USER SATISFACTION OF THE THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF STABILIZED EARTH WALLING MATERIALS IN RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE IN BWARI, ABUJA, NIGERIA

The dominance of cement-sandcrete walling systems in contemporary Nigerian residential construction has produced buildings with high embodied carbon and inadequate passive thermal regulation in hot-humid climates. This study investigates the thermal performance perceptions and community acceptance of improved earth-based walling materials specifically stabilized earth blocks (SEBs), compressed earth blocks (CEBs) and laterite blocks among residents of Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. A mixed-methods survey of 127 valid respondents was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Likert-scale mean scores and thematic coding. Results indicate high awareness (80.3 %) and strong willingness to reside in earth-walled housing (mean = 4.35/5). Respondents rated the comparative thermal performance of earth/laterite walls versus cement blocks as satisfactory or very satisfactory (80.3 %), while 83.5 % reported frequent reliance on mechanical cooling in their current cement-block dwellings. Preference for stabilized earth or hybrid earth-modern systems reached 80.3 %. Social stigma remains the principal barrier. The findings provide empirical validation for the reintegration of improved earth materials as primary walling systems in climate-responsive housing and inform design strategies that combine high thermal mass, passive cooling features and contemporary aesthetic finishes. Policy implications for local material promotion and artisan capacity building are discussed.