Michael Adaji

About

Michael U. Adaji is a Lecturer in Built Environment at Coventry University (The PeoplesFuture Ltd), also serving as a Link Tutor and Flying Faculty for Construction Management in VTC-SHAPE Hong Kong. He is an experienced educator and researcher, adept at creating and delivering engaging curriculum and guiding discussions with innovative instructional techniques.

Qualifications:

Michael holds a Ph.D. in Architecture from the University of Kent, where his thesis focused on "Thermal Comfort in A Hot-Humid Climate Through Passive Cooling in Low-Income Residential Buildings in Abuja, Nigeria". He also has an M.Sc. in Architecture from the University of Jos, with a thesis on "Federal Eye Centre, Lokoja, Kogi State: Propagating Effective Daylighting in Public Buildings", and a B.Tech. in Architecture from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University.

In addition to his degrees, Michael has a Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Professional Practice (PGCAPP) Level 7 from Coventry University, with a specialisation in Education and Learning. He also holds a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PgCE) Level 6 from The Open University and completed a BIM Professional Course for Architects and Civil Engineers from Novatr & AutoDesk, specialising in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC).

Key Projects/Teaching Areas:

As a Lecturer in Built Environment, Michael is a Module Leader for several courses, including 4047EXQ - Building Project 1, 4043EXQ - Domestic Construction Technology, 5044EXQ - Commercial Construction Technology, 5052EXQ-Construction Project Management 1, and 6048EXQ-Sustainability and Innovation in Construction. He also delivers and supervises modules such as Construction Materials, Spatial Design and Visual Communication, Environmental Science, Group Project, Technical Project (Research), Strategic Management for Construction & Engineering, and undergraduate/postgraduate research dissertations. His teaching contributions extend across various Built Environment courses, including Architecture, Architectural Technology, Building Surveying, Construction Project and Cost Management, Construction Management, and BIM, at HE levels 4-7. He is involved in the design, creation, moderation, and quality assurance of module assessments.

Interests:

Michael is an intellectually curious academic, continually seeking new information and driving research forward. He effectively balances classroom, laboratory, research, and practice time to help students develop into knowledgeable, confident professionals. His research interests are primarily focused on Sustainable Architecture, Architectural Technology, Building and Environmental Design and Construction, Built Environment, Thermal Comfort, Passive Cooling Strategies, Dynamic Building Simulation and Modelling, Environmental Monitoring, Post-occupancy Evaluation, Thermal Comfort Survey, and Building Performance Analysis.

Career overview

Before joining Coventry University in 2023, Michael gained extensive experience in teaching and academic leadership roles within the Built Environment sector:

• Lecturer of Construction in Architectural Technology; Sustainable Construction & Design at Newham Sixth Form College, London, UK (2021 – 2023). Here, he taught Pearson T Level Technical Qualification in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction, and Level 3 Extended Diploma in Construction & the Built Environment (BTEC RQF). He was also involved in the curriculum development for T-Level Construction.
• Lecturer/Course Leader: Construction & the Built Environment at South Essex College of Further and Higher Education, UK (2018 – 2021). He served as Course Leader for Level 3, BTEC Nationals in Construction & the Built Environment. He taught a range of Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals (HNC) Level 4 Units, Level 3 National Extended Diploma, Level 3 National Foundation Diploma, and EAL Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Technologies (Craft). He contributed to curriculum development for BTEC CBE.
• Lecturer: Architectural Design Technology at The University of East London, UK (2018 – 2020). His roles included Lead Instructor for the Architectural Design Investigation module and Tutor for various undergraduate modules, including Design Investigation 1, Mental Wealth: Professional Life 1, Architectural Design Resolution, and Technical Studies, Computing & Representation 1. He also served as an AutoCAD and SketchUp Tutor/Instructor.
• Assistant Lecturer/Seminar Leader: Technology and Environment; Architecture and Technology at The University of Kent, Canterbury, UK (2015 – 2018). He tutored Postgraduate Master’s students and BA students on modules such as Principles of Environmental Design and Building Envelope, and coordinated sessions on natural ventilation, daylighting, sunlight, and passive heating/cooling strategies. He also contributed to curriculum development for the Technology and Environment aspect of Design Studio RIBA Stage 1.

