Assessment of Daylighting Designs in the Selected Museums of South-West Nigeria: A Focus on The Integrated Relevant Energy Efficiency Features

Abstract

An examination of the integrated relevant energy efficiency features is emergent to \nproffer amicable solutions into some tropical buildings and energy issues. This would go a long \nway to determine the registered thermal comfort levels enjoyable by the users, occupants and \ndwellers of such buildings. In this regard, great accountability is required on the part of the \nstakeholders, especially the Architect-designers. This study investigated the daylighting \nfeatures engaged in the selected museums of South-western states in Nigeria. The integration \nof natural daylighting into museums spaces is a major factor in determining the positioning and \nsizing of fenestrations to the interior spaces of most buildings. Especially in Museum building \ndesigns where the artefacts are supposedly not to be exposed to the direct rays of the sun. The \neffects of daylighting exposure to the museum artefacts depends greatly on the length of \nexposure to light rays and object tolerance. The aim of this project is to carry out an assessment \nof daylighting designs in the Selected Museums of South-West Nigeria in order to integrate \nrelevant energy efficiency features into the architectural designs. The study methodology \nengaged questionnaires, interview and literature reviews in order to have an understanding of \nthe daylighting features integrated into Museum buildings. It also examined the relevant \nenergy-design features for integrating daylighting strategies into the Museum designs. \nQuestionnaires were administered and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science \n(SPSS) through descriptive analysis of the data. The analysis showed that there are parametricenergy \ndesign indices in the existing architectural designs that are applicable in forms, spaces, \nmaterials, techniques, installation and strategies to museums in the tropical climatic regions. \nThe analysis further showed that the use of domes, clerestory windows, atriums, light tubes and \nanti-solar glass/windows were considered to be most adequate daylighting features sufficient \nfor daylighting designs and energy efficiency optimization. This study developed an \narchitectural design model of a museum as a canonized exemplar that explores various \nstrategies and techniques on how daylighting can be achieved in the museum spaces. It finally \nrecommended an architectural model design specific to all tropical building species in a \nholistic form and spaces, and planning. These would enable a high-level patronage and \noptimization for entrepreneurial benefits within the confine of museums and other culturerelated \nbuildings in the tropical climate.