ARCHITECTURE

The increasing cost of conventional building materials such as steel, concrete, and timber, coupled with Nigeria’s growing housing deficit and environmental concerns, has intensified the search for sustainable and affordable alternative building materials. In Benin City, Edo State, rapid urban development and rising construction demand have further increased dependence on conventional materials, thereby heightening economic and environmental pressures. Bamboo, a fast-growing and renewable natural resource, has gained global recognition for its structural strength, flexibility, and environmental benefits. This study analyzes bamboo as a sustainable alternative building material using Benin City, Edo State, as a case study, with the aim of assessing its suitability for building construction within the local context. The research specifically examines the mechanical properties of bamboo relevant to structural performance and further evaluates its economic and environmental characteristics. It also compares bamboo with commonly used conventional building materials within the city. A qualitative and comparative research approach was adopted, relying on data from existing literature, technical reports, and selected case studies of bamboo applications in both local and international construction projects. The availability of bamboo within Edo State and surrounding southern regions was also reviewed to determine its viability for application in Benin City. Findings from the study reveal that bamboo possesses high tensile strength, favorable load- bearing capacity, cost effectiveness, and low environmental impact, making it a viable alternative material for low-rise and affordable housing construction in Benin City. However, challenges such as susceptibility to moisture, insect attack, lack of standardized building codes, and limited professional acceptance were identified as major constraints to its wide spread adoption. The study concludes that bamboo has significant potential as a sustainable alternative building material in Benin City if properly treated, standardized, and integrated into architectural practice. It recommends increased research, policy support, professional training, and the development of local standards to enhance the effective utilization of bamboo within Edo State’s construction industry.

This study was carried out to examine the assessment and impact of outdoor seating area in campus environment using the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Benin as case study. To guide the study, three questions were raised and descriptive research design was used for the research work. The population of the study was students from the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Benin from which a sample size of 50 random respondents was taken. The reliability of the research instrument was determined using the test retest reliability measure and simple percentage technique was used for data analysis. Findings from the survey conducted reveals that larger percentage of respondents strongly agreed that outdoor seating area has impact on students academics, physical and mental health, and social interactions. Most of the respondents agreed that infrastructures such as outdoor seats, lightings, green areas etc. are inadequate and also agreed with the need to construct new outdoor seating areas and renovate existing ones in the campus.

The construction industry faces increasing challenges in achieving sustainable, ecofriendly practices while meeting the growing demand for housing. This research
project explores the viability of rammed earth as a substitute replacement for sandcrete and concrete in building construction in Ekosodin, Edo State, Nigeria. Rammed earth, an ancient construction material requiring special technique, offers significant potential for sustainable building due to its low environmental impact, availability of raw materials, and thermal mass properties. The research will encompass a comprehensive analysis of rammed earth's structural performance, thermal efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in the context of Edo State's climate and local construction practices. By examining the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of rammed earth construction, this research aims to provide valuable insights and recommendations for promoting its adoption as a sustainable building material in Edo State, ultimately contributing to the region's sustainable development goals.

The design and quality of campus infrastructure plays a significant role in influencing student learning and academic performance. At the University of Benin, facilities such as classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and recreational spaces form an essential part of the learning environment. However, issues including inadequate maintenance, outdated facilities, and overcrowding have been observed to negatively affect students’ comfort, concentration, and academic productivity. This study adopts a case study approach, using physical observation of facilities and a questionnaire survey administered to students of the University of Benin to assess the impact of campus infrastructure on learning outcomes. The findings reveal that well-designed and
properly maintained learning spaces enhance students’ concentration, motivation, and academic performance, while poor ventilation, insufficient space, and deteriorating facilities hinder effective learning. The study emphasizes the need for regular maintenance, infrastructural upgrades, and userfocused design strategies to improve the quality of the campus environment and support better academic outcomes at the University of Benin.

Student housing satisfaction plays a crucial role in shaping the overall university experience and
may significantly influence academic success. This study examines the relationship between
housing satisfaction and academic performance among students at the University of Benin, Nigeria. Using a mixed-method approach, the study collected data through structured questionnaires
administered to 100 randomly selected students living in both on-campus and off-campus
accommodations. Additionally, academic performance was measured using self-reported grade
point averages (GPAs), while housing satisfaction was assessed using a Likert scale evaluating
various accommodation factors. Findings revealed that students who reported higher satisfaction with their housing conditions
also tended to have better academic performance. Key determinants of satisfaction included
adequate electricity and water supply, secure living environments, functional study spaces, and
positive roommate relationships. Conversely, students in poorly maintained or overcrowded
accommodations reported higher stress levels, which negatively impacted their studies. On- campus housing was generally rated more favorably due to proximity to lecture halls and
libraries, though some students cited challenges such as sanitary issues and limited privacy. The study concludes that improving student housing conditions can enhance academic success
by providing a conducive living and learning environment. Recommendations include
university-led renovations of hostel facilities, better maintenance services, and partnerships with
private housing providers to ensure affordable, quality accommodations. Future research could
increase the sample size and introduce longitudinal data to further validate these findings. This study contributes to the broader discourse on student welfare and academic achievement, emphasizing the need for policymakers and university administrators to prioritize housing
quality as a key factor in educational outcomes.

