AN EVALUATION OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN CONFERENCE CENTRES

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Author

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Department of Environmental Design

ABSTRACT
Sustainable design strategies are strategies that seek to promote the quality of indoor and outdoor environment by reducing negative impact on building and the natural environment. Energy efficiency which is a key factor of sustainable design is especially critical for conference centers with their typically large volumes of space and great variation in numbers of occupants. This has made the focus on sustainability in the design, construction, and operation of conference centers grow more intense. Studies show that one third of the energy used in existing conference centers in Nigeria is generated via electricity, but due to epileptic power supply, high cost of energy and high carbon emission, there is a need to minimize energy demand in the facility. This research evaluated sustainable design strategies and their effects on energy efficiency in conference centers in warm humid climates of Nigeria. The climate, building envelope, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and lighting systems working together as an integrated system are the principal factors responsible for energy consumption of a building. The research was based on case study approach and data was collected through visual survey and interview of Architects/ designers of conference centers in the field of energy as well as analysis of the environmental climate data of the proposed site. The case study revealed that the centers as at the time of their construction did not consider sustainable design strategies in terms of materials of the building envelope, wall and window shading as well as natural means of cooling and lighting. In order to apply and achieve a sustainable design, effort was put into understanding the local climate and integrating appropriate strategies such as appropriate orientation, landscaping, fenestration, shading devices and appropriate use of materials into the architecture. The key factors which are local climate, building envelope, lighting, and cooling systems affecting the energy efficiency of the building were analyzed and the strategies to improve its sustainability were examined. Innovative building materials and technology such as clay bricks in concrete render, precast concrete panels and solatude day lighting system effectively utilized on a model in managing the problem of lighting and cooling energy loads were carefully investigated and these were used to arrest the energy efficiency challenges in the study area.