DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

This research investigates the climate-responsive features embedded in traditional Benin
architecture and their relevance to sustainable design in contemporary practice. Benin City, located in southern Nigeria, experiences a hot-humid tropical climate characterized by high
temperatures, intense solar radiation, heavy rainfall, and elevated humidity. These climatic
conditions historically shaped the built environment, prompting indigenous builders to develop
architectural forms that enhanced thermal comfort and environmental adaptability. Traditional
features such as thick mud walls, steeply pitched thatched roofs with wide eaves, courtyards, verandahs, and strategic orientation were employed to regulate temperature, improve natural
ventilation, and protect against rainfall. This study adopts a qualitative research approach, drawing on literature review, field observations, and climatic analysis to identify and analyze
these features. Findings highlight the cultural and environmental significance of traditional Benin
architecture, underscoring its potential to inform sustainable and climate-resilient building
practices in present-day Benin City

Colour is an inextricable element of the world we are in, and its influence on how people perceive their surroundings is irrefutable. Colour is considered as an integral element of our environment, natural and constructed. The psychological effects of color mean that color’s impact on each and every individual are vast, however, people rarely have a clue of how these effects are even occurring. Psychologically certain feelings or reactions can be induced by colour, the same applies in architecture colour impacts how the users of the building feels. Even though most of people don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the effects of color in their homes, the color and design in our home should reflect the people who live inside, the designers and homeowners should use colors wisely to create the intended atmosphere in each space. This study highlights the important role of colour in residential designs. It is an undertaken study comprising of a survey of interviewed people from different walks of life in Benin City to assess their perception and colour preference in the use of colors in residential buildings and concluded that people expressed color as an important factor in their homes. They also believe that color affects health, mood & emotions of the person.

Architecture plays a crucial role in shaping how people experience, perceive, and interact with their environment. In university settings, the design of buildings and open spaces influences learning, behavior, comfort, emotional well-being, and overall campus life. This study examines the influence of architectural design on human experience within the University of Benin, focusing on how spatial qualities—such as layout, circulation, lighting, landscape, building orientation, materiality, and environmental comfort—affect students, staff, and visitors. The research explores key human-centered design factors, including accessibility, safety, wayfinding, social interaction, thermal comfort, and the emotional responses elicited by campus spaces. Data was gathered through on-site observations, user surveys, behavioral mapping, and photographic documentation across selected facilities such as classrooms, walkways, hostels, administrative blocks, and public outdoor spaces. Findings reveal that architectural design significantly shapes user experience by influencing ease of movement, social engagement, sense of belonging, and overall satisfaction with the campus environment. The study concludes that enhancing human experience requires conscious integration of user-friendly design principles in future development and renovation within the University of Benin.

The quality of students’ halls of residence plays a significant role in shaping comfort, wellbeing, and academic productivity within the university environment. This study focused on the architectural evaluation of students’ halls of residence at the University of Benin, using Hall 4 (Male Hostel) as a case study, with the aim of assessing its spatial layout, environmental performance, facilities, and students’ level of satisfaction. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected through the administration of a structured questionnaire to 295 residents of Hall 4, alongside direct physical observation and photographic documentation of the hostel environment. The data obtained were presented in tables and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, and descriptive interpretation. Findings from the study revealed that although the hall remains functional as a residential facility, several challenges exist, particularly in the areas of poor natural ventilation, inadequate sanitary facilities, insufficient maintenance, limited room space, and low overall student satisfaction. Physical observation further confirmed visible signs of poor maintenance, aging furniture, stained wall finishes, and poorly maintained washrooms and toilets. The study concluded that the architectural performance of Hall 4 does not fully support a comfortable and conducive living environment for students. Based on the findings, the study recommended improved ventilation strategies, renovation of sanitary facilities, better maintenance culture, upgrading of communal spaces, and periodic post-occupancy evaluation to enhance the quality of student residential facilities within the University of Benin.

