THE ROLE OF RESIDENT PERCEPTION IN MAINSTREAMING GREEN FACADES IN NIGERIAN HIGH-RISE ARCHITECTURE

Abstract

Nigerian cities are witnessing rapid growth in high-rise residential development; however, the integration of sustainable features such as green facades remains uncommon. Although the environmental and thermal benefits of green facades are well established, their adoption in developing contexts like Nigeria continues to lag. This is largely due to high implementation costs, limited public awareness, and minimal engagement from end-users. This study investigates how resident perception influences the acceptance and integration of green facade systems in Nigerian high-rise buildings. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted among 296 high-rise residents in Lagos. Using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, correlation, and regression analysis, the study assessed participants’ awareness, perceived benefits, concerns, and willingness to invest in green facades. The results showed that while 68% of respondents were familiar with the concept of green facades, only a small fraction demonstrated deep understanding. Perceived benefits had a significant positive influence on willingness to invest, while concerns about implementation had no meaningful effect. Interestingly, residents with longer durations of occupancy showed less willingness to adopt sustainable features, suggesting increasing scepticism over time. The study concludes that resident perception is central to the mainstreaming of green facades. Public awareness campaigns, user-inclusive design processes, and locally tailored incentives are recommended to align sustainable goals with user acceptance in Nigerian high-rise housing.