The focus of this master’s thesis was on design approaches that would lessen the need for artificial means of boosting passive cooling. Accordingly, this study made the recommendation that shopping mall design incorporate passive cooling strategies through appropriate building orientation, adequate planting and installation of green landscape elements, efficient use and proper positioning of shading devices, and careful selection of building materials that allow for adequate thermal insulation.
Shopping malls are now far more complex in terms of both space and interior operations, dispelling the notion that they exist solely for retail sales. The mall serves as a significant urban development hub and provides customers with shopping, entertainment, leisure, and recreation. Shopping malls have evolved to a closed building envelope as a result of this scale increase, necessitating the deployment of additional machinery to handle the mall’s interior heat. Numerous malls in Nigeria only employ mechanical cooling systems, which raises their operational costs in terms of purchase, installation, and maintenance. Therefore, the goal of this project was to create a shopping center that used passive cooling techniques in its architecture.
The objectives assessed the characteristic of shopping mall design, the cooling strategies used in shopping malls and the architectural design considerations for cooling. Thirteen case studies were selected using the random sampling techniques. Utilizing an observation checklist and the variable for each objective, data from the chosen case studies were collected. The statistical tool SPSS was used to evaluate the data that was gathered. To ascertain the percentages of various variables for the characteristics of shopping mall architecture and the cooling strategies utilized in the chosen samples, a descriptive survey method of analysis was used with an observation schedule.
Findings revealed the frequency of the variables used throughout the study, and it was concluded from the chosen case studies that shopping malls in Nigeria rely more on active cooling systems than passive cooling strategies, with mechanical cooling being used in 76.9% of the malls examined and mechanical and passive cooling being used in 23.1% of the malls. Additionally, the results showed that 7.7% of the areas featured lakes, pools, and fountains, respectively. However, 76.9% of the malls lacked evaporative cooling systems.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of Problem
1.3 Aim of Study
1.4 Objectives of the Study
1.5 Research questions
1.6 Scope and Limitations
1.7 Justification of Study
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Concept of Shopping
2.1.1 Development of marketplaces
2.1.2 Evolution of markets and shops
2.2 Historical Development of Shopping Centres
2.2.1 The emergence of shopping centres in the United States
2.2.1 The emergence of Shopping Centres in Europe
2.2.2 Evolution of shopping malls in China
2.2.3 Evolution of shopping Malls in Egypt
2.2.4 Evolution of Shopping Malls in Nigeria
2.3 Classification of Shopping Malls
2.3.1 United States of America shopping center Classification
2.3.2 Europe shopping center classification
2.4 Shopping malls tenant mix
2.4.1 International Council of Shopping Center Tenant Mix
2.4.2 Shopping Center Tenant Mix according to all about architecture
2.4.3 Shopping Center Tenant Mix according to Rohan Agarwal
2.5 Architectural design consideration for shopping mall
2.5.1 Site design
2.5.2 Building design
2.5.3 Transportation and parking
2.5.4 Shopping mall design layout
2.6 Circulation patterns in shopping malls
2.6.1 Horizontal circulation
2.6.2 Vertical circulation
2.7 Cooling strategies in shopping malls
2.7.1 Fans as the cooling device
2.7.2 Air conditioning systems
2.8 Passive design strategies
2.8.1 Passive heating
2.8.2 Passive ventilation
2.8.3 Passive cooling
2.9 Architectural Design Considerations Used for Passive Cooling in Shopping Malls
2.9.1 Building orientation
2.9.2 Stacked windows
2.9.3 Shading devices
2.9.4 Evaporative cooling
2.9.6 Openings in the building
2.9.7 Building materials
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research method
3.3 Data Type and Sources
3.3.1 primary data
3.3.2 secondary data
3.4 Population of Study
3.5 Sampling Method and Technique
3.6 Data collection
3.6.1 Data Collection Instruments.
3.6.2 Method of Data Analysis
3.6.3 Data presentation.
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
4.1 Examination of Shopping Malls Design Characteristics
4.1.1 Number of anchor stores
4.1.2 Number of restaurants
4.1.3 Number of Department Stores
4.1.4 Parking space capacity
4.1.5 Number of entrances
4.1.6 Cinema screens in shopping malls
4.1.7 Multipurpose hall in shopping malls
4.1.8 Grocery stores
4.1.9 Games arcade
4.1.10 Mechanical vertical circulation
4.2 Assessment of Cooling Strategies in Shopping Malls
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Recommendation
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this research is to design a shopping mall in Abuja, Nigeria, that effectively integrates passive cooling strategies to improve indoor thermal comfort, reduce reliance on power-intensive mechanical air conditioning systems, and minimize operational costs.
