Achieving optimal levels of indoor thermal comfort in a warm, humid climate continues to pose a c... more Achieving optimal levels of indoor thermal comfort in a warm, humid climate continues to pose a challenge to building occupants in such climatic regions. Buildings are either being retrofitted or designed differently to cater to thermal comfort. As a result, a variety of tactics have been deployed to guarantee optimal thermal comfort for occupants. Some scholars have highlighted the salient contributions of various types of construction materials toward the delivery of different housing types which perform differently under a diverse range of climatic conditions. A plethora of studies suggesting better indoor thermal comfort performance of traditional buildings as compared to contemporary dwellings due to various reasons have been observed. However, limited studies have sought to investigate this suggestion within warm, humid climatic regions. As such, this study engages in an evaluation of indoor thermal comfort qualities of traditional and modern buildings during the dry season wi...
Architectural technology practice in Nigeria is influenced on the one hand by the drive to adopt ... more Architectural technology practice in Nigeria is influenced on the one hand by the drive to adopt technologically advanced techniques aimed at providing solutions to the existing challenges within the built environment, and on the other hand by constantly emerging socio-economic variables associated with high population growth, urban migration and resultant housing demands. From the outset of the drawing proposal to the entire lifespan of buildings, innovative developments in building information modelling (BIM) have enabled architectural technologists attain sustainable feats in the building industry. This study examined the curriculum for BIM training in polytechnics domiciled in Southeast Nigeria and the impact on sustainable development practice within the region. Sixtythree (63) architectural firms and three (3) polytechnics were randomly selected for this study. The survey research design was adopted in this study: two sets of structured questionnaires were administered to arch...
African Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 2021
Studies indicate flexibility in space use in architectural design as enhancing core housing affor... more Studies indicate flexibility in space use in architectural design as enhancing core housing affordability. Despite this and the notion that intended residents cannot afford core houses, it is not yet documented what constitutes this attribute, and whether they featured in the core house designs. This information, required as a check for future designs, is lacking. Study examined flexibility in space use in architectural designs of existing public core housing schemes in Anambra State, Nigeria, using Mixed Method approach (data sourced from architectural drawings of existing prototypes, field observations and personal interview protocols). Observation schedule with “Yes” and “No” ratings was used in ascertaining reflection of the attribute in each of the 7 prototypes studied. The attribute was found featuring only in 1 out of the 7 prototypes. For affordability improvement, the paper recommends consideration of the variables constituting flexibility in space use in future core housin...
Architectural technology programmes have experienced tremendous changes in the bid to address con... more Architectural technology programmes have experienced tremendous changes in the bid to address concerns of local identity and environmental responsiveness to contextual issues that are peculiar to the Nigerian milieu, while still conforming to global standards. This paper examines the academic curriculum contents of architectural technology programmes in Nigerian polytechnics in line with design and technological advancements of the 21st century with a view of establishing its relevance for national development. Adopting the case study research method, data were collected from two sets of questionnaires; one set administered to the tutorial staff of department, and the other set to a group of their graduates in professional practice. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that the graduates' proficiency with varied CADD software packages availed them of more job opportunities. The paper recommends the complete adoption of computer-based workstat...
Journal of Advanced Research and Multidisciplinary Studies, 2021
Studies identify dearth of affordable core houses for households who cannot afford whole houses. ... more Studies identify dearth of affordable core houses for households who cannot afford whole houses. Architectural design characteristics affecting design simplicity have been found to positively influence core housing affordability. Despite this, documentation on whether design simplicity has been considered in the designs of existing core houses is lacking. This is required to check imputs in future designs. Study examined reflection of design simplicity in architectural design of existing public core housing schemes in Anambra State, Nigeria, using Mixed Method approach. Data were obtained from architectural drawings of existing prototypes, field observations and personal interview protocols. Observation schedules with “Yes” and “No” ratings were used in ascertaining reflection of the attribute in each of the 7 prototypes studied. It was found featuring only in 3 out of the 7 prototypes. For affordability improvement, the paper recommends inculcating the variables constituting design...
Thermal discomfort is one of the main triggers for occupants’ interactions with components of the... more Thermal discomfort is one of the main triggers for occupants’ interactions with components of the built environment such as adjustments of thermostats and/or opening windows and strongly related to the energy use in buildings. Understanding causes for thermal (dis-)comfort is crucial for design and operation of any type of building. The assessment of human thermal perception through rating scales, for example in post-occupancy studies, has been applied for several decades; however, long-existing assumptions related to these rating scales had been questioned by several researchers. The aim of this study was to gain deeper knowledge on contextual influences on the interpretation of thermal perception scales and their verbal anchors by survey participants. A questionnaire was designed and consequently applied in 21 language versions. These surveys were conducted in 57 cities in 30 countries resulting in a dataset containing responses from 8225 participants. The database offers potentia...
An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the pa... more An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 2020
Architectural technology programmes in Nigeria have steadily evolved with focus on enhancing loca... more Architectural technology programmes in Nigeria have steadily evolved with focus on enhancing local identity and environmental responsiveness to contextual issues peculiar to the Nigerian fabric. However, there remains continuous controversy as to the suitability and application of the curriculum to the emerging socio-economic and cultural needs of Nigerians. This study examined the academic curriculum contents of professional courses offered in architectural technology programmes in Nigerian polytechnics to ascertain inherent factors that enable implementation of design principles for sustainable built environment. This is imperative since the products of this programme constitute key players in the execution of sustainable, safe and inclusive human settlements and cities. This study is based on survey type of research design; three institutions were selected following a stratified random process and two sets of structured interviews administered to two groups of respondents compris...
