The present research is a specialized chapter from a multilateral series of studies under the general title "The Archaeology of Architectural Design". Within this context, the analysis of the architectural structure of the Bent Pyramid of Sneferu is already published, available at Academia.edu/DVilouras under the title "Egypt in the Shadow of the Followers of Horus II", where (pp.7-14; 38-44) the establishment of the Quadrangular geometric sequence based on the “Eight-pointed Solar symbol named Dingir - Deus” is presented, and reference is made to its intercultural dissemination. A further step was the painstaking architectural analysis of the great Athenian Temple, which has been published in the same website with title "Parthenon: The realization of the absolute in the context of an Enlightened Ancient Greek Architecture". In the introduction to the research on the 'architectural structure' of the Roman Pantheon, reference is made to the philosophical background that motivated and led its architect(s) to adopt an absolutely 'innovative form', which was to change the then dominant Classical visual/expressive standard leading it to a new Romantic version. During its original elaboration – with the obvious aim of constructing a temple-calendar which would portray the state of Heaven in its annual rotation – its designers managed to transform it to an 'artificial Universe' structured on a 'complete system of numbers'. This very arithmetic-geometric system of the architectural structure of the Pantheon is recorded by the present research, the logic of which is simple: IF, in the ideal analysis of the monument that follows, the resulting dimensions and other details of its members are "identical" to those resulting after on-site measurements listed by third parties, THEN, this was its exact original design. Any substantiated objection to it will be favorably received.
A comparative study on grandeur perception in mosque architecture in Aceh, specifically between historic and modern buildings through a semiotic approach, has not previously been conducted. This study aims to identify and compare the architectural and non-architectural elements that constitute the perception of grandeur in Masjid Po Teumeureuhom (17th century) and Masjid Raya Pidie-Labui (1984), using Roland Barthes’ semiotic approach. The research question posed is: how is the perception of grandeur formed in traditional and modern mosques in Pidie through architectural composition analysis and Barthes’ two-order semiotic model? A qualitative descriptive-comparative study was conducted through three procedures: 1. Facade composition analysis based on five architectural composition principles (scale, balance, proportion, harmony, and contrast); 2. Barthesian two-order semiotic reading (denotation, connotation, myth) applied to nine facade elements; and 3. In-depth interviews with 8 informants, consisting of 3 key informants (mosque leaders and local historical sources) and 5 participant informants (congregants and visitors). Data triangulation was performed between physical observation, semiotic readings, and informant narratives. Results show that Masjid Po Teumeureuhom achieved grandeur in 7 of 9 compositional elements studied, whereas Masjid Raya Pidie-Labui achieved grandeur in only 3 elements, with its primary weakness being the inconsistency of style adoption that obscures architectural identity. These findings imply that architectural grandeur in mosques is not solely determined by building size, but by the consistency of meaning, integrity of cultural identity, and historical depth embedded in each architectural element.
The growing frequency of security events in public assembly buildings has created a demand for design-based security techniques that enhance safety without sacrificing architectural quality or user experience. Passive security design solutions, which rely on environmental design rather than mechanical surveillance, offer a long-term and non-intrusive method of crime prevention. This study investigates the effectiveness of passive security design solutions in event centre architecture in Nigeria, using Abuja as a case study. A structured questionnaire was administered to 112 built-environment professionals, including architects, engineers, event centre managers, and security personnel. Cronbach's alpha values varied from 0.679 to 0.818, demonstrating adequate internal consistency. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Relative Importance Index (RII), mean score ranking, and the Kruskal-Wallis H tests. The findings indicate that landscape and building design are the most effective passive security strategies (RII = 0.766), followed by access control and physical security measures. Major roadblocks include high initial costs, regulatory constraints, and a lack of professional capability. Resistance to change, skilled labour availability, and material access all demonstrated statistically significant differences between professional and age groups. According to the study, including passive security early in the planning phase can significantly increase safety at Nigerian event venues. Aside from identifying effective solutions, the article provides a feasible multi-layered design framework that incorporates passive security concepts into site layout, spatial zoning, illumination, and supporting technology. Architects and policymakers can use a design-based framework and spatial strategy to build safer event centre environments.