Research

Michael is a multi-published researcher with a history of running successful studies with students. His primary research areas include Sustainable Architecture, Architectural Technology, Building and Environmental Design and Construction, Built Environment, Thermal Comfort, Passive Cooling and heating Strategies, Dynamic Building Simulation and Modelling, Environmental Monitoring, Post-occupancy Evaluation, Thermal Comfort Survey, Building Performance Analysis, Project Management and Health and Safety. His doctoral thesis focused specifically on "Thermal Comfort in A Hot-Humid Climate Through Passive Cooling in Low-Income Residential Buildings in Abuja, Nigeria".

External activities

Michael is a dedicated professional with several key memberships and active professional service roles:

Membership of Professional Institutions:

• MCIOB (Full Member) of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
• ACIAT (Associate Member) of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), with full membership (MCIAT) in view.
• FHEA in progress (via PGCAPP)

Professional Service: Michael serves as a reviewer for several reputable journals and conferences:

• Journal of Building and Environment.
• Journal of Sustainable Cities and Society.
• Journal of Technology, Architecture and Design.
• Journal of Building Engineering.
• International Conference on Sustainable Design, Engineering, Management and Sciences (ICSDEMS).

Publications and press

Michael has a robust publication record, including peer-reviewed papers and a book chapter, primarily focusing on thermal comfort and passive cooling in residential buildings, particularly in hot-humid climates. His publications can also be accessed via his ResearchGate profile. A portfolio of his practice, teaching, and scholarly work is available online.

Peer Review Publications:

• Adaji, M.U., Adekunle, T.O. (2025). "Enhancing healthy indoor thermal environment of low-income households in a hot-humid climate through passive cooling interventions – A case of Abuja, Nigeria." In Healthy Buildings Europe 2025 (HB2025) Proceedings of an ISIAQ International Conference, Reykjavik University, Iceland. 8-11 June, pp. 174 – 180. ISBN #978-9935-539-76-2.
• Adaji, M.U., Adekunle, T.O. (2022). "Thermal indices and comfort in low- and middle-income residences during dry seasons: A case study of Dutse Alhaji and Lugbe in Abuja, Nigeria." In the 3rd Conference on Comfort at the Extremes Resilient Comfort: Designing to Survive (CATE 2022), Edinburgh, UK, 5th – 6th September 2022.
• Adaji, M.U., Adekunle, T.O. & Watkins, R. (2020). "Overheating and passive cooling interventions on low-income residential houses in Abuja, Nigeria." In Proceedings of the 11th Windsor Conference, Cumberland Lodge, Windsor, UK, 16th –19th April 2020.
• Adaji, M.U., Adekunle, T.O., Watkins, R., & Adler, G. (2019). "Indoor comfort and adaptation in low-income and middle-income residential buildings in a Nigerian city during a dry season." Building and Environment, 162(106276). Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.106276.
• Adaji, M.U. (2017). "Occupants' adaptation in low-income naturally ventilated buildings: a case study of Abuja, Nigeria." In Proceedings of the 12th Conference on Advanced Building Skins, Bern, Switzerland, 2nd – 3rd October 2017.
• Adaji, M.U., Watkins, R., & Adler, G. (2017). "Indoor Thermal Comfort for Residential Buildings in the Hot-Humid Climate of Nigeria during the dry season." In the Proceedings of the 33rd Passive Low Energy Architecture (PLEA) International Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland, 3rd – 5th July 2017.

Published Book Chapter:

• Adaji, M.U., Adekunle, T.O. & Watkins, R. (2022). "Overheating and passive cooling interventions on low-income residential houses in Abuja, Nigeria." Book Chapter: Routledge Handbook of Resilient Thermal Comfort. Editors: Fergus Nicol, Hom B. Rijal and Susan Roaf. Publication date: April 2022. Available at https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003244929 (chapter 10) or Overheating and passive cooling strategies in low-income residential buildings (taylorfrancis.com)