EFFECT OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS AND LAYOUT ON TENANTS’ CHOICE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES IN UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the effect of architectural design and layout on tenants’ choice of residential properties in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The study's objectives were to evaluated the design and layout factors, and examine the relationship between the design and layout factors and tenants’ choice of residential properties. The study adopted survey research design which structed questionnaire were used to collect data from tenants of residential properties. We randomly selected 200 tenant-occupied residential properties. Both descriptive and inferential statistical approaches were used to evaluate the acquired data. Findings revealed that window height and door height had significant relationship with tenants’ choice of residential properties as they had significance values of 0.29 and 0.000 respectively. Based on the findings above, we concluded that door height and window height have significant influence on tenants’ choice of residential properties. Implication of this is that in this harsh economic situation which some tenants may not be able to buy much fuel, adequate natural ventilation and lighting through windows and doors are required to save some cost. In order to ensure that residential properties which are developed remain a prime choice of tenants and command highest returns, we recommend that at the design stage, adequate consideration is given to the design of the doors and windows.