African Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development | Maiden Edition

Vol. 1, Issue 1 (June, 2023) | [Link]

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES AS

A PANACEA TO ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDING

ESAU, James Esau1; Dr. Daminabo F.2 & Owhor Simeon Julius3
Department of Architecture, Rivers State University.
[Link]@[Link]

ABSTRACT
This paper focuses on integrating sustainability as an architectural design principle that
addresses the issue of energy efficiency in buildings. The design approach in the school of
architecture and among practitioners are mostly based on form and function, but
sustainability has in recent time introduced a shift that ensures that both the environment and
the present and future generations can be sustained adequately without depleting available
resources. In architectural practice, the three cores of sustainability; social, economic, and
environmental factors are mostly ignored by architects while making decisions at the design
stage. This topic will focus on efforts that will increase the overall energy efficiency of a
building from the design stage to its lifecycle. In the training and practice of architecture,
sustainability has not been prioritized. This study will evaluate and integrate sustainable
architectural design principles needed to achieve energy-efficient buildings from the
preliminary stage of architectural design. Data were collected through detailed literature
reviews; a case study research strategy was adopted to ascertain the effectiveness and
efficiency of building design with an emphasis on sustainable architectural design principles.
The result reveals that buildings that were designed and built with a sustainable architectural
design approach are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. This paper,
therefore, intends to identify the best architectural design principles for sustainability that
can help architects navigate architectural practice toward a more current approach to
achieving energy efficiency in buildings. This means the introduction of passive design
strategies, design for deconstruction, adaptive reuse, and design for human comfort at
different levels of the architectural design method. The study, therefore, recommends the
need for architects and other allied professionals in the built environment to adopt
architectural design principles with sustainable strategies as a tool for the achievement of
energy-efficient buildings.

Keywords: Design principles, Sustainability, Energy efficient building.

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Published 30/06/2023
ESAU, J.E., Daminabo, F. and Owhor, S.J. (2023). Sustainable Architectural Design Principles as a Panacea to
Energy-Efficient Building. African Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 1(1), 1-13.
 African Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development | Maiden Edition
Vol. 1, Issue 1 (June, 2023) | [Link]

1.0 Introduction
Sustainability in architectural design is a purposeful design of the building and the
environment by the architect and other allied professionals in the building industry with the
aim of implementing the principles of social, economic, and ecological sustainability, in
essence, the architectural design for sustainability should minimize environmental impact and
building energy consumption (Wael, 2017). Lack of introduction of a sustainable approach as
a design principle at the early stage of design would impact negatively the design output.
(Wael 2017) cite (Burger 2008, Fasoulaki, 2008).
In this study, it is imperative to have in-depth knowledge of the link between architecture and
sustainable development, since the connection between architecture and sustainability is the
base for the achievement of an environment devoid of excessive consumption of natural
resources. Every architectural design without the inclusion of sustainability contributes about
50% to exploitation of the natural resources. (Magarida and Miguel 2019) cited (Anink et al
1999, Edward et al 2004).
According to UNESCO and the International Union of Architects (UIA), Charter for
Architectural Education….” Architectural design should integrate those things that influence
the built environment and the way it is designed, planned, landscaped, and maintain (Wael
2017).
Architects must have to reduce through the sustainable architectural design principle the use
of energy and carbon-intensive technologies following the 2015 Paris Climate Accord. To
achieve this, it is imperative to change the present principle of architectural design towards
sustainability. This implies that the practice of architecture and architectural education should
be geared to cover the knowledge of climate and its effect on our built environment.
1.1 Passive Design
The passive design utilizes natural energy sources for cooling, heating, and ventilation for a
comfortable ambient inside the buildings (Alfa et al, 2021) cited (Thomas 2012). Passive
design is known for its simplicity, aesthetic appearance, and zero operational cost.
According to Alfa et al, (2021), passive design approaches if introduce into architectural
design principles essential at the design stage of public buildings like the Ozuoba Medical
Heath Center that requires cooling, refrigeration, and lighting will lead to a sustainable
building with low energy consumption.
Passive design is achieved when the internal space remains thermally comfortable with the
climate in the built area, through building orientation, and proper design of the building
envelopes (floor, walls, windows, and roof) (McGee, 2013).
According to Barry: irrespective of the construction type and climatic variation of places,
buildings should be designed to respond better to their immediate environment, by the
inclusion of passive design strategies from the design stage as it allows for little or no energy
for heating and cooling (Stephen et al, 2010).
1.2 Definition of terminologies
a) Passive architecture; passive architecture refers to a building capable of ensuring living
comfort without a heating or cooling system (Romina Totaro, 2022)