Improving the efficiency of educational buildings is essential to meeting campus sustainability targets. This study evaluates the green-building performance of Block A, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Syiah Kuala University, by integrating Greenship Existing Building (EB) v1.1 and EDGE v3.0 to assess energy, water, and material efficiency in a humid-tropical academic facility. A mixed-methods approach combined field observations, interviews, and technical/operational document review. Greenship scoring reached 71 of 117 points: Appropriate Site Development 12/16, Energy Efficiency and Conservation 28/36 (including 8 bonus points), Water Conservation 11/20 (including 1 bonus point), Material Resources and Cycle 7/12, Indoor Health and Comfort 8/20, and Building Environmental Management 5/13. Performance is generally good, but indoor comfort and environmental management require improvement. EDGE confirms the result, indicating savings of 31.75% in energy, 21.48% in water, and 24.10% in materials, all above the 20% threshold. Simulation of upgrades recommends a simple rainwater-harvesting system, installation of water sub-meters, reactivation of solar panels, and energy-focused operation and maintenance policies supported by integrated IoT monitoring. Overall, the combined Greenship–EDGE framework effectively pinpoints enhancement opportunities and offers a replicable model for green-campus development in Indonesia.
The enhancement of the community's standard of living has intensified the desire for an improved environment. Nonetheless, new issues have arisen concurrently with a notable increase in energy consumption, particularly in type 36 residential dwellings in Palapa Village Housing, Lhokseumawe, Aceh. Excessive energy use elevates indoor temperatures and undermines the thermal comfort of the inhabitants. This study seeks to examine the impact of building orientation on thermal comfort in residential properties within the region. This study employs a quantitative methodology on 53 residential samples to assess the impact of solar exposure on achieving optimal interior thermal conditions. The research findings demonstrate that northern orientation is superior in mitigating heat load from noon to evening, consistently offering enhanced thermal performance compared to western and southern orientations. Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous in tropical climates, especially when integrated with designs that facilitate cross-ventilation and natural shading. The building's orientation significantly influences airflow and the efficacy of natural ventilation. Under diurnal simulation settings, the building orientation in Palapa Village significantly affects airflow patterns and ventilation efficacy, although the surface temperature distribution remains rather consistent across orientations. In conclusion, a correlation exists between building orientation and thermal performance, yielding design recommendations that can improve thermal comfort and promote energy efficiency in comparable housing in the future.
Utilizing lateritic soil from Iyamho, Edo State, Nigeria, as the base material, this study examines the probabilistic reliability and mechanical performance of reinforced and unreinforced concrete beams stabilized with sulphonate naphthalene-formaldehyde (SNF) super plasticizer (SP430) at dosages of 0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%. At curing ages of 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, flexural strength tests were conducted on prismatic beams (500 × 100 × 100 mm) that were reinforced with 10 mm stirrups and 12 mm longitudinal bars. To evaluate safety margins, the First Order Reliability Method (FORM) was utilized, which produced reliability indices (β) based on stochastic variables such as reinforcement properties, modulus of rupture (MoR, N/mm 2 ), and failure load (F, kN). The results demonstrate that reinforced beams outperformed unreinforced beams in terms of failure loads (4.202–4.255 kN) and MoR (3.15–3.19 N/mm 2 ) with SP430 considerably increasing strength, especially in unreinforced beams where a 7.5% dosage increased F by 12% as opposed to 1.2% in reinforced beams. Although high SP dosages somewhat decreased β because of slight matrix variability, unreinforced beams showed higher β (9.03–9.15) than reinforced beams (8.75–8.76), indicating simpler failure modes. While β values significantly surpass Eurocode targets (3.5–4.5), indicating overly conservative designs that can be optimized, the constant coefficient of variation (10%) across all beams indicates stable material properties. By lowering the cement content and increasing early-age strength, SP430 enhanced workability and matrix density, promoting sustainable design. With suggestions for more research into dosage optimization and long-term durability, these findings highlight the potential of SP430 in optimizing lateritic soil-based concrete for economical, dependable, and ecologically friendly geotechnical and structural applications in tropical regions.
