilic elements) is essential to achieving "passive survivability", stabilize indoor temperatures within the ASHRAE 23°C to 26°C comfort band, and restore the library as a functional academic sanctuary.
Keywords
Users' EvaluationGreen ArchitectureThermal ComfortIndoor Environmental QualityTropical Savannah ClimatePassive Survivability.
References
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