What is interior design? It is the art, science, and business planning of a creative, technical, sustainable, and functional interior solution that corresponds to the architecture of a space, while incorporating process and strategy, a mandate for well-being, safety, and health, with informed decisions about style and aesthetics. An interior designer is on who manages The objective of the study is to find out where individual budgets and personaltastes tie in with various interior design styles and trends. The study aims to identify the already existing styles present in Benin City as well as highlight the styles ranging from the most pocket friendly styles to the ostentatious styles for individuals in Benin City.With a rise In the population of home owners over the years, either through inheritance or purchase, there are a number of individuals who are oblivious to the importance of interior design within Benin city, where there is still a saturation of old mud and zinc buildings with the most interesting thingsabout a typical house's interior being wood carved doors or ornaments, we take a dive into Benin society so as to uncover the reasons for the apathy towards style and aesthetics when it comes to decorating and designing a space. There is a clear lack of intentionality present among Residents of the city of Benin,when it comes to interior design.

A sustainable design guide has a huge potential to enhance the sustainability of the built environment. This project work investigates the impact of climate change on building designs using two prominent areas in Benin City as case studies; The Centenary Celebration of Egedege N’ Okaro and National Museum, Benin City Edo State. The design and method of this study which is mostly observation and conclusion drawn. The population of the study are basically conventional buildings methods, materials, and design concepts used in Benin City’s historical architectural style. The findings of this study shows that; Climate change is no longer a myth or subject for debate but rather a subject for action, there is a two way relationship between climate change and buildings, there is huge evidence of the negative impacts of climate change globally and particularly in Nigeria and there is very little research activities in the subject of climate and buildings in the sub-Saharan region of Africa. Concluding that Nigeria to take up such challenges and embark on more research studies and as a result provide data as tangible evidence to argue for more government actions for the overall good of sustainable development in Nigeria. Thus, the research aim is achieved with the formulation of a sustainable residential design framework. Also, all the research objectives and research questions were addressed as stated at different sections of this thesis, therefore recommending that it is necessary for the government to encourage active participation of the built environment professionals (stakeholders) on its policy formulation teams in order to encourage interactions and collaborations, also there is the need for the Nigerian government to encourage institutionalised climate change initiatives at all tiers of
government. In order to ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, control mechanism and
implementation of climate change initiatives and lastly, there is the need to facilitate and quicken the actualization of the seemingly ‘comatose’ climate change policy draft and thereafter, to carry out an immediate review in conjunction with professional representatives and other relevant stakeholders.

A sustainable design guide has a huge potential to enhance the sustainability of the built environment. This project work investigates the impact of climate change on building designs using two prominent areas in Benin City as case studies; The Centenary Celebration of Egedege N’ Okaro and National Museum, Benin City Edo State. The design and method of this study which is mostly observation and conclusion drawn. The population of the study are
basically conventional buildings methods, materials, and design concepts used in Benin City’s historical architectural style. The findings of this study shows that; Climate change is no longer a myth or subject for debate but rather a subject for action, there is a two way relationship between climate change and buildings, there is huge evidence of the negative impacts of climate change globally and particularly in Nigeria and there is very little
research activities in the subject of climate and buildings in the sub-Saharan region of Africa. Concluding that Nigeria to take up such challenges and embark on more research studies and as a result provide data as tangible evidence to argue for more government actions for the overall good of sustainable development in Nigeria. Thus, the research aim is achieved
with the formulation of a sustainable residential design framework. Also, all the research objectives and research questions were addressed as stated at different sections of this thesis, therefore recommending that it is necessary for the government to encourage active participation of the built environment professionals (stakeholders) on its policy formulation
teams in order to encourage interactions and collaborations, also there is the need for the Nigerian government to encourage institutionalised climate change initiatives at all tiers of government. In order to ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, control mechanism and implementation of climate change initiatives and lastly, there is the need to facilitate and quicken the actualization of the seemingly ‘comatose’ climate change policy draft and
thereafter, to carry out an immediate review in conjunction with professional representatives and other relevant stakeholders.

Coloured aluminium roofing sheets represents the common roofing sheet for the most houses in Benin city. Different colours of aluminium deliver various impacts on the indoor environment. This study focuses on estimating the amount of heat gain and roof surface temperature obtained from different colours of aluminium . The paper hypothesizes that colour techniques could affect the thermal efficiency of aluminium roofs. The research was based on the simulation analysis applied on an actual room size with different colours (dark purple, green and orange} in the University of Benin, Benin-city. As a result, the findings affirm the hypothesis and show the significance of roof colour in the thermal efficiency of aluminium roof. This study contributes efficiently to the knowledge of the roofing design in the tropics. In addition, it will shed light on the economic sector and sustainability for optimum roofing concept particularly for low cost housing components in Nigeria.