In the rapidly urbanizing city of Dhaka, the availability of open play spaces within private apartment complexes represents a critical yet systematically overlooked dimension of urban residential planning. With the rapid expansion of urban infrastructure and increasing land scarcity, unstructured outdoor play opportunities for children have significantly diminished. Bangladesh's National Children's Policy (BNCP) explicitly recognizes play as a fundamental right of children, stipulating that all environments inhabited by children should meet child-friendly standards. Existing regulations under Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) 2020 and Dhaka Imarat Nirman Bidhimala (DINB) 2008 mandate that private apartment complexes constructed on a minimum of 20 katha of land must allocate designated portions for children's open play areas. However, despite these regulatory frameworks, the degree to which these play areas satisfy child-friendly criteria remains largely unexplored, and the perspectives of primary users—parents and children—are seldom integrated into planning and evaluation processes. This study critically assesses the current state of children's open play spaces across three private apartment complexes in three distinct residential areas of Dhaka city. Employing a mixed-method approach, the research combines structured questionnaires administered to parents, focus group discussions with children, and a checklist-based physical assessment aligned with established child-friendly criteria. Furthermore, this study examines the degree of compliance with existing regulations governing children’s play spaces in apartment complexes. Findings reveal systemic deficiencies across physical, environmental, cognitive, and social parameters—including inadequate safety measures, restricted accessibility, poor hygiene management, and insufficient play equipment. No complex fully complied with the minimum regulatory requirement of allocating 10% of total land area to children's play space. These findings offer crucial insights into existing gaps in play area provision and inform the design of more effective strategies for future urban and residential development in Dhaka.
Lecture theatres are contributors of high energy consumption and the emission of greenhouse gases in Nigeria’s public institution. This consumption of this excess energy came as a result of lightening and ventilating the lecture theatres through conventional means. Therefore, the need to optimise window performance for natural lighting and ventilation in the lecture theatres has become necessary in order to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gases emission in the environment. The study is aimed at assessing window performance towards the provision of natural lighting and ventilation in lecture theatres within Bauchi state public institutions of learning. Lecture theatres in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP), Federal Polytechnic Bauchi (FPTB), and Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) were sampled out of the numerous learning institutions in the state. The purpose of the study is to reduce the excessive use of non-green energy and the CO2 emissions associated to the building energy consumption in the lecture theatres. The window performance was assessed through accessing the occupants’ perception in the provision of natural lighting and ventilation. Interviews, observation and questionnaires were used to assess their comfort level with natural ventilation and their satisfaction with natural lighting. The results from the study area identified that, the more occupants of the lecture theatres gets comfortable with window performance in the provision of natural ventilation, the more satisfied they become with the window performance in the provision of natural lighting. In conclusion the study recommends the integration of occupants’ perception in the design of lecture theatres and a design model for building professionals that will effectively optimise energy efficiency in lecture theatres.
The construction industry plays a crucial role in global economic development but continues to struggle with persistent challenges such as low productivity, limited digital adoption, and resistance to technological advancements. Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a transformative opportunity to address these inefficiencies by automating tasks, optimizing resource management, and improving project oversight. This paper provides a comprehensive review of AI applications in the construction sector, analyzing current trends, key innovations, and future directions. The study explores AI-driven technologies such as robotics, autonomous machinery, defect detection systems, and predictive analytics, highlighting their impact on efficiency, sustainability, and safety. Robotics and automation streamline labor-intensive tasks, reducing project delays and costs, while AI-powered defect detection enhances quality control through real-time monitoring. Additionally, predictive analytics improve risk assessment and decision-making, enabling more proactive project management. To illustrate AI’s real-world benefits, this paper presents case studies showcasing successful implementations of AI in construction projects. These examples demonstrate how AI has improved workflow efficiency, minimized waste, and enhanced worker safety. However, despite these advantages, widespread adoption remains slow due to challenges such as high implementation costs, workforce adaptation concerns, and ethical considerations. The paper discusses these barriers in detail, emphasizing the importance of strategic investments, industry-wide collaboration, and specialized workforce training to bridge the digital divide. Ultimately, this review underscores the critical role of AI in shaping the future of construction. While AI-driven innovations hold immense potential, their successful integration requires a balanced approach that considers technological, economic, and ethical factors. The paper concludes by advocating for targeted policies, increased research efforts, and structured training programs to ensure a seamless transition into AI-enhanced construction practices.