b) Passive design „Passive design is a design that works with the local climate to maintain
a comfortable temperature in the home.

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c) Energy Efficiency: Energy efficiency is defined as the optimization of energy

consumption, with no sacrifice in lighting quality. It is a combination of thoughtful
design and selection of appropriate lamp, luminaire, and control system selection, made
in conjunction with informed choices of the illumination level required, integration, and
awareness of the environment or space which is being lit. (Arup, 2021).

d) Panacea; An eco-friendly design architecture for wellness.

e) Sustainable architecture; defines a building designed and built to significantly reduce the
damages inflicted on the health of its inhabitants and the environment (Spruce 2022)

1.3 Aim and Objectives

The study aims at highlighting existing architectural design principles in relation to
sustainable principles that could enhance sustainability in the architectural practice and the
achievement of energy efficiency in building.

1.4 Objective
i. The objectives involve integrating both architectural design and sustainable principles
in design and construction.
ii. Using the integrating principles as a design tool used by the architects for the attainment
of Energy efficient building design.

1.5 Research question

i. What are the various focus in integrating sustainability as an architectural design
principle.
ii. How energy efficiency in the building can be addressed in line with sustainable
strategies as a tool for the achievement of energy-efficient buildings.

2.0 Literature Review

The present condition and the need for effective sustainable solutions to the global issues on
climate change have brought a lot of challenges to the architectural profession, with a call for
transformation and adaptation (Magarida and Miguel 2019).
The architect needs to understand the principles of sustainability in a more detailed manner
while creating and transforming space into a more energy-efficient building (Brophy and
Lewis, 2011). In order to implement sustainability as a fundamental in the building lifecycle,
sustainable principles should be integrated into the architectural design (Amado et al, 2015).
According to Margarida and Miguel, the principle of architectural design should be based on
flexibility and inclusive planning that should have a link with the sustainable development
objective.
The design stage which is the first decision-making phase of every building design has a lot
of influence on the building‟s performance down to its lifecycle, the architectural design
principle or concept used by the architect should be based on sustainability principles
(Magarida and Migue, 2019). This is possible through the introduction and implementation of
deconstruction, passive, adaptive strategies, and Design for Human Comfort as an
architectural design principle, with the aim of using the architectural concepts above as a
sustainable tool for energy reduction in buildings, looking at it from the design stage (Guy
and farmer, 2011, Kanters et al 2014).

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2.1 Design for Deconstruction,

Deconstruction according to Fernada et al (2015) is the act of putting into use demolished
materials from a demolished building. This process of restoring demolished building
materials serves as a strategy for preserving raw materials (Webster, 2007).
The difficulties associated with deconstructing a building are the hazards, economics, and
assembly time, these problems can be overcome if planned for from the design stage of the
building, if the projects are designed intentionally for deconstruction throughout its life cycle,
and this architectural design principle is called design for deconstruction (Fernada et al.,
2015).
Design for Deconstruction (DfD) is a means of achieving sustainability through waste
reduction, resource conservation, and recovering of waste for reuse and recycling. It is
therefore imperative that architects and other professionals in the built environment to
introduced design for deconstruction from the design stage and as a design approach for
sustainable design (Chris & Fionn, 2005).
2.3 Adaptive Reuse
Adaptive reuse is the process of changing a building‟s overall character with a focus on the
function and other variations made to the building itself, through orientation and the
relationship between spaces which can be an addition or demolition with the sole aim of
preserving the building or site (Fiorani, 2017).According to Schmtid, adaptive reuse is a
condition whereby a building maintains and performs the basic developmental requirements
of the users and still undergoes a steady change in a perfect manner and retains maximum
value in its lifecycle (Zahraa and Sana, 2020) cite Schmtid (2009).The act of recycling and
reuse of building materials according to Rathmann study deals with the change in functional
needs of the society from the building (Zahraa and Sana, 2020) cite Rathmann (1998). These
adaptive reuse strategies can be fully achieved as a sustainable approach if integrated as part
of architectural design principles from the design stage.

