Assessment of Acoustical Performance of Residential Buildings for Sustainable Liveability and Satisfaction in Awka, Anambra State Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the acoustical performance of residential buildings in Awka, Anambra State to determine the level of satisfactions of the occupants. The study surveyed the residential buildings and distributed questionnaires to the users and occupiers of different classes of residential buildings. The results of the survey were analysed using Means Satisfaction Index (MSI) and Relative Performance Index (RPI) to assess the level of satisfaction of the occupants of the buildings and the acoustical performance of the buildings respectively based on 12 selected acoustic performance criteria. It further used Pearson Product Moment Correlation to establish the relationship between occupants’ level of satisfaction and acoustic performance of the buildings. The study found that the overall acoustic performance of the buildings was grossly poor and unsatisfactory with average RPI of 0.35. It also found that the residents were very dissatisfied with the acoustic performance of the buildings in which they live (average MSI =1.74). The study further found that there was significant positive relationship between the occupants’ level of satisfaction and acoustic performance of the buildings with a Coefficient Correlation (r) of 0.875 and a computed t-test value of 5.708 which is greater than the critical t- value (2.228) tested at 5% significance level. The Coefficient of Determination (R2 = 0.7567) then suggested that about 75.69% level of satisfaction of the occupants of the residential buildings in Awka could be triggered by the acoustic performance of the buildings in which they live. On this evidence, the study craves for the enforcement of the provisions of the National Building Code as regards to sound control in buildings. In addition, there is need for adoption of different strategies for improving acoustics performance of buildings such as absorption, mechanical decoupling, mechanical damping, blocking, covering, etc., so as to promote good acoustic practices that would improve sustainable performance of our buildings and decline the resulting consequences of sounds in our residential buildings.

Bioclimatic practices in modern residential building design and construction in South-Eastern Nigeria

“…This could be attested from the result, as their level of knowledge was limited to basic environmental performance criteria such as ventilation, visual comfort and utility. Secondly, most of the occupants were renters and do not have any input in the design and construction of the building they live in [85]. Besides, home owners are more likely to express satisfaction with their houses than tenants [59].…”

“…The study revealed that the occupant perceived satisfaction is positively related to the building performance criteria. A related study carried out by [85] on acoustical performance of residential buildings in Awka, Anambra State to determine the level of satisfactions of the occupants also revealed that the overall acoustic performance of the buildings was grossly poor and unsatisfactory, and that the occupant level of satisfaction was positively related to the acoustic performance of the buildings. Despite the foregoing results, studies dealing with application and occupant satisfaction of bioclimatic design and construction strategies in modern residential buildings in South-eastern Nigeria are grossly inadequate.…”