Constructivist architect Yakov Shteinberg is a significant figure in Ukrainian culture. Information about his activities and fate during the Soviet era was hushed up, despite the fact that he was recognized as the "First Architect of Ukraine", due to punishment during the struggle of the Soviet government "with cosmopolitans". The article proposes to consider three stages of the political and economic state of the state and their impact on the life and activities of the master in the conditions of the USSR. Such an assessment of the dependence of the life of society and an individual creative personality on the communist leadership of the country allows us to determine why and for what exactly in the Soviet Union a unique style of "constructivism" arose in the world, why it was banned by the authorities during its consolidation and how this affected the life of the creative intelligentsia on the example of the biography of Ya. A. Shteinberg. The purpose of the study is to identify the specifics of the scientific and creative activities of the constructivist architect at different stages of the existence of Soviet Ukraine and his outstanding role in the formation of Ukrainian architecture, despite the dependence on the political regime. The methods of the study are biographical, causal relationship between the orders of the governing bodies and the activities of the artist, comparative analysis between the stages of the professional activity of the specialist. To obtain the results, an important component of the research was the study of contemporary publications that testified to the events and the state of affairs in the state, and the personal articles of Yakov Shteinberg were of particular importance. The results of scientific research proved that the life of an individual in the conditions of totalitarianism, characteristic of the communist system of power, required the individual and society to completely submit to the political regime. The novelty of the proposed topic lies in the initial consideration of the biography of the artist and his activities through the study of the peculiarities of the political and economic conditions of life and activity of the country, determining the influence of these conditions on the cultural activities of the people in the field of architecture and urban planning and the formation of the personality of the constructivist architect Ya. A. Shteynberg.
Background: The postnatal phase is a critical time for women to rest and to recover after giving birth, and the hospital environment can influence the wellbeing experiences of new mothers. Existing research found aspects of the physical environments that are supportive of women during labour and birth, but research focusing on the environmental factors in postnatal environments, where women recover after birth, is limited and important. Purpose: The study investigated environmental factors and spatial features in postnatal environments that make an impact on women’s physical recovery and wellbeing following birth. Methods: Data were collected through online survey questionnaires from 229 postnatal women who gave birth in New Zealand hospitals and from 58 midwives (N = 287) who worked in postnatal settings. Midwives recruited women and their colleagues using a snowball sampling method and provided dedicated links to women and midwives to access the online survey questionnaires. Midwives filled out identical questionnaires as women; the only difference was data related to their demographic characteristics. Descriptive statistics and the independent-samples t-test were used to analyse the data... Results: Women’s and midwives’ have strong preferences for single-occupancy rooms, visual or physical connection to the outdoors, and views of nature, all of which were ranked significantly high, indicating both women and midwives desire personal control in the space, as well as connections to the outside during postnatal hospitalisation. The study participants also indicated a strong preference for air quality and room freshness, adequate daylight in the room, art and nature images and the presence of colours in the interior spaces. These design features were thought to be critical design elements for promoting rest, recovery and psychological wellbeing in postnatal settings. Conclusions: The results of this study highlight the importance of several key environmental design features, providing beneficial insights into women’s psychological recovery and wellbeing and suggesting the need for awareness by architects, and healthcare providers for creating restorative postnatal healthcare settings for women following birth.
As The Mad Drummer (狂鼓史) demonstrates a close correlation between performance and spectatorship, it appears baffling that the storyteller Liu Jingting claims that he does not need an audience in Kong Shangren’s (孔尚任) The Peach Blossom Fan (桃花扇). In order to answer the question, this paper interprets The Peach Blossom Fan (桃花扇) as a dynamic realm with geographic and metaphorical places rather than a static literary text. Master of Ceremonies’ multiple identities extend the notion of metaphorical displacement to an ongoing movement of shifting in and out the role inside performances. His repeated passages in and out the acting role and the performative realm signal a linear and cyclical dynamism. In terms of genre, a comparison between Ma Zhiyuan’s (馬致遠) deliverance play “Yueh-yang Tower” (呂洞賓三醉岳陽樓) and the historical play The Peach Blossom Fan (桃花扇) further analyzes distinctive dynamisms in dreamscape and in theatricality. Moreover, an examination of Zhang Dai’s (張岱) “Mid-September on West Lake (西湖七月半) ” points out a concentric spectatorship and a paradox of spectatorship. Spectator’s simultaneous states of being the subject and the object of gazing result in endless circles of watching and a concentric spectatorship with hierarchies. The paradox of spectatorship echoes the dynamism of The Peach Blossom Fan (桃花扇) with notions of liminality and ongoing movement, but restricts the dynamism due to endless layers of concentric spectatorship. Thus, we can answer the question by stating that although Liu Jingting (柳敬亭) desires to escape audience’s gaze and has the ability to temporarily step out of theatricality, it is still impossible for him to completely escape the audience due to the paradox of spectatorship.
