ASSESSMENT OF REGENERATIVE ARCHITECTURE PRINCIPLES AND USER WELL-BEING FOR THE DESIGN OF NATIONAL WELLNESS HOTEL IN JABI, ABUJA

Abstract

Architects, construction industry experts, and their clients are increasingly interested in regenerative design, which shows much promise for a new era of sustainable and positiveimpact architecture. Similarly, the wellness market is growing exponentially as customers prioritise their health and well-being and seek wellness experiences more frequently in the post-COVID-19 era. Integrating hospitality, healthcare, and regenerative design functions has become a well-acknowledged phenomenon in the built environment. Therefore, this research aims to implement regenerative architecture principles (RAPs) into the design of a wellness hotel in Abuja, Nigeria, to enhance users’ well-being. The following objectives will achieve this aim; examining the applicability of regenerative architecture principles to hotel designs; identifying the regenerative architecture principles in a wellness hotel; analysing the impact of regenerative architecture design principles on user well-being in wellness hotels, and implementing the research findings to develop an innovative wellness hotel that enhances user well-being. The research adopts a pragmatic philosophy and a mixed-methods approach, utilising a case study design that includes three wellness facilities—Nisa Wellness Retreat, Jvee Wellness and Spa, and Evenana Wellness. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and observation checklists, with analysis conducted using SPSS for quantitative data and thematic frameworks for qualitative data. Findings from the case study reveal that while there is an average implementation of certain regenerative architecture principles, such as passive design strategies, use of local materials, and renewable energy sources, other principles relating to water management and inclusive design are underutilised. The analysis from the interviews and questionnaires demonstrates a significantly strong relationship between user well-being and regenerative architecture in hospitality spaces. Key barriers to implementing RAPs include a lack of awareness and contextual suitability, resource and knowledge limitations, and material and design complexity. This research highlights the benefits of adopting RAPs to promote user well-being in wellness spaces. The findings provide policymakers, design professionals, and relevant stakeholders with a framework for implementing regenerative principles in future hotel developments in Nigeria and other similar contexts. However, this study is not without its limitations, as the scope of the study was limited to three small to medium-scale wellness facilities in Abuja. The limited availability of largescale wellness hotels in Nigeria constrained the selection of case studies. Additionally, the research focused solely on Abuja's wellness facilities, which may not fully reflect regenerative practices in Nigeria's other geographic and socio-economic regions. Future research should be carried out to investigate the adoption of RAPs across varying hospitality facilities in diverse climes and contexts within Nigeria and West Africa. Longitudinal studies are also highly recommended to measure the extended impact of regenerative principles on user well-being over time. Additionally, researchers could delve deeper into the lifecycle assessments of regenerative-focused policy frameworks in hospitality architecture.