APPRECIATION OF INTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS SPECIFICATION OF RETROFITTED RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AMONG ARCHITECTURE GRADUATES IN NIGERIA

Yawate Vahyala Elisha¹, Vawa Joshua Yamte² , Paul MagajiManga³

ABSTRACT

The impact of architectural education and the need for specialized knowledge in building materials and specification in Nigeria are being discussed. The specification process and the reliability of materials are critical aspects of training in architectural studies. Poor interior finishing can have severe implications for the users’ health. This study seeks to investigate how architecture graduates appreciate architectural elements in low-cost living room of retrofitted residential buildings, which is essential for successful renovation projects and sustainable development. Data were collected on most preferred floor, wall, and ceiling finishes in six Nigerian States using a structured questionnaire administered to a stratified randomly sampled population of non-educators and educators in architecture. The data was analyzed using SPSS, descriptive and chi-square analysis. The study found that ceramic tiles, stucco, and plaster of paris (POP) are the most preferred flooring, walling, and ceiling materials respectively. Respondents considered durability, ease of cleaning, good appearance, fire resistance cost, lighting enhancement, as important factors. The references were consistent across different experience levels and between educators and non-educators. The study recommends emphasizing the importance of specifying the right interior architectural elements in low-cost living room of retrofitted residential buildings and aligning training with the available possibilities in the industry.

Keywords: Appreciation, Architecture Education, Architecture Graduates, Interior Architectural Elements, Retrofitted Building.