In this era of neoliberal globalization, there is a need to explore the discipline known as adaptive reuse in architecture. This practice – which originated in Anglosaxon nations, principally in the United States – supposedly contributes to caring for the environment by reusing buildings and construction materials. Some authors argue that architectural reuse has been carried out by humans since the earliest constructions. The so-called architectural “policy of reuse” - which first arose in Italy during the 1960s and 70s in an effort to carry out so-called “holistic conservation” of the Historic Center of Bologna – presented a novel approach to historical heritage conservation, specifically built heritage. This article explores different approaches to reuse upon restoring such heritage architecture. We begin this work with a historical overview of what reuse has meant to humans, its relationship to the restoration of monuments, and the moments in which other visions of reuse emerged, such as the current adaptive reuse. As a final part of the work, and in the search to conclude whether adaptive reuse is a serious proposal and one that can transcend time, we review the classification made by Dr. Liliane Wong for the different ways of intervening in heritage from this perspective.
Architecture in Iran’s mountainous regions—especially in the Zagros—has always been more than shelter; it has been a reflection of how humans listen to the land. Traditional builders, guided by experience and necessity, shaped homes that belonged to their environment: thick walls to hold the warmth, narrow openings to guard against the cold, roofs that followed the slope of the earth. These were not just design choices, but quiet agreements with nature, that harmony is fading. Standardized materials and globalized construction methods often ignore the wisdom embedded in local forms. Buildings are now more fragile, less efficient, and disconnected from both culture and climate. This research invites a new conversation—between the ancient and the advanced. It explores how nanotechnology can breathe new life into architectural skins in the Zagros, not just by improving insulation or durability, but by helping buildings feel again. Six innovative materials—ranging from photocatalytic coatings to bio-responsive membranes—are studied not only for their performance, but for their potential to restore meaning and connection in architecture. The results suggest a subtle but powerful shift: when modern science honors traditional sensibility, architecture becomes more than functional—it becomes alive. A building’s surface transforms into a kind of living skin, one that responds to light, temperature, and time, just as the old homes once did. This is not about replacing the past, but about extending it—with care, with intelligence, and with empathy. In this vision, nanotechnology is not a tool of erasure, but of remembering differently. It allows architecture to root itself once more in place, while still reaching toward the future.
This research paper examines the evolution of architectural designs of arches, columns, and domes from the Renaissance to the Baroque period, uncovering the shifting cultural and artistic priorities of these eras. The analysis reveals how Renaissance architecture, characterized by symmetry, balance, and classical geometry, reflected the humanistic values of rationality and order. In contrast, Baroque architecture introduced dynamic, theatrical elements, prioritizing emotional resonance and spiritual grandeur. The paper demonstrates how these elements evolved in complexity, functionality, and symbolism by comparing notable structures such as Brunelleschi’s Florence Cathedral and Borromini’s San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane. The findings underscore that architecture during these periods was not merely a physical endeavor but also a profound cultural narrative. Through this exploration, the study highlights how the innovations of these styles continue to shape modern architecture, leaving an enduring legacy of creativity and beauty.
This article is part of a much larger study conducted first in 2008 and with a follow up study in 2024. It investigates the vernacular architecture of the Ijo migrant fishermen in Nigeria’s Niger Delta regions. Using an in-depth case study approach, interviews and focus group strategies as methodology, this paper examines new and old concepts in nomadology such as migrant labour mindset and anticipated mobility as the main generative concepts and underlying philosophies that have influenced the production of this unique dwelling type. The paper also discusses certain attributes in terms of spatial layout, material use, construction techniques and method of abandonment of the dwelling, observed during survey, which may qualify it to be subsumed under the nomadic architecture category.
With the continuous enhancement of society's awareness of caring for vulnerable groups, barrier-free design in public landscape spaces has gradually become an important part of urban humanized construction. Pregnant women, as a special group, face many physical and psychological pressures during outdoor activities. Their rest behavior puts forward higher requirements for the safety, comfort and emotional support of public space seats. This paper takes "public space seats for pregnant women" as the research object, based on relevant regulations such as the "Standards for the Construction of Barrier-Free Environments", combined with user behavior observation and questionnaire surveys, analyzes the differences in the needs of women in different pregnancy stages in terms of age, physiological state, psychological changes, body proportions and other dimensions, and extracts five groups of key data for comparative analysis. On this basis, the FBS design method is used to systematically construct from the perspectives of function, behavior and structure, and further combines the TRIZ inventive problem-solving theory to identify the contradictions and conflicts in the design and propose innovative solutions. Through case analysis and design verification, this paper finally proposes a set of public space seat design schemes for pregnant women that take into account functionality, safety and emotionality, in order to provide empirical value and theoretical significance for barrier-free and human-oriented design in urban public facilities.
