THERMAL COMFORT ASSESSMENT OF BAMBOO-FINISHED HOTEL INTERIOR SPACES IN LAGOS

This study examines the thermal comfort levels of interior spaces in bamboo-finished hotels using thermal modeling and environmental monitoring, using Bogobiri House, a boutique hotel in Lagos, Nigeria, as the case study. In tropical urban areas, where providing indoor comfort without consuming excessive energy is increasingly challenging, sustainable materials like bamboo are gaining popularity due to their thermophysical properties and aesthetic appeal. Bamboo's low thermal conductivity and organic texture make it a potential interior finish for buildings seeking to reduce their reliance on mechanical cooling systems. However, nothing is currently known about how bamboo performs in real-time temperature settings in hospitality environments. The study used computer simulation and on-site environmental monitoring to assess how bamboo finishes affected the temperature within buildings. Over seven days, calibrated thermohygrometers were placed in strategic bamboo-lined areas of the hotel to measure temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity. These measurements were examined in conjunction with ASHRAE Standard 55 (2020)-based comfort criteria. In comparison to areas without bamboo finishes, the field measurements revealed that spaces with bamboo finishes maintained somewhat lower indoor temperatures and higher thermal stability throughout the monitoring period. The temperature inside was between 27.4°C and 30.1°C, and the relative humidity was within tolerable bounds. These conclusions were validated by simulation results, which showed that bamboo surfaces improve thermal comfort efficacy by reducing heat absorption and delaying heat transfer. According to this study, bamboo interior treatments may help hotels in hot, humid locations function better thermally. The results show bamboo's potential as a sustainable material and a passive method for improving thermal comfort by depending simply on objective physical data and verified simulation techniques. The findings provide valuable insights for architects, interior designers, and building engineers interested in low-impact design techniques for hospitality settings in tropical countries.