Evaluating Human-Centred Design Strategies for Enhancing Occupant Comfort and Well-Being in Institutional Buildings in Lagos, Nigeria.

The quality of indoor environments in institutional buildings significantly influences occupant comfort, productivity, and overall well-being. This study evaluated human-centred design strategies for enhancing occupant comfort and well-being in institutional buildings in Lagos, Nigeria, with a specific focus on university office buildings. A quantitative research design was adopted, utilising a structured questionnaire administered to 55 academic and non-academic staff across selected office buildings. The questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics and perceptions of twenty indoor environmental elements using a seven-point rating scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including mean ratings and frequencies. Findings revealed that office temperature recorded the highest mean rating of 7.9, indicating severe occupant dissatisfaction, followed by indoor air quality at 6.6 and storage space at 6.1. Conversely, availability of work-related meeting rooms and ancillary facilities within the building recorded the lowest mean ratings of 3.9, suggesting relative satisfaction with these elements. The study further identified significant relationships between ergonomic and flexibility factors and occupant satisfaction and efficiency. The findings underscore the critical need for improved thermal comfort strategies, enhanced indoor air quality management, and optimised spatial configurations in institutional buildings. The study concludes that integrating human-centred design principles into building design and facility management can substantially improve occupant well-being and operational efficiency. Recommendations include the adoption of passive cooling strategies, improved ventilation systems, and ergonomic workspace configurations tailored to user needs in Lagos institutional contexts. The study contributes context-specific evidence to inform architectural practice and policy formulation in tropical urban environments.