BIOPHILIC DESIGN OF A MIXED-USE HIGH-RISE BUILDING IN

VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS

ADEDOYIN-ADEDIPE, STEPHEN ADEOLUWA

(16CA021128)

JULY, 2022
BIOPHILIC DESIGN OF A MIXED-USE HIGHRISE BUILDING IN
VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS

By

ADEDOYIN-ADEDIPE, STEPHEN ADEOLUWA

(16CA021128)
B.Sc. Architecture, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF

POSTGRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE
(M.Sc.) DEGREE IN ARCHITECTURE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
ARCHITECTURE, COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,
COVENANT UNIVERSITY

JULY, 2022

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 ACCEPTANCE

This is to attest that this dissertation is accepted in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for the award of the degree of Master of Sciences in the Department of Architecture,
College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota.

Mr. Taiwo B. Erewunmi

(Secretary, School of Postgraduate Studies) Signature and Date

Prof. Akan B. Williams

(Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies) Signature and Date

iii
 DECLARATION

I, ADEDOYIN-ADEDIPE STEPHEN ADEOLUWA (16CA021128) declare that this

thesis was conducted entirely by me under the supervision of Dr. Daniel O. Babalola of
the Department of Architecture, College of Science and Technology, Covenant
University, Ota, Ogun State. I attest that this thesis has not been presented either wholly
or partly for any degree elsewhere before. All sources of scholarly information used in
this thesis were duly acknowledged and referenced.

ADEDOYIN-ADEDIPE, STEPHEN A.
Signature and Date

iv
 CERTIFICATION

We certify that this thesis paper titled “BIOPHILIC DESIGN OF A MIXED-USE

HIGHRISE BUILDING IN VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS” is an original body of
work carried out by ADEDOYIN-ADEDIPE, Stephen Adeoluwa (16CA021128) of the
Department of Architecture, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University as
supervised by Dr. D. O. Babalola. Upon examination, we have deemed this work
acceptable as part of the requirements for the award of Master of Science (M.Sc.) in
Architecture.

Dr. Daniel O. Babalola

(Supervisor) Signature and Date

Prof. Adedapo A. Oluwatayo

(Head of Department) Signature and Date

Dr. Anthony K. Adebayo

(External Examiner) Signature and Date

Prof. Akan B. Williams

(Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies) Signature and Date

v
 DEDICATION

This project is dedicated to God Almighty for the grace and strength to complete this
project. It is also dedicated to my mother for all the support: financial and otherwise.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge God Almighty for granting me grace and
guidance throughout the duration of the project.

In addition, I want to specially thank Dr. David O. Oyedepo for establishing this great
institution: Covenant University. I would also like to appreciate the efforts of the Vice
Chancellor, Professor Abiodun H. Adebayo; the Registrar, Dr. Promise Omidiora, the
Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Akan B. Williams, and the Sub-
Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Emmanuel O. Amoo for their
commitment towards the successful completion of this degree program; as well as the
faculty and staff of Covenant University. I am eternally grateful.

Equally, I wish to specially acknowledge the Head of the Department of Architecture,

Prof. Adedapo A. Oluwatayo and my studio coordinator and supervisor, Dr. D. O.
Babalola. Their patience and guidance from the commencement to the completion has
been invaluable.

Special thanks to Kings Tower, Eko Pearl Towers, Lagos Continental Hotel and Nestoil
Tower for granting me the opportunity to gather all the necessary data, both quantitative
and qualitative, for the success of this research study.

Most importantly, I would like to acknowledge my mother, Mrs. T. Adedoyin-Adedipe,

for all the support: moral, financial, and otherwise; the prayers and the encouragement to
persevere through it all. I am forever indebted, and God bless you.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS:

ACCEPTANCE iii
DECLARATION iv
CERTIFICATION v
DEDICATION vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS viii
LIST OF TABLES xi
LIST OF FIGURES xiv
ABSTRACT xvii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Background to the Study 1
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem 3
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study 4
1.3.1 Aim of the Study 4
1.3.2 Objectives of the Study 5
1.4 Justification for the Study 5
1.5 The Client/Users 6
1.6 Scope of the Study 6
1.7 Limitations of the Study 7
1.8 Key Definitions and Concepts 7
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 8
2.1 Biophilia 8
2.1.1 The Biophilia Hypothesis 9
2.1.2 Biophilic Design 9
2.1.3 Elements of Biophilic Design 11
2.1.4 The 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design 20
2.2 Quality of Life 23
2.3 Mixed-use Buildings 26
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 28
3.1 Research Philosophy 28
3.2 Research Approach 29