- Examination of shopping mall architectural design characteristics and spatial layouts.
- Assessment of existing cooling strategies and ventilation methods in Nigerian shopping malls.
- Evaluation of architectural design considerations, such as building orientation, shading, and material selection, for passive cooling.
- Development of a sustainable shopping mall model that applies passive cooling techniques within the local climatic context.
Excerpt from the Book
1.2 Statement of Problem
Kubwa is a residential neighbourhood in Bwari, one of Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory's area councils. It is said to be the largest satellite town in West Africa, having the highest population within Abuja. With the above characteristics, it is surprising that there is no specialized form of a shopping mall within the district. Instead, shopping plazas are what they have access to. Knowing fully well that shopping malls perform more functions than shopping, most people living in kubwa have to go to the central area where most of the shopping malls are located at Abuja for recreation, relaxation, and other purposes.
Second, in most nations, buildings account for at least 40% of total energy consumption. Especially in countries like Nigeria where the nature of electricity supply is inconsistent, most shopping malls, therefore, need to spend more to enhance thermal comfort through the use of mechanical cooling devices. As the standard of living is on the rise, people tend to achieve thermal comfort within their interior spaces using air conditioning systems. Buildings like shopping malls are not equally left out in these new trends, as the amount of energy required to run most types of equipment is excessively high. Knowing fully well that the global trend tends towards sustainability and attention to the environment, developing countries like Nigeria have failed to rapidly adopt passive cooling strategies in most of their shopping malls.
Building energy usage has emerged as a key problem in the worldwide conversation about sustainable development (Mu'azu, 2012). Therefore, the problem with shopping malls generally is the fact that the cooling strategies can become very expensive and unsustainable.
Summary of Chapters
1.0 INTRODUCTION: This chapter provides the background for the research, defines the research problem regarding energy consumption in commercial buildings, and sets the specific objectives and research questions for the study.
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW: This section covers the historical development of shopping centers worldwide and in Nigeria, alongside an exploration of various cooling strategies and architectural design considerations relevant to shopping mall sustainability.
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: This chapter details the descriptive research design, primary and secondary data sources, sampling techniques, and analytical tools used to assess shopping malls and cooling strategies.
4.0 DISCUSSION OF RESULTS: This chapter presents the data gathered from thirteen shopping mall case studies, analyzing design characteristics and the effectiveness of current cooling and ventilation methods.
5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The final chapter summarizes the research findings and proposes specific design recommendations to integrate passive cooling strategies into future shopping mall projects.
Keywords
Shopping Mall, Abuja, Passive Cooling, Active Cooling, Architectural Design, Energy Consumption, Thermal Comfort, Sustainability, Building Orientation, Shading Devices, Natural Ventilation, Indoor Environmental Quality, Tenant Mix, Mechanical Systems, Nigerian Architecture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores how to refine shopping mall design in Abuja, Nigeria, by incorporating passive cooling strategies to decrease dependence on traditional, energy-heavy air conditioning systems.
What are the primary themes analyzed in this study?
Key areas include the evolution of shopping malls, the characterization of mall design, existing cooling methods in Nigeria, and the impact of architectural features like site layout, orientation, and materials on thermal comfort.
What does the author aim to achieve with this thesis?
The primary goal is to design a sustainable shopping mall that utilizes passive cooling architectural techniques to optimize the indoor environment and provide a cleaner, more cost-effective cooling alternative.
Which research methodology was adopted here?
The study employs a descriptive research approach, utilizing visual surveys, case studies of thirteen existing shopping malls, and observation checklists to collect data, which is then analyzed using statistical tools like SPSS.
What topics are explored in the main body of the work?
The main body investigates shopping mall architectural features, circulation patterns, current active vs. passive cooling usage, and specific design interventions such as window placement, shading devices, and insulation material properties.
Which specific keywords define this architectural study?
Essential keywords for this study include Shopping Mall, Passive Cooling, Energy Consumption, Thermal Comfort, Sustainability, Building Orientation, and Shaded Building Envelopes.
What is the specific finding regarding cooling systems in Nigerian malls?
The research concludes that the vast majority (76.9%) of examined malls rely exclusively on active mechanical cooling, with very few incorporating combined passive and active strategies.
How does the author propose improving architectural performance?
The author recommends better building orientation, improved insulation via materials like expanded polystyrene, cross-ventilation through stacked windows, and the inclusion of green landscape elements to mitigate heat gain.
- Quote paper
- Evelyn Akande (Author), 2022, Proposed Shopping Mall Design in Abuja Nigeria. Application of Cooling Strategies, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1306073
