DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

Architectural facades play a vital role in shaping the identity, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of buildings, particularly in urban environments. This research investigates the incorporation of architectural facades in buildings within Benin City, Edo State, focusing on their social, cultural, and environmental impacts. The study explores how façade design contributes to the character of the built environment, enhances user experience, promotes climate responsiveness, and reflects local identity. Despite their significance, many buildings in Benin City lack thoughtful façade integration due to limited awareness, economic constraints, and insufficient design regulation. Through field observations, case studies, and stakeholder interviews, this research examines existing façade applications and identifies best practices for context-appropriate designs. The findings reveal that well-designed facades improve urban aesthetics, increase building efficiency, and foster a stronger sense of place. The study concludes that a deliberate approach to façade integration considering climate, culture, and functionality are essential for sustainable urban development. Key recommendations include promoting design education, enforcing architectural standards, and encouraging innovation to support meaningful façade design in Benin City. This research offers practical insights for architects, developers, and policymakers committed to enhancing the urban fabric through facade-conscious architecture.

The construction industry in Nigeria faces significant challenges in balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. This study compares traditional and modern building materials in Nigeria, focusing on their sustainability and environmental impact. Traditional material (mud, thatch, bamboo). Are evaluated alongside modern materials (e.g., concrete, steel, glass) using Life cycle Assessment (LCA) and case studies. The research investigates the environmental implication of material extraction, processing, construction, and disposal. Factors such as energy consumption, greenhouse gas emission, and indoor air quality are assessed. The study reveal that traditional materials exhibits superior sustainability characteristics, including lower carbon footprints, reduced waste generation, and enhanced thermal performance. However modern materials offer improved durability and structural integrity. Policy and regulatory frameworks analyzed to identify barriers to sustainable building practices.

This study investigated the behavioural and psychological effects of hostel accommodation on students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN). The study adopted a descriptive survey research design to examine how hostel living conditions influence students’ behaviour, mental well-being, and academic experiences. Data were collected from 101 hostel residents through a structured questionnaire administered electronically, consisting of both quantitative and qualitative items. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages, while qualitative responses were analyzed through content analysis. The findings revealed that hostel accommodation contributes to positive behavioural outcomes such as increased independence, social interaction, and adaptability among students. However, challenges including noise, peer pressure, overcrowding, and poor facilities were found to negatively affect concentration and behaviour. Psychologically, many students reported experiencing stress, anxiety, and homesickness, largely due to inadequate maintenance, inconsistent water and electricity supply, limited privacy, and overcrowding. The study also found that improved facilities, regular maintenance, counselling services, and recreational spaces were widely perceived as effective strategies for enhancing students’ well- being and academic performance. The study concludes that hostel accommodation has a significant influence on both the behavioural and psychological well-being of UNIBEN students. It recommends improved hostel management, reduced overcrowding, enhanced facility maintenance, and the provision of student support services to create a more conducive and supportive living environment.

This study investigated the behavioural and psychological effects of hostel accommodation on students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN). The study adopted a descriptive survey research design to examine how hostel living conditions influence students’ behaviour, mental well-being, and academic experiences. Data were collected from 101 hostel residents through a structured questionnaire administered electronically, consisting of both quantitative and qualitative items. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages, while qualitative responses were analysed through content analysis. The findings revealed that hostel accommodation contributes to positive behavioural outcomes such as increased independence, social interaction, and adaptability among students. However, challenges including noise, peer pressure, overcrowding, and poor facilities were found to negatively affect concentration and behaviour. Psychologically, many students reported experiencing stress, anxiety, and homesickness, largely due to inadequate maintenance, inconsistent water and electricity supply, limited privacy, and overcrowding. The study also found that improved facilities, regular maintenance, counselling services, and recreational spaces were widely perceived as effective strategies for enhancing students’ well- being and academic performance. The study concludes that hostel accommodation has a significant influence on both the behavioural and psychological well-being of UNIBEN students. It recommends improved hostel management, reduced overcrowding, enhanced facility maintenance, and the provision of student support services to create a more conducive and supportive living environment.

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.