Therapeutic healing is a very important aspect in the daily lives of the average human being. Without Healthcare facilities, people end up not having a place where they can go to receive treatment when ill or in discomfort. This project aims to explore the critical interplay between architectural design and therapeutic healing outcomes, specifically examining "healing spaces" while within the context of healthcare and wellness facilities in Edo State, Nigeria. Taking into mind that the importance of clinical treatment is paramount, this study posits that the built environment significantly influences patient recovery, psychological well-being, and the overall efficacy of care delivery.
Drawing upon principles of environmental psychology, biophilic design, and human-centered design, this research investigates how the elements of architecture such as natural light, ventilation, material selection, spatial organization, and access to nature contribute in creating environments conducive to healing and rehabilitation. The study also aims to identify existing architectural approaches in therapeutic healing facilities across Edo State, analyze their strengths and weaknesses in fostering healing, and propose evidence-based design recommendations tailored to the local cultural, climatic, and resource contexts. Overall, this project seeks to highlight architecture's often-underestimated role as a therapeutic tool, advocating for its conscious integration into healthcare planning and design to enhance the quality of therapeutic healing for residents of Edo State.

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 research is an assessment of the delivery of low income housing in Nigeria, it analyzes the prospect and challenges of delivery of low income housing in Nigeria and intends to proffer recommendations toward an efficient delivery of low income housing in Nigeria

The research is an assessment of the delivery of low income housing in Nigeria, it analyzes the prospect and challenges of delivery of low income housing in Nigeria and intends to proffer recommendations toward an efficient delivery of low income housing in Nigeria

Public markets in Edo State serve as vital economic engines and social hubs, yet their functional sustainability is increasingly compromised by the systematic failure of auxiliary infrastructure. This study investigates the "Relevance of Toilet Facilities on the Performance of Urban Market in Edo State: An Architectural Evaluation." The research addresses the problem of existing sanitation facilities failing to meet architectural design and accessibility standards, which leads to structural deterioration, environmental hazards, and reduced public confidence. The primary aim is to evaluate the design adequacy, spatial integration, and inclusivity of these facilities and to determine their direct impact on market performance indicators such as user satisfaction and spatial efficiency. The study adopts a qualitative research approach based on architectural observation, field documentation, and semi-structured interviews with market users and management officials. Direct assessment of toilet facilities was carried out to evaluate accessibility, spatial location, ventilation, water supply, material conditions, and maintenance
practices. Photographic documentation and field notes were used to support physical and spatial analysis of sanitation facilities within New Benin, Uselu, and Jattu markets. The research argues that architectural deficiencies, including poor natural ventilation and non-durable materiality, trigger user avoidance behavior, thereby reducing "dwell time" and overall market productivity. The study concludes that well-designed, inclusive sanitation infrastructure acts as a performance multiplier for urban markets. The findings contribute to sustainable urban design by proposing a context-specific architectural template for market sanitation, providing an evidence-based roadmap for town planners, architects, and policymakers to enhance the hygiene, dignity, and economic viability of public markets in Edo State.

The circular economy has come forth as a dire approach for addressing challenges in the environment that is associated with the consumption of resources and generation of waste especially in the built environment. Given the importance of professionals of the built environment in achieving sustainability, it can be deemed as important to check and assess the level of awareness of circular economy strategies amongst students in the tertiary stage. This study evaluated the level of awareness of circular economy strategies amongst built environment students in the University of Benin, Nigeria. Adescriptive survey research design was used for this study. The collation and collection of data was done using structured questionnaires which were then distributed to students from these built environment disciplines; Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Estate Management, Geoinformatics, and Structural Engineering. The obtained data were analysed using descriptive tools such as
percentages and the results were then presented in tables and charts. Findings from the study showed that while a reasonable number of students possess a basic knowledge of circular economy concepts, their awareness was very limited to regular
sustainability practices like reduce, reuse and recycle. There was little to no knowledge on circular economy strategies and other advanced circular economy concepts particularly those related to DfD and material passport. The study also identified variations in awareness by department with design based disciplines having more sustainability knowledge than non design
based disciplines. The study concludes that circular economy strategies are not adequately taught or present in the
current curriculum of built environment students in the University of Benin. It therefore recommends the integration of circular economy in relevant courses and an increase in practical application of these strategies as these measure will help equip the students with the skills and knowledge to promote sustainable practices in the built environment through circular economy strategie