This study aims to determine the ornaments in Tongkonan Mario. The location of the study is in Batu-Batu Soppeng. The type of research is qualitative. Data collection techniques: Primary data is obtained through observation, Secondary data comes from literature studies, books, articles, and the internet. Data collection steps: 1) inventorying all existing ornaments in Tongkonan Mario, 2) identifying the symbolic meaning of each ornament in the Tongkonan Mario traditional house. Data were analyzed descriptively qualitatively, with the following steps: Data collection, Data presentation, data reduction, and drawing conclusions. Results of the study show that: Ornaments on Tongkonan Mario are as follows: 1) Ornaments in the form of Statues and Structures, consisting of: a) Kabongo' a symbol of nobility, b) Katik a symbol of nobility and leadership, and c) Tulak Somba a symbol of warding off disaster, d) Andiri Posi' a symbol of the unity of Tongkonan with the Earth. 2) Ornaments in the form of carvings, consisting of four main types of carvings, namely: a) Barre Allo Carving, a symbol of Divinity, a symbol of nobility and greatness, and a symbol of the unity of the Toraja region with the term "Tondok Lepongan Bulan Tana Matarik Allo" (Toraja region that is round like the moon and sun). b) Pa'manuk Londong Carving, a symbol of courage and leadership, and a symbol of protection for the family and community, and a symbol of customary law. c) Pa'tedong Carving, a symbol of welfare and prosperity. d) Pa'sussuk Carving is not found on Tongkonan Mario. In addition, there are 63 other types of carvings which are complementary carvings, each with its own symbolic meaning as a guide for the community, especially for Tongkonan owners.
Office buildings in Banda Aceh serve a vital role as the administrative and governmental centers of Aceh Province. Therefore, these buildings are expected to reflect the regional identity of 'Aceh.' The facade serves as both the face and the identity carrier of the building but also conveys impressions and characteristics that embody the identity of a place. Tengku Mohammad Daud Beureueh Street is a key corridor that connects the commercial, service, and governmental centers of Banda Aceh. However, design changes along this corridor have resulted in a lack of unity among the buildings. In fact, visual harmony between buildings is essential to create a strong and meaningful urban character. Despite their symbolic importance, the facades of government buildings in Banda Aceh have received limited attention, as reflected by the absence of architectural regulations governing the visual quality of urban areas. This highlights the need for a study on the arrangement of government building facades as a means of reinforcing the identity of Banda Aceh. This research aims to evaluate the characteristics of office building facades in creating a representative urban image. A descriptive qualitative methodology was employed, utilizing physical aspect analysis through observation of facades, visual assessments, and expert interviews. The findings reveal that the Tengku Mohammad Daud Beureueh corridor features diverse architectural styles, with 38% of buildings incorporating local architectural values. While some buildings display traditional Acehnese ornaments, many lack visual coherence, resulting in disharmony. Interviews with experts suggest the need for more specific facade design guidelines to promote the integration of local architecture. Design recommendations include the use of Acehnese elements to establish a harmonious visual rhythm. Urban planning should strive for a balance between modern architectural expression and the preservation of local cultural values in order to build a strong and distinctive identity.
This study investigates the experiences of home renters amid ongoing waves of housing modifications in Ikorodu, Lagos, focusing on the drivers of these changes and their implications for residents’ satisfaction. A convenience sampling method was used to select renters living in modified dwellings. Data were analyzed using Weighted Mean Score (WMS), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and a stepwise regression model. Four key findings emerged. First, the most frequently altered interior spaces were bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens-modifications often associated with converting blocks of flats into more compact, shared arrangements such as roomy apartments. Second, renters reported varying degrees of dissatisfaction with the modifications, primarily due to the prioritization of economic gains over safety, comfort, and convenience. Third, economic pressures and property/neighborhood characteristics were identified as the primary drivers of these changes, while institutional and political factors played a comparatively minor role, revealing a regulatory gap. Lastly, regression analysis confirmed the strong influence of economic and property-related variables on occupant satisfaction, enhancing the explanatory power of the model. The study highlights the need to prioritize renters’ interests as key stakeholders in the housing modification process. Strengthening institutional frameworks and regulatory oversight is essential to ensure that housing adaptations align economic objectives with resident well-being.
