ABSTRACT
The major source of energy used in existing shopping malls in Nigeria is generated via electricity, but due to epileptic power supply, high cost of energy and high carbon emission, there is a need to minimize energy demand in the facility. This research evaluated sustainable design strategies and their effects on energy efficiency in shopping malls in Nigeria. The research was based on case study approach and data was collected through visual survey, check-list ,computer simulation using Ecotect Analysis, 2011 and interview of Architects/ designers of shopping malls in the field of energy as well as analysis of the environmental climate data of the proposed site. The case study revealed that the shopping malls as at the time of their construction did not consider sustainable design strategies in terms of materials of the building envelope, wall and window shading as well as natural means of cooling and lighting while the computer simulation gave a significant reduction of 38% when sustainable building materials where used for the envelope instead of contemporary building materials. In order to apply and achieve a sustainable design, effort was put into understanding the local climate and integrating appropriate strategies such as appropriate orientation, landscaping, fenestration, shading devices and appropriate use of materials into the architecture. The key factors which are local climate, building envelope, lighting, and cooling systems affecting the energy efficiency of the building were analysed and the strategies to improve its sustainability were examined. Innovative building materials and technology such as clay bricks in concrete render, precast concrete panels and solar tube day lighting system effectively utilized on a model in managing the problem of lighting and cooling energy loads were carefully investigated and these were used to overcome the energy efficiency challenges in the study area.