Adaptive reuse comes with a lot of economic benefits, it is super-efficient and effective in
space provision, and both the structural elements and partition components can be put to use
making it cost-effective and environmentally friendly. (Zahraa and Sana, 2020)
2.4 Design for Human Comfort
Buildings and the environment are designed for human comfort, these buildings run on
energy for users‟ comfort. In order to achieve comfort there must be a balance between
human comfort and the environment, the architect at the design phase should factor in the
user‟s comfort as part of his architectural design principles for sustainability (Geun and
Jeong, 2014).
Fundamentally, architecture is to protect man from external environmental impact, thus
providing comfortable shelter, which can result in an increase in energy consumption in the
building. But Geun and Jeong, argued that if a new comfort theory is introduced; the energy
usage in the building can be reduced with better satisfaction of occupants‟ comfort (Geun and
Jeong, 2014).
Vitruvius, architectural design principles can be used for better internal comfort by relating
the building with the adjacent natural environment

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Architecture

Climate Comfort

Figure 2.1 Vitruvian Model of Environment in Architecture

Sustainable building energy and comfort cannot be separated; therefore, the architect is
expected to incorporate the five categories of sustainable site, energy & atmosphere,
materials & resources, water & efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in
design (Bauer et al, 2009). Innovation in design that can lead to sustainability can only occur
if sustainable design techniques are integrated into architectural design principles.
2.5 Sustainable Architecture Design Approach
The concept of the Sustainable Architecture Design Approach has been introduced to
combine concern for the well-being of the planet with continued growth and development.
This requires awareness of the full short and long-term consequences of any transformation
of the environment (Ajayi Oluwole, Soyebo Olugbenga, Joseph. J O, 2016).

There are five major elements of sustainable architecture design approaches,

Which are:
a) Sustainable Site Design; this is achievable through minimizing urban sprawl and
needless destruction of valuable land and habitat, which are the usual consequences of
inefficient low-density development. Encourage higher-density urban development,
urban re-development and urban renewal, and brownfield development as a means to
preserve valuable green space.

b) Water Conservation and Quality; Preserve the existing natural water cycle and design
site and building improvements such that they closely follow the site‟s natural “pre-
development” hydrological systems. Emphasis should be placed on retention of storm
water and on-site infiltration and groundwater recharge using methods that closely
follow natural systems. Minimize the unnecessary and inefficient use of potable water on
the site while maximizing the recycling and reuse of water, including harvested
rainwater, storm water, and grey water.

c) Energy and Environment; Minimize adverse impacts on the environment (air, water,
land, natural resources) through optimized building siting, optimized building design,
material selection, and aggressive use of energy conservation measures. Maximize the use
of renewable energy and other low-impact energy sources.

d) Indoor Environmental Quality Principles: Provide a healthy, comfortable, and

productive indoor environment for building occupants and visitors. Provide a building
design, which affords the best possible conditions in terms of indoor air quality,

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ventilation, thermal comfort, access to natural ventilation and daylighting, and effective
control of the acoustical environment

e) Conservation of Materials and Resources. Minimize the use of non-renewable

construction materials and other resources such as energy and water through efficient
engineering, design, planning, and construction and effective recycling of construction
debris. Maximize the use of recycled content materials, modern resource-efficient
engineered materials, and resource-efficient composite-type structural systems wherever
possible.

3.0 Methodology
The study adopted the descriptive approach to present a case study that identifies the
effectiveness of architectural design principles as a sustainable solution in architectural
design. Related literature on both sustainable and architectural design principles where
exhaustively reviewed.

