INTEGRATION OF ENERGY EFFICIENT DESIGN ELEMENTS FOR OFFICE COMPLEX ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Climate change is having a tremendous effect on our fragile ecosystem where the acceleration of its effect is believed to have occurred as a result of human activities that release Greenhouse Gases (GHG) into the atmosphere. In the built environment also, energy necessity of buildings has seen an increase over the past years, predominantly is the energy demand for cooling, ventilating, and lighting. The built environment has been identified as one of the major contributors to the immense diminishing of natural resources through the use of artificial energy for cooling and lighting. An energy consumption research estimated that building sector alone accounts for 40% of the world‟s energy consumption, the research also related one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions where approximately 80% of the energy is through air conditioning systems and artificial lighting. This study aimed at integrating passive energy efficient design elements towards achieving sustainable, low cost and energy efficient office buildings in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. To properly describe the functions and characteristics of the variables studied and to allow for multi-dimensional approach to data collection, descriptive survey was adopted. Qualitatively, the research determined the extent at which energy efficient design elements such as building orientation, shading devices, building form, building envelope/colour, landscape elements, courtyard, and skylight have enhanced energy efficiency in office buildings in Abuja. Energy efficient variables such as buildings orientation, buildings colour, landscape elements and natural ventilation techniques were collected through structured observation schedule, these served as the primary data gotten from the field. Secondary data was gotten through information obtained from documented literature by previous related research works. The research adopted the stratified random sampling, this method allowed office buildings in Abuja to be divided into strata such as high-rise and low building and then randomly selecting from the high-rise buildings. Ten (10) office buildings were randomly selected across the Federal Capital Territory. Data collected was analysed using statistical analysis represented with tables and charts. The result showed that office buildings in Abuja were built with little consideration for passive energy efficient design elements as most office buildings depend chiefly on artificial cooling and lighting. It is recommended that energy efficient elements such as courtyards, overhangs, landscaping, building orientation should be incorporated in the design of buildings, particularly office buildings so as to save running cost, reduce energy requirements of buildings, and also reduce the negative effects this energy has on the environment. Also, statutory regulations should be geared towards ensuring that designers and developers adopt energy efficient design elements in the design of buildings. Furthermore, stakeholders (developers and designers) in the construction industry should provide inducements in the form of awards and recognitions for buildings built to achieve energy efficiency through passive design concepts.