Abstract

This research work focuses on the evaluation of occupants’ thermal stress during the chess event
at the Nigerian University Games (NUGA 2022), with particular emphasis on advancing passive design
strategies for indoor sports hall environments. As the push for sustainable building practices gains
momentum, this study delves into the application of passive design principles to enhance occupants’ thermal
comfort without heavy reliance on active cooling methods. The NUGA Games event serves as a pertinent
case study; a mixed method of research was used in investigating the extent of thermal stress experienced by
individuals within the indoor hall. By analyzing variables such as the thermal sensation votes (TSV) of the
occupants by means of questionnaires and interviews, then a qualitative comparison of the games were done
using Stockfish® chess engine to detect blunders and inaccuracies, these games quality yields were then
exported to analyze if heat stress experienced by the players has a direct relationship with
the games quality, Finally, the detailed energy performance
evaluation report of the hall was done, using Graphisoft EcoDesigner STAR®. These research instruments
highlighted that the heat load was greater when the passive cooling method was used in the hall. They go on
to support the idea that everyone’s experience with heat stress, had an impact on their ability to perform.
Inferences were drawn from these findings, tailoring passive design approaches for general indoor games
occurrences and thereby promoting the creation of sustainable and pleasant sporting arenas.