Green architectural strategies: adoption levels and factors of adoption among architects in Lagos, Nigeria

Purpose – This study examines the level of adoption of green architectural strategies and identifies the factors influencing their adoption among registered architects practicing in Lagos State, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative survey design was adopted. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 306 registered architects in Lagos State; 228 completed questionnaires were returned and analyzed, representing a response rate of 74.5%. Descriptive statistics were used to assess adoption levels, while Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with Varimax rotation was used to identify the underlying dimensions of factors influencing adoption. Findings – Passive design strategies had the highest adoption rates when the high and very high adoption categories were combined, particularly natural ventilation (89.0%), integration of green outdoor spaces (89.0%), and natural daylighting (88.5%). Water conservation and renewable energy strategies were adopted to a substantially lesser extent. PCA extracted three principal components explaining 69.15% of the total variance: Economic and Implementation Constraints, Institutional and Operational Support, and Perceived Benefits and Social Influence. The findings indicate that adoption is constrained particularly by economic barriers, weak policy enforcement, and limited availability of sustainable materials. Originality/value – The study provides empirical evidence on the strategy-specific adoption of green architectural practices among registered architects in Lagos State and identifies the underlying dimensions influencing adoption through PCA. By combining evidence on actual reported adoption levels with the factors shaping implementation, the study provides context-specific insights for professional bodies, policymakers, educators, and built-environment stakeholders seeking to strengthen green architectural practice in Nigeria.