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 3.3 Research Design 30
3.4 Study Population 31
3.5 Choice of Sampling Method 32
3.6 Sample size 32
3.7 Instruments for Data Collection 35
3.8 Detailed Methodology 35
3.9 Data Analysis and Presentation 36
3.10 Ethical Considerations 36
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS 37
4.1 Data Presentation 37
4.1.1 Case Study 1: Black Pearl Tower (Eko Pearl Towers) 37
4.1.2 Case Study 2: Bosco Verticale 48
4.1.3 Case Study 3: Kings Tower 56
4.1.4 Case Study 4: Lagos Continental Hotel 67
4.1.5 Case Study 5: Nestoil Tower, Lagos 74
4.1.6 Case Study 6: One Central Park, Sydney 81
4.1.7 Physical Characteristics of Indigenous High-rise Mixed-use Buildings in
Lagos, Nigeria 91
4.1.8 Adoption of Biophilic Design Strategies in Indigenous High-rise Mixed-
use Buildings in Lagos, Nigeria 92
4.1.9 Physical Characteristics of International High-rise Mixed-use Buildings
93
4.1.10 Adoption of Biophilic Design Strategies in International High-rise Mixed-
use Buildings 94
4.2 Level of Adoption of Biophilic Design Strategies in High-rise Mixed-use
Buildings in Lagos, Nigeria based on User Perception 95
4.2.1 Background Information: Status of Users 95
4.2.2 Biophilic Design Features 100
4.2.3 Overall Satisfaction with Biophilic Design Features Present 105
4.2.4 Overall Satisfaction with the Building and its Environment 106
4.2.5 Overall Adequacy with Biophilic Design Features Present 107
4.2.6 Overall Adequacy of the Building and its Environment 107
4.3 Assessment of the Effects of Biophilic Design features on the Quality of Life of
the Users of the Selected Case Studies. 109
4.3.1 Effects of Biophilic Design features on Mood 109
4.3.2 Users’ Emotional Response to Biophilic Design Features 116
4.3.3 Health of Users over the past Six Months 118
4.3.4 Effects of Biophilic Design features on General Factors Affecting Quality
of Life 121

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 4.3.5 Users’ Perception of Biophilic Design and Quality of Life 131
4.4 Discussion of Results 134
4.4.1 Evaluation of The Selected High-Rise Mixed-Use Buildings 134
4.4.2 Assessment of The Level of Adoption of Biophilic Design Strategies in
High-Rise Mixed-Use Buildings in Lagos, Nigeria 134
4.4.3 Effect of the Biophilic Design Features on the Quality of Life of the Users
of the Selected Mixed-Use Building 135
4.5 Recommendations for Further Study 136
4.6 Site Analysis 136
4.6.1 Site Selection Criteria 136
4.6.2 Site Location 142
4.6.3 Site Analysis 142
CHAPTER FIVE: DESIGN CRITERIA AND APPROACH 145
5.1 Project Goals 145
5.2 Project Objectives 145
5.3 Functional and Space Criteria 146
5.3.1 Parking 146
5.3.2 Retail 146
5.3.3 Recreation 149
5.3.4 Events and Exhibition 149
5.3.5 Commercial 149
5.4 Technological and Environmental Criteria 152
5.5 Legal and Planning Regulations 152
CHAPTER SIX: DESIGN PHILOSOPHY, CONCEPTUALISATION AND
PROPOSAL 155
6.1 Design Philosophy 155
6.2 Design Development Process 155
6.3 Design Considerations 156
6.4 Site Zoning 157
6.5 Bubble Diagram 158
6.6 Design Proposal 160
REFERENCES 161
APPENDICES 167

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1: Elements and Attributes of Biophilic Design 20