3.1 Case Study and Criteria for Selection

After a careful study and observations, a purpose-built government community health
center was adopted with the following criteria for the practical study:

I. Public buildings that have architectural features different from others,

II. Approved project that adopted the variables under study: passive design,
deconstruction, adaptive reuse, and design for human comfort.
III. Building that is energy efficient.

3.2 Community Medical Health Centre

Location; Ozuoba Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area Rivers State
Project uses; Medical Health Center
Year completed; 2009

Ozuoba Community Health Center was built in 2009 by the Rivers State Government. The
general concept of the building was sustainability, it was achieved from the design stage by
the adoption and co-operation of passive, deconstruction, adaptive, and design for human
comfort as a strategy for energy efficiency which makes the facility unique among the many
health centers built across the state by the state government.

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Figure 3.1 View from the Gate showing both the medical block and the staff quarters

block and the staff quarters

Figure 3.2 View showing the Figure 3.3 View showing roof with solar
reception/waiting area with natural lighten panel

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Figure 3.4 Courtyard Showing Wall finish with Poly-thane sandwich (metal sheet) panel with
an insulating Poly-thane foam
4.0 Findings and Benefits from the Case Study
1. Passive Approach
 Natural ventilation was achieved through the introduction of large windows
 Daylighting was also achieved intentionally from the design, by the orientation and
the large window opening
 The facility runs on about 70% solar energy which makes it efficient and sustainable.

The use of courtyard design as a passive approach enhances the ventilation and lightening

2. Deconstruction
 The choice of de-constructible building materials in this respect makes the process of
maintenance and repairs very easy, without altering the other part or shutting down
activities
 It will allow for future adaptability of the structure and the recycling of materials
especially when after demolishing or remodeling
 The panels are designed to be in a uniform module, which will help in reducing
unnecessary waste during production and reuse.

3. Adaptive Reuse
 Adaptive reuse contributes to and enhances the physical and technical use of the
building.
 It helps in reducing energy demand and carbon emissions (reduce pollution).
 It makes maintenance of public buildings of this nature very easy.
 It is cost-effective
 It enhances and increases the lifespan of public buildings.
 Adaptive reuse helps in maintaining the functional value of the building

4. Human Comfort
 The construction method and materials (the building envelop) help in reducing the
temperature, thereby improving the human comfort

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 The sizes of opening which allowed for continuous airflow through the space makes
humans comfortable
 The building utilizes a passive design approach as a stratagem for enhancing the
relationship between comfort and external condition which help occupants to adapt to
changing environmental conditions

4.1 Jempol Hospital, Negeri Sembilan

Location; Bandar Baru Serting, Jempol, Negeri Sembilan
Project uses; Medical Health Center
Year completed; 2004
The 929-bed CPMC system is one of the largest not-for-profit, tertiary teaching hospitals in
the U.S., and the premier private, acute care enterprise in Northern California. The new, 13-
story hospital, designed to accommodate 555 beds for adults and women/children, along with
affiliated medical offices, specialty outpatient services, and emergency services and parking,
will occupy a full city block.

Figure 4.1. Efficient use of clear glasses as daylight strategy in passive design Spaces Source
(Envision Prince George‟s Community Action Team 2012)
4.2 Sufficient daylight
Figure 4.1 shows additional facility such as gymnasium at rehabilitation area is provided with
careful consideration of natural daylight and access to the therapeutic garden. Sufficient
daylight at waiting area (Figure 4.1) at Pharmacy Department which has also a direct view
out to the courtyard gives a better environment during process of waiting.

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Figure 4.2 Source (Envision Prince

George‟s Community Action Team (2012)

Effective use of clear windows to clearly show exhibition while also serving for ventilation.
Image Source: (Aaron, Mikel, & Olson) as cited in (Pintos, The Burke Museum, 2021) A
large central atrium and “smart glass” skylight likewise foster a bright, daylight interior
experience, without risking damage to sensitive artefacts. The project is LEED® Gold
certified. The building‟s rational scheme holds the complexity of the Burke‟s activities and
collections, both now and into the future (Owhor, Simeon Julius, Arc. Paul Uchenna, 2021).

