INTEGRATION OF DYNAMIC SHADING SYSTEMS TO OPTIMIZE DAYLIGHTING AND REDUCE COOLING LOADS IN HIGH-RISE OFFICES

Abstract

Adequate thermal and visual comfort remains a challenge for many high-rise office buildings in Abuja, Nigeria, where facades often lack proper passive solar shading and rely heavily on mechanical cooling to manage excessive heat gain under the city's hot tropical climate. This study evaluates the use of passive solar shading strategies in high-rise office buildings in Abuja as a means of enhancing user comfort and sustainable design. It examines the status of existing shading knowledge, the extent of current integration, and the technical, economic and regulatory constraints on effective implementation. Using a mixed-methods approach, quantitative data were obtained from 50 architectural and engineering professionals involved in the design of high-rise offices in Abuja, alongside qualitative case-study observation of shading strategies identified from the literature. The results show that of the nine strategies examined, deep reveals and horizontal louvres / light shelves recorded the highest knowledge (Means of 3.74 and 3.48), while integration remained low across every strategy (all means below 3.0). Cost implications and developer priorities were the leading barriers to integration (Means of 4.68 and 4.66), while energy savings and climate responsiveness were rated the highest success factors (Means of 4.96 and 4.70). The study highlights the key focus areas for passive solar shading in high-rise office buildings and recommends directions for embedding the strategy in future design.