Table 3.1: Documented mixed-use high-rise buildings in Lagos, Nigeria 31
Table 3.2: Multi-stage random selection of indigenous mixed-use buildings 33
Table 3.3: Distribution of Questionnaires to the Indigenous Mixed-use Buildings. 34
Table 3.4: Multi-stage random selection of international case studies 34
Table 3.5: Method of Statistical Analysis by Objectives. 35
Table 4.1: Black Pearl Tower Observation Guide. 43
Table 4.2: Bosco Verticale Observation Guide 52
Table 4.3: Kings Tower Observation Guide. 63
Table 4.4: Lagos Continental Hotel Observation Guide. 69
Table 4.5: Nestoil Tower Observation Guide. 79
Table 4.6: One Central Park Observation Guide. 88
Table 4.7: Summary of Biophilic Design Patterns adopted by the indigenous High-rise
Mixed-use Buildings in Lagos, Nigeria. 91
Table 4.8: Summary of the most adopted Biophilic Design Features in the indigenous
High-rise Mised-use Buildings in Lagos, Nigeria. 92
Table 4.9: Summary of Biophilic Design Patterns adopted by the international High-rise
Mixed-use Buildings. 93
Table 4.10: Summary of the most adopted Biophilic Design Features in the international
High-rise Mised-use Buildings 94
Table 4.11: Status of Users 95
Table 4.12: Name of Buildings 96
Table 4.13: Gender of Users 96
Table 4.14: Age Range of Users 96
Table 4.15: Highest Educational Qualification of Users 97
Table 4.16: Occupation of Users 98
Table 4.17: Average Monthly Income of Users 98
Table 4.18: Percentage of Users' Income spent on Housing 99
Table 4.19: Users Freedom from Financial Stress over the past 6 months. 99
Table 4.20: Users' Duration of Work/Residence 100
Table 4.21: Table of Inferences 101

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Table 4.22: Frequency Table for Biophilic Design Features 101
Table 4.23: Mean Scores of highlighted Biophilic Design Features 103
Table 4.24: Summary of Users' Perception of the Biophilic Design Patterns Present. 105
Table 4.25: Overall Satisfaction with Biophilic Design Features Present. 105
Table 4.26: Overall Satisfaction with the Buildings and its Environment. 106
Table 4.27: Overall Adequacy with Biophilic Design Features Present. 107
Table 4.28: Overall Adequacy of the Building and its Environment. 108
Table 4.29: Summary of the Satisfaction with the Biophilic Design Features present and
the Adequacy of the Buildings and their Environment. 108
Table 4.30: Effects of Biophilic Design Features on Feelings of excitement/happiness.
109
Table 4.31: Effects of Biophilic Design Features on Feelings of freedom from curiosity.
110
Table 4.32: Effects of Biophilic Design Features on Feelings of Security and Protection
110
Table 4.33: Effects of Biophilic Design Features on Feelings of Affection and Attachment
111
Table 4.34: Effects of Biophilic Design Features on Feelings of Attraction and Beauty
112
Table 4.35: Effects of Biophilic Design Features on Feelings of Exploration and
Discovery. 112
Table 4.36: Effects of Biophilic Design Features on Feelings of Freedom from
Depression/Sadness. 113
Table 4.37: Effects of Biophilic Design on Feelings of Freedom from Fear and Awe. 113
Table 4.38: Frequency Table for the Effects of Biophilic Design Features on Mood 114
Table 4.39: Mean Scores for the Effects of Biophilic Design Features on Mood 115
Table 4.40: Summary of the Effects of Biophilic Design Features on Mood. 115
Table 4.41: Positive Emotional Response to Biophilic Design Features. 116
Table 4.42: Negative Emotional Response to Biophilic Design Features. 117
Table 4.43: Frequency Table for Users' Emotional Response to Biophilic Design
Features. 117
Table 4.44: Mean Scores for Users' Emotional Response to Biophilic Design Features.
117

