This paper presents the result of an investigation on verandas to achieve
thermal comfort in residential houses. In this study the veranda is singled out as
a significant building element to attain environmental comfort, a field study in
three outlaying areas of the city of Akure was carried out. The results show that
the front veranda and the back or side porch is still an important for domestic
outdoor activities and receiving of fresh breeze. The population recognizes the
veranda’s importance as a shading element and residential buildings in Akure
has always incorporated this knowledge in to the design of their houses.
The use of Verandas to achieve Indoor thermal comfort in a residential building
is essential for occupants’ well-being and productivity, thus providing for indoor
thermal comfort and reducing energy use in buildings which is becoming
increasingly difficult.
Human body response intelligently to different climate conditions by
acclimatization and adaptation. The different thermal comfort behavior of human
need for people in different climate condition and also for different season clearly
shows that the design strategy for building must comply with the locality of the
building.
Intelligent system may be used for the purpose of compliance to thermal
comfort. This paper describes typical strategies to naturally improve comfort in a
climate which is hot and humid without air conditioning.
Hot and humid city like Akure in Ondo State may requires air conditioning for
residential buildings, the dependence for thermal comfort may be minimized or
relatively reduced when good design is adopted.