Examining the Impact of Multilevel Courtyards in Hot-Dry and Humid Climates

Eleazar Chidiadi and Ahmad Taki ()
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Eleazar Chidiadi: Leicester School of Architecture, De Montfort University, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK
Ahmad Taki: Leicester School of Architecture, De Montfort University, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-35

Abstract: Urbanisation has significantly transformed human settlements, presenting sustainability challenges, particularly in hot-dry and humid climates. The urban heat island effect and increased energy consumption exacerbate reliance on mechanical cooling and fossil fuels. As climate change escalates, developing sustainable architectural solutions that improve thermal performance and energy efficiency becomes crucial. This study examines the effects of various multilevel courtyard designs on building performance in Abuja, Nigeria, highlighting gaps in applying traditional principles to these models. A mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques, assesses user perceptions, thermal performance, energy efficiency, and daylighting in multilevel courtyards. Findings indicate that optimised multilevel courtyard configurations yield a 2.15 °C reduction in temperature, enhancing indoor thermal comfort and improving natural ventilation. Users favour multilevel courtyard housing; however, challenges include inadequate daylighting on lower levels and the need for shading solutions. Compressed earth blocks exhibit better thermal performance, reducing peak temperatures by 1.19 °C compared to hollow concrete blocks. Guidelines for architects and urban planners are provided, as well as recommendations for future research on policy incentives to promote multilevel courtyard models.

Keywords: courtyards; multilevel typology; hot-dry and humid; Abuja; simulations; energy efficiency; thermal comfort; case studies; design guidelines; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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