Improving Indoor Air Quality in Condominiums Through Green Architecture

Abstract

Clean air is an essential human need. It is therefore not surprising that the WHO global health observatory estimated that in 2012, seven million deaths were caused by air pollution; with ambient air pollution contributing to 3.7 million deaths while household air pollution was responsible for 4.3 million deaths, and 7.7% of the global mortality. Africa is not left out in this epidemy. A review of literature on indoor air pollution and its contributory factors reveals that majority of the indoor pollutants come from construction material residues, indoor furnishings and finishing as well as lifestyle of the occupants of the buildings. The study carried out case studies on selected condominiums in Lagos to identify specific contributory factors to indoor air pollution and its effect on the building occupants. The research concludes by recommending that indoor air quality could be improved by introducing ‘green’ practices such as building with renewable construction materials, passive design, natural ventilation as well as healthy indoor plants to purify indoor air.