Abstract

The layout of residential buildings exhibits a community’s cultural values, beliefs, and customs.
Architecture and cultural beliefs have long been known to be closely related. However, a knowledge
gap exists on how culture and spatial organisation interact in domestic buildings. The paper examines
how culture has influenced the layout of residential buildings in Yelwa, Bauchi State. The study will
concentrate on the comparative study of selected residences in the area, looking at how cultural
practices and beliefs have an impact on the architecture and layout of these structures. To find socio
spatial designs within the cultures of the study area, it was intended to investigate the socio-cultural effects
of privacy on spatial hierarchy and organisation. The study uses qualitative and quantitative research
methodology that includes field observations, homeowner interviews, architectural plan analysis, surveys,
and activity mapping. The research shows how cultural elements, including social structure, way of life,
and religious beliefs, have an impact on how spaces are organized, how rooms are assigned, and how a
house is built overall. The study offers insights for architects, urban planners, and politicians involved in the
design and development of residential spaces in Bauchi and similar parts of Nigeria, as well as knowledge
of how culture impacts the built environment.