(Network for Comfort and Energy Use in Buildings, 2011-09-23) Ndibwami, Alex
This paper investigates the extent to which notions of gender and community are expressed and promoted through materiality, spatial quality and passive design as a way to promote comfort and efficient energy use. Generally, comfort and efficient energy use may be achieved as a result of: (i) familiarity and ownership; (ii) beauty, security, safety, privacy, autonomy and interactive spaces, and; (iii) appropriate lighting, ventilation and indoor-outdoor links. Contrary to the biased/myopic sentiments that it is about women–their domestic, political, spiritual and societal role, gender is used as a springboard to promote a more community oriented agenda and consequently how the built environment ought to be shaped in that regard.
