Abstract
The design, functionality, and sustainability of mixed-use buildings are significantly shaped by the harmony between culture, climate, and user acceptability, particularly in the socio-environmental context of South-West Nigeria. The study examines the influence of user perception, climate, and cultural values on the adaptability and effectiveness of mixed-use building typologies in the region. Most of these new ideas are still not quite effective in taking weather, culture, or consumer delight into account, but they are fashionable. The study used a mixed-method design that merged quantitative and qualitative data from case studies of mixed-use buildings in South-West Nigeria, with field surveys and interviews from residents and stakeholders. The study looks at how traditional Yoruba spatial culture, social interaction patterns, and communal living patterns affect user expectations and the utilisation of space in existing mixed-use developments. It also reflects on how design decisions, taking into consideration the local climate, influence the long-term performance of buildings as well as occupants’ satisfaction. Some of these aspects include ventilation, daylighting, thermal comfort, and choice of materials. The results indicate that indigenous spatial knowledge, climate-sensitive design principles, and adaptive functional layout are applied in buildings that are more acceptably embraced and sustainably utilised. This study argues that culturally responsive design and user acceptance are interrelated. The outcome of the study highlights that there must be an integrative approach towards design that combines architectural typology and on-site environmental and cultural conditions.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2026 Special Focus—Unseen Unsustainability: Addressing Hidden Risks to Long-Term Wellbeing for All
KEYWORDS
Culture, Climate, Mixed-Use buildings, South-west Nigeria, Urban development, Cultural identity
