EKONG, UNWANAABASI JUSTIN (2026) DAYLIGHTING STRATEGIES IN THE DESIGN OF STATE HIGH COURT COMPLEX IN UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE. Other thesis, GODFREY OKOYE UNIVERSITY, ENUGU,.
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Abstract
Judicial buildings are critical public institutions where lighting quality directly affects visual performance, occupant comfort, and operational efficiency. In Nigeria, many court facilities suffer from inadequate daylighting, poor spatial organization, and heavy dependence on artificial lighting which is a significant challenge given inconsistent electricity supply. These deficiencies reduce visual comfort, increase energy costs, and compromise the dignity of judicial environments. This study therefore examines the elements of daylighting in judicial buildings and applies the findings to a design proposal for a State High Court Complex in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The research employed descriptive and qualitative methods, including literature review, case study analysis, site analysis, and design synthesis. Six case studies were examined: three Nigerian courts (Federal High Court Abuja, Rivers State High Court Port Harcourt, and Enugu State High Court) and three international examples (Amsterdam Courthouse, Long Beach Courthouse USA, and Leuven Courthouse Belgium). These revealed common problems such as deep-plan layouts limiting daylight penetration, over-reliance on artificial systems, and insufficient consideration of building orientation. They also demonstrated the effectiveness of internal courtyards, clerestory windows, atriums, narrow floor plates, and strategic orientation in improving daylight distribution and visual comfort. The study area along Udo-Udoma Avenue, Uyo, occupies 1.16 hectares within a tropical monsoon climate characterized by high humidity, abundant rainfall, and year-round warm temperatures. The site offers good accessibility, stable ground conditions, and suitable orientation potential for passive environmental design. The study concludes that daylighting should be integrated as a primary design criterion in judicial buildings, not an afterthought. By combining passive daylighting strategies with functional planning and security requirements, the proposed complex offers a sustainable model for judicial architecture in Nigeria and similar tropical contexts. Keywords: Daylighting, judicial buildings, courthouse design, sustainable architecture, tropical climate, passive design, Nigeria.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Other) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | N Fine Arts > NA Architecture |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Natural Sciences and Environmental Studies |
| Depositing User: | Nnenna Ayo |
| Date Deposited: | 27 Jul 2026 08:59 |
| Last Modified: | 27 Jul 2026 08:59 |
| URI: | http://eprints.gouni.edu.ng/id/eprint/6020 |
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