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Table 4.45: Summary of the Users' Emotional Response to Biophilic Design Features.
118
Table 4.46:Physical Health of Users over the past 6 months. 118
Table 4.47: Emotional Health of Users over the past 6 months. 119
Table 4.48: Psychological Health of Users over the past 6 months. 120
Table 4.49: Frequency Table for Users' Health 120
Table 4.50: Mean Scores for Users' Health. 120
Table 4.51: Summary of the Users' Health over the past 6 Months. 121
Table 4.52: Frequency Table for the Effects of Biophilic Design Features on General
Factors affecting Quality of Life 127
Table 4.53: Mean Scores for the Effects of Biophilic Design Features on General Factors
affecting Quality of Life. 129
Table 4.54: Summary of the Effects of Biophilic Design Features on General Factors
Affecting Quality of Life. 130
Table 4.55: Users’ Perception of the Overall Positive Effects of Biophilic Design
Features. 131
Table 4.56: Users' Perception of the Overall Negative Effects of Biophilic Design
Features. 132
Table 4.57: Users' Perception of their Overall Quality of Life 133
Table 4.58: Summary of Site Selection Criteria. 141
Table 5.1: Typical Workstation Spaces for Offices. 150
Table 5.2: Space Allocations for Support Spaces in an Office. 151
Table 5.3: Planning Authority Guidelines for Mixed-Use Corridors 1. 153

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1: Lagos Population 2021. 2

Figure 1.2: Lagos City Expansion Map. 3
Figure 2.1: Amazon Sphere Headquarters, Seattle, USA. 10
Figure 2.2: Ha Long Villa, Ha Long, Vietnam. 10
Figure 2.3: Green plants in an interior space. 12
Figure 2.4: CBRE Group Amsterdam Office by Arper. 12
Figure 2.5: Moroccan Biophilic Interior finished with Natural Materials. 13
Figure 2.6: Open Terrariums. 15
Figure 2.7: Planting Plan. 16
Figure 2.8: Minimalist Wabi-sabi Interior Design of a Living Room by Alena Valyavko.
17
Figure 2.9: Stephen Kellert's Six Principles of Biophilic Design. 18
Figure 3.1: Components of Research Approach. 29
Figure 3.2: A Framework for Research-The Interconnection of Philosophical
Worldviews, Designs and Research Methods. 30
Figure 4.1: Black Pearl Tower (Eko Pearl Towers). 37
Figure 4.2: Black Pearl and Champagne Pearl Towers. 38
Figure 4.3: Sample Floor Plan of Black Pearl Tower. 39
Figure 4.4: Black and Champagne Pearl Towers Form. 40
Figure 4.5: Cladding Panels on the Building Exterior Walls. 41
Figure 4.6: Service Duct for Black Pearl Tower. 42
Figure 4.7: Opened-up section of the Suspended Ceiling showing the Services Within.
42
Figure 4.8: Black Pearl Tower Lift Lobby. 43
Figure 4.9: Bosco Verticale Residential Towers. 49
Figure 4.10: Bosco Verticale Structural Layout. 50
Figure 4.11: Bosco Verticale Typical Floor Plan. 50
Figure 4.12: Bosco Verticale Facade Irrigation System. 51
Figure 4.13: Bosco Verticale Penthouse Flat. 51
Figure 4.14: Exterior View of Kings Tower, Ikoyi. Image by Adam Letch. 57
Figure 4.15: Side View of Kings Tower, Ikoyi. Image by Adam Letch. 57
Figure 4.16: Satellite map of Kings Tower, Ikoyi 58

