Integration of Passive Cooling Design Strategies for Enhanced Energy Efficiency in Mid-Rise Office Buildings: An Assessment among Design Professionals in Abuja

Abstract

The growing demand for energy-efficient and climate-responsive buildings motivated this study on the integration of passive cooling design strategies to enhance energy efficiency in mid-rise office buildings in Abuja, Nigeria. Passive cooling offers a sustainable alternative to mechanical air conditioning by harnessing natural environmental forces, airflow, shading and thermal mass, to regulate indoor temperature and reduce energy consumption. This is particularly important in regions with extreme thermal conditions such as Abuja, where it can improve occupant comfort while lowering the operating-energy cost of such buildings. A mixed-methods approach combined quantitative and qualitative data; a total of 86 design professionals within the Federal Capital Territory who have been involved in the design and construction of mid-rise office buildings were sampled. Data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The results revealed that the passive cooling strategy best known to the professionals was natural ventilation through cross- and stack-ventilation (Mean = 4.54, SD = 0.66). Natural ventilation was also the most-integrated strategy (Mean = 4.17, SD = 0.79), though its level of application fell below its level of awareness. Regarding the factors that enhance integration, advanced building modelling and simulation ranked highest (Mean = 4.55, SD = 0.56), while higher first costs was identified as the leading barrier (Mean = 4.32, SD = 0.66). The study concludes that adopting context-specific combinations of strategies and moving towards integrated, hybrid systems, with owners and builders placing greater emphasis on long-term energy efficiency than on initial construction cost, offers the clearest path forward. The findings provide valuable insight for design professionals, office occupants, government and urban planners, HVAC manufacturers, facility managers, and society at large by promoting sustainable, comfortable and lower-carbon office environments. Downloads