Achieving optimal levels of indoor thermal comfort in a warm, humid climate continues to pose a c... more Achieving optimal levels of indoor thermal comfort in a warm, humid climate continues to pose a challenge to building occupants in such climatic regions. Buildings are either being retrofitted or designed differently to cater to thermal comfort. As a result, a variety of tactics have been deployed to guarantee optimal thermal comfort for occupants. Some scholars have highlighted the salient contributions of various types of construction materials toward the delivery of different housing types which perform differently under a diverse range of climatic conditions. A plethora of studies suggesting better indoor thermal comfort performance of traditional buildings as compared to contemporary dwellings due to various reasons have been observed. However, limited studies have sought to investigate this suggestion within warm, humid climatic regions. As such, this study engages in an evaluation of indoor thermal comfort qualities of traditional and modern buildings during the dry season wi...
Architectural technology practice in Nigeria is influenced on the one hand by the drive to adopt ... more Architectural technology practice in Nigeria is influenced on the one hand by the drive to adopt technologically advanced techniques aimed at providing solutions to the existing challenges within the built environment, and on the other hand by constantly emerging socio-economic variables associated with high population growth, urban migration and resultant housing demands. From the outset of the drawing proposal to the entire lifespan of buildings, innovative developments in building information modelling (BIM) have enabled architectural technologists attain sustainable feats in the building industry. This study examined the curriculum for BIM training in polytechnics domiciled in Southeast Nigeria and the impact on sustainable development practice within the region. Sixtythree (63) architectural firms and three (3) polytechnics were randomly selected for this study. The survey research design was adopted in this study: two sets of structured questionnaires were administered to arch...
African Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 2021
Studies indicate flexibility in space use in architectural design as enhancing core housing affor... more Studies indicate flexibility in space use in architectural design as enhancing core housing affordability. Despite this and the notion that intended residents cannot afford core houses, it is not yet documented what constitutes this attribute, and whether they featured in the core house designs. This information, required as a check for future designs, is lacking. Study examined flexibility in space use in architectural designs of existing public core housing schemes in Anambra State, Nigeria, using Mixed Method approach (data sourced from architectural drawings of existing prototypes, field observations and personal interview protocols). Observation schedule with “Yes” and “No” ratings was used in ascertaining reflection of the attribute in each of the 7 prototypes studied. The attribute was found featuring only in 1 out of the 7 prototypes. For affordability improvement, the paper recommends consideration of the variables constituting flexibility in space use in future core housin...
Architectural technology programmes have experienced tremendous changes in the bid to address con... more Architectural technology programmes have experienced tremendous changes in the bid to address concerns of local identity and environmental responsiveness to contextual issues that are peculiar to the Nigerian milieu, while still conforming to global standards. This paper examines the academic curriculum contents of architectural technology programmes in Nigerian polytechnics in line with design and technological advancements of the 21st century with a view of establishing its relevance for national development. Adopting the case study research method, data were collected from two sets of questionnaires; one set administered to the tutorial staff of department, and the other set to a group of their graduates in professional practice. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that the graduates' proficiency with varied CADD software packages availed them of more job opportunities. The paper recommends the complete adoption of computer-based workstat...
Journal of Advanced Research and Multidisciplinary Studies, 2021
Studies identify dearth of affordable core houses for households who cannot afford whole houses. ... more Studies identify dearth of affordable core houses for households who cannot afford whole houses. Architectural design characteristics affecting design simplicity have been found to positively influence core housing affordability. Despite this, documentation on whether design simplicity has been considered in the designs of existing core houses is lacking. This is required to check imputs in future designs. Study examined reflection of design simplicity in architectural design of existing public core housing schemes in Anambra State, Nigeria, using Mixed Method approach. Data were obtained from architectural drawings of existing prototypes, field observations and personal interview protocols. Observation schedules with “Yes” and “No” ratings were used in ascertaining reflection of the attribute in each of the 7 prototypes studied. It was found featuring only in 3 out of the 7 prototypes. For affordability improvement, the paper recommends inculcating the variables constituting design...
Thermal discomfort is one of the main triggers for occupants’ interactions with components of the... more Thermal discomfort is one of the main triggers for occupants’ interactions with components of the built environment such as adjustments of thermostats and/or opening windows and strongly related to the energy use in buildings. Understanding causes for thermal (dis-)comfort is crucial for design and operation of any type of building. The assessment of human thermal perception through rating scales, for example in post-occupancy studies, has been applied for several decades; however, long-existing assumptions related to these rating scales had been questioned by several researchers. The aim of this study was to gain deeper knowledge on contextual influences on the interpretation of thermal perception scales and their verbal anchors by survey participants. A questionnaire was designed and consequently applied in 21 language versions. These surveys were conducted in 57 cities in 30 countries resulting in a dataset containing responses from 8225 participants. The database offers potentia...
An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the pa... more An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 2020
Architectural technology programmes in Nigeria have steadily evolved with focus on enhancing loca... more Architectural technology programmes in Nigeria have steadily evolved with focus on enhancing local identity and environmental responsiveness to contextual issues peculiar to the Nigerian fabric. However, there remains continuous controversy as to the suitability and application of the curriculum to the emerging socio-economic and cultural needs of Nigerians. This study examined the academic curriculum contents of professional courses offered in architectural technology programmes in Nigerian polytechnics to ascertain inherent factors that enable implementation of design principles for sustainable built environment. This is imperative since the products of this programme constitute key players in the execution of sustainable, safe and inclusive human settlements and cities. This study is based on survey type of research design; three institutions were selected following a stratified random process and two sets of structured interviews administered to two groups of respondents compris...
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Papers by Marcellinus U Okafor