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Figure 4.17: Site Plan. 59
Figure 4.18: Kings Tower Basement Floor. 59
Figure 4.19: Kings Tower Ground Floor. 60
Figure 4.20: Kings Tower Floor Layout Option 01: 4 Offices. 60
Figure 4.21: Kings Tower Floor Layout Option 02: 3 Offices. 61
Figure 4.22: Kings Tower Floor Layout 03: 2 Offices. 61
Figure 4.23: Kings Tower Exterior Wall System. 62
Figure 4.24: Lagos Continental Hotel. 67
Figure 4.25: Lagos Continental Hotel Site Layout. 68
Figure 4.26: Lagos Continental Hotel Floor Zoning. 68
Figure 4.27: Nestoil Tower. 75
Figure 4.28: Nestoil Tower First Office Floor. 76
Figure 4.29: Nestoil Tower Second Office Floor. 76
Figure 4.30: Nestoil Tower Third to Sixth Office Floors. 77
Figure 4.31: Nestoil Tower Eighth to Ninth Office Floors. 77
Figure 4.32: Nestoil Tower Tenth Office Floor. 78
Figure 4.33: Skyline around the building. 82
Figure 4.34: One Central Park-Sydney. 82
Figure 4.35: One Central Park Site Plan. 83
Figure 4.36 : One Central Park Context Plan. 84
Figure 4.37: One Central Park Podium Floor Plan. 84
Figure 4.38: One Central Park Podium Roof Plan. 85
Figure 4.39: One Central Park Typical Level Floor Plan. 85
Figure 4.40: One Central Park Skygarden Plan. 86
Figure 4.41: One Central Park Roof Plan. 86
Figure 4.42: One Central Park Facade. 87
Figure 4.43: Effect of Biophilic Design Features on General Living Conditions. 121
Figure 4.44: Effect of Biophilic Design Features on Productivity at Work. 122
Figure 4.45: Effect of Biophilic Design Features on Focus/Concentration at Work. 122
Figure 4.46: Effect of Biophilic Design Features on General Working Conditions. 123
Figure 4.47: Effect of Biophilic Design Features on Physical Health. 123
Figure 4.48: Effect of Biophilic Design Features on Mental Health. 124
Figure 4.49: Effect of Biophilic Design Features on Leisure Activities. 124
Figure 4.50: Effect of Biophilic Design Features on Social Interactions. 125
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Figure 4.51: Effect of Biophilic Design Features on Personal Safety. 125
Figure 4.52: Effect of Biophilic Design Features on the Natural Environment. 126
Figure 4.53: Effect of Biophilic Design Features on the Living Environment. 126
Figure 4.54: Effect of Biophilic Design Features on Overall Quality of Life. 127
Figure 4.55: Proposed Site Option 01. 137
Figure 4.56: Analysis of Proposed Site 01. 137
Figure 4.57: Proposed Site Option 02. 138
Figure 4.58: Analysis of Proposed Site 02. 139
Figure 4.59: Proposed Site Option 03. 140
Figure 4.60: Analysis of Proposed Site 03. 140
Figure 4.61: Site Location for Proposed Site 02. 142
Figure 4.62: Average wind speeds for Victoria Island over the past 6 months. 143
Figure 4.63: Average rainfall for Victoria Island from January to December. 143
Figure 4.64: Average hours of sunshine for Victoria Island over the past 6 months. 144
Figure 5.1: Sample representation of the Grid Layout. 147
Figure 5.2: Sample representation of the Loop Layout. 148
Figure 5.3: Sample representation of the Diagonal Layout. 148
Figure 6.1: Zoning for the Proposed Site. 157
Figure 6.2: Ground Floor Bubble Diagram 158
Figure 6.3: First Floor Bubble Diagram 158
Figure 6.4: Second Floor Bubble Diagram 159
Figure 6.5: Typical Office Floor Bubble Diagram 159

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 ABSTRACT

Through the years, it has been discovered that human beings have a natural urge to be
affiliated with their natural environment. This inclination was termed ‘biophilia’. The
value of being in touch with nature has been recognized and proven, leading to increased
attempts to incorporate nature-related features into the built environment. Considering
this, the aim of this study was to investigate biophilic design strategies and quality of life,
with a view to creating a design proposal for a mixed-use high-rise building in the city of
Lagos designed to enhance the quality of life of its occupants.
For the methodology, a mixed approach was adopted whereby quantitative data was
gathered via a structured questionnaire and qualitative data was gathered via careful
observations and evaluation of selected case studies.
The results of the study showed that the indigenous case studies adopted biophilic design
strategies to a good extent and the most adopted strategies were highlighted. It also
revealed that biophilic design strategies had a net positive impact on the users’ quality
of life as confirmed both by the researcher and by the respondents themselves. Finally, in
lieu of all the findings, a design proposal was submitted for a high-rise mixed-use building
that incorporates biophilic design strategies to enhance the quality of life of its users.

Keywords: Biophilic Design, Mixed-use Buildings, Quality of Life

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