Evaluation of the Impact of Natural Lighting and Ventilation on User Comfort in Lagos Office Buildings

This study evaluates the impact of natural lighting and ventilation on user comfort in Lagos office buildings, with a focus on their role in enhancing indoor environmental quality and occupant satisfaction. Adopting a systematic review approach, recent studies published within the last five years were analyzed to synthesize findings on natural lighting, ventilation strategies, and user comfort. The findings reveal that while natural lighting significantly improves visual comfort and reduces reliance on artificial energy, poor design practices, including inadequate shading and building orientation, can lead to discomfort such as glare. Similarly, natural ventilation positively affects thermal comfort and air quality, but its efficiency is often limited by climatic extremes, requiring hybrid systems for optimal results. Passive design strategies, including daylight optimization, cross-ventilation, and operable windows, emerged as effective solutions for improving user comfort and reducing energy consumption. This research underscores the importance of integrating passive and adaptive design strategies to address the climatic and urban challenges of Lagos. The study concludes with practical recommendations for architects, policymakers, and developers to prioritize user-centered and environmentally sustainable office designs, fostering productivity, energy efficiency, and occupant well-being.