4.3 University of Virginia Medical Center Replacement Hospital

Location; Bandar Baru Serting, Jempol, Negeri Sembilan
Project uses; University of Virginia Medical Center
Year completed;

Smith Group JJR has provided services to the University of Virginia Medical Center since
1978, including master planning and designing a new 610-bed tertiary care teaching
replacement hospital, as well as a 28,000 sf children‟s outpatient center and a 7,000 sf
outpatient cancer center. Ranked as one of America‟s Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World
Report, the hospital offers state-of-the-art care in endocrinology, cancer, ENT, urology,
neurology and neurosurgery, respiratory disorders, geriatrics, and kidney disease. Ongoing
renovations and expansions in both hospital buildings have accommodated the hospital‟s new
standards of patient-centered care and the most advanced technologies, including a Gamma
Knife unit and neuro angiography suite.

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Figure 4.3 (source: Envision Prince George‟s Community Action Team 2012) shows a
developed sense of a high-density community with the presence of several blocks of high-rise
administrative and staff quarters. However, one has to note that the preference or requirement
for either low-rise or high-rise structure in implementing the hospital project does not hinder
the considerations on passive design but rather adds to the aesthetic of the building.

Figure 4.4 shows sufficient daylight in the waiting area of the hospital (Envision Prince
George‟s Community Action Team 2012)
4.4 Natural ventilation
In Jempol Hospital, the waiting area at the specialist clinic is designed for natural ventilation
with cross ventilation from the courtyard to the external space (Figure 4.4). Sufficient
openings provide natural daylight penetrates into the space. Since the specialist clinic is
facing west, the architect takes the opportunity to design an opening incorporated with sun
shading devices, and louvers below the windows for natural cross ventilation.
Before employing energy-consuming mechanical air conditioning systems, it is important to
consider natural ventilation. All space-conditioning systems involve some basic processes to

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operate; energy collection, storage, distribution, and loss back to the environment. The proper
size and location of all types of openings like doors windows and vents are employed as
natural means of ventilating buildings. Adjustable openings ensure every space within the
building adapts to various seasonal demands. The inlet and outlet of air are placed in either
opposite directions or adjacent to each other. Wright never liked air-conditioning and
preferred natural ways of ventilating the Usonian house through passive means. (David
Gikaru 2017)
4.5 Daylighting
A good approach for excellent daylighting and glare control is separating view and light
windows. Use high-transmission, clearer glazing in high-level windows, and lower-
transmission glazing in view windows to control glare (O‟Connor et al, 1997). Diffuse
glazing on the interior face and glass blocks redirect the skylight to the deeper parts of the
room, to a limited degree, from where the sky is not visible. (Ministry of environment new
Zealand 2008) The same type of prisms can also be used to redirect sunlight to the ceiling,
giving shading in the front of the room, and generally increase daylight levels by diffuse
reflection from the ceiling (Hastings, 1994).
5.0 Conclusion
The achievement of a sustainable building and environment starts with a sustainable design
approach used by the architect. Therefore, the role of the architect in the implementation of
sustainability cannot be overemphasized. The professionals in the built environment
especially the architect must double their effort toward mitigation and resilience, new
techniques, and technology in the design of buildings that must support the sustainability
movement. The architect in his approach to the built environment starts Principles of
architectural design remains a takeoff point to every successful building design and
achievement of energy-efficient building.

6.0 Recommendations
The study, therefore, recommends the following;

1. The integration of passive, design, design for deconstruction, adaptive reuse, and
design for human comfort as part of architectural design principles that would result
in energy-efficient buildings should be adopted in every design of buildings by
architects.

2. The introduction of passive design such as the Ozuoba Medical Health Centre as a
replacement for the active design approach would reduce the carbon footprint and
energy consumption in the building, thereby eliminating excessive dependence on
fossil fuel.

3. The adoption of deconstruction in public buildings or any other building type would
increase project speed(time) and eliminate materials wastage, exhaustion and will
allow for adaptive reuse

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