Space Adaptability Strategies and Building Performance in Selected Entertainment Centres in Nigeria

Studies have shown that there is a need to adapt buildings over their lifespan to environmental, economic and social changes. This will help enhance the decision-making process of building design and the development of a more sustainable built environment over a while. Anecdotal evidence suggests that entertainment centres in Nigeria often cease to meet their performance criteria over time as the entertainment needs of users change. The purpose of this study is to identify space adaptability strategies that influence the performance level of selected entertainment centres in Nigeria. Four entertainment centres were selected for this study. Respondents were users of the buildings. A total of 86 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved from the users of these selected entertainment centres. The data were analysed statistically using descriptive, predictive and inferential statistics. The sample size from each of the buildings was determined using census sampling with a total of 86 respondents collectively from the four selected entertainment centres. The findings from the study suggested that only 7 of the 37 identified adaptability strategies had a significant effect on the performance of these entertainment centres. These include space modularity, versatility of spaces, convertibility of spaces, reversible spaces, space scalability, space mobility and adjustability. The results of this study showed that while space modularity has a negative influence on the perception of security, social and cultural performance; versatility of spaces positively influenced that performance dimension. This study, therefore, concluded that, concerning entertainment centres, adaptability may not have influenced the performance in terms of functionality, equitable use, efficiency and psychological pleasure; however, security of such facilities may be enhanced by providing versatile spaces. The study recommended that architects should focus on versatility of spaces in the design of entertainment centres as it has been discovered to positively influence the security, social and cultural performance level of entertainment centres.