Student Housing University of Benin Hall of Residence Hall 4 Architectural Evaluation Post Occupancy Evaluation Environmental Performance Indoor Ventilation Sanitary Facilities Building Maintenance

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.