Challenges To The Design Of Energy Efficient Public Office Buildings In South-East Nigeria

Abstract

Building design has become challenging with growing energy efficiency and sustainability concerns. About 40% of the world’s energy is consumed in buildings. The high energy consumption in buildings tends to be more conspicuous in large or corporate buildings. Optimization of energy performance is a crucial factor in any office building design. This study assessed the challenges to the design of energy efficient office buildings in South-East Nigeria with a view to proffering strategies that would enhance building energy efficiency. Quantitative research design was adopted; this involved survey. A total of 226 copies of questionnaire were distributed to registered architects in South-East Nigeria. Using proportionate sampling technique 23, 89, 14, 63 and 166 copies of questionnaire were distributed to Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and  Imo States respectively. Thirteen (13) variables from the challenges to the design of energy efficient office buildings were studied. Codes (CED-01 to CED-13) were used to represent the variables. Data were analysed using Spearman's rank-order correlation. The findings of the study revealed that the major challenge to the design of energy efficient office buildings in South-East Nigeria is no regulatory framework for achieving energy efficiency in office buildings. This is as attested by 63.5% (105) of the respondents. Based on the findings of the study, there is urgent need for the government to strengthen regulatory frameworks and enforce strict compliance to energy efficiency standards.