Assessment of Occupants' Satisfaction Level with Aesthetic Qualities of Selected Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block Houses in Southwestern Nigeria

Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block (ISSB) technology is gaining ground in Nigeria as a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to conventional masonry, yet its aesthetic dimension has received little empirical scrutiny. This study assesses occupant satisfaction with the aesthetic qualities of selected ISSB residential buildings in Southwestern Nigeria, drawing on structured questionnaire data from 110 respondents across three estates in Ekiti, Ogun, and Lagos states. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses were applied using SPSS. Occupants expressed strong satisfaction with the environmental harmony, natural colour, and visual distinctiveness of ISSB buildings (mean scores of 4.05, 4.00, and 3.98 respectively), while surface finishing quality (2.87) and public perception (2.95) fell within the neutral range. The grand mean of 3.65 confirms general aesthetic satisfaction. Regression analysis identified environmental harmony as the strongest predictor of overall satisfaction (β = 0.298, p < 0.001), and surface finishing quality as a disproportionately influential weakness (β = 0.143, p < 0.05). Targeted improvements in finishing technique, architectural detailing, and public awareness are recommended to consolidate and extend ISSB's aesthetic appeal in the Nigerian housing market.

Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks (ISSBs), Occupant Satisfaction, Aesthetic Quality, Sustainable Housing, Earth Construction, Southwestern Nigeria

1. Adedeji, Y. M. D. (2012). Sustainable housing provision: Preference for the use of interlocking masonry in housing delivery in Nigeria. Architecture Research, 2(5), 81–86. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.arch.20120205.03 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Adejumobi, G. O., Olaoye, G. O., Chukwuka, O., & Manuwa, S. A. (2026). The role of interlocking stabilized soil blocks as a sustainable material in the design of Yoruba cultural museum in Ibadan. International Journal of Spectrum Research in Science & Engineering, 2(1), 140–151. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Bede, G. C., & Uwakonye, O. (2026). The role of ISSBS (interlocking stabilized soil blocks) towards enhancing user comfort of selected hospitality buildings in Lagos, Nigeria. International Journal of Spectrum Research in Environmental & Energy Studies, 2(2), 85–95. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Ibem, E. O., Opoko, A. P., Adeboye, A. B., & Amole, D. (2013). Performance evaluation of residential buildings in public housing estates in Ogun State, Nigeria: Users' satisfaction perspective. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 2(2), 178–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2013.02.001 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Ibitoye, O. A. (2025). A critical analysis of interlocking stabilized soil blocks (ISSB) in residential architecture: A case study of Obayemi House, Redemption Camp, Ogun State. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 6(3), 562–569. https://doi.org/10.54660/IJMRGE.2025.6.3.562-569 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Ibitoye, O. A., Abiola, O. A., & Babamboni, A. S. (2023). Demographic characteristics of housing estates developed with ISSB technology in selected Southwestern Nigerian (SWN) cities. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 7(2), 275–283. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2023-0702-2038 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Ibitoye, O. A., Alagbe, O., & Dare-Abel, O. (2022). Comparative cost advantages of interlocking stabilized soil block and sandcrete block for building construction in South-West Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development, 5(5). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Ibitoye, O. A., & Dare-Abel, O. (2022, October). Assessment of interlocking stabilized soil blocks (ISSBs) as panacea for sustainable housing projects in Nigeria. In Proceedings of the CUDIC 2022 Conference. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Jiboye, A. D. (2012). Post-occupancy evaluation of residential satisfaction in Lagos, Nigeria: Feedback for residential improvement. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 1(3), 236–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2012.08.001 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Nambatya, M. M. (2015). Investigating the rationale for material selection in tropical housing projects in Uganda: A case for interlocking stabilised soil blocks (ISSB) technology (Master's thesis, University of Cambridge). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Okunlola, A. T., & Ibitoye, O. A. (2026). A thematic review of interlocking stabilized soil blocks (ISSB) as a sustainable building material for mixed-use building design in Lagos. Journal of African Innovation & Advanced Studies, 11(2), 253–270. https://doi.org/10.70382/ajaias.v11i2.090 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Olaleye, A. A., & Ibitoye, O. A. (2023). Architects' response on utilisation of interlocking stabilised soil blocks as an alternative building material for housing projects in Southwest Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 6(5), 198–202. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2022-0605-1191 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. UN-Habitat. (2009). Interlocking stabilised soil blocks: Appropriate earth technologies in Uganda. United Nations Human Settlements Programme. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. UNHCR. (2023). Sustainable construction techniques: Use of interlocking stabilized soil blocks. Geneva Technical Hub. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Enhancing Formation Control of Multi Agent Systems Using Ann Based Technique
• Improving Sliding Mode Control with Chattering Reduction using Fuzzy Based Technique
• Cooking Quality, Fasting Blood Glucose, Glycemic Index and Load of High–Fiber Noodles Made from Wheat, Tiger Nut Residue and Cassava Flour Blends
• Matrix Rhythm Therapy Versus Interferential Therapy Combined with Lumbar Stabilization Exercises in Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Comparative Trial
• Formulation and Sensory Evaluation of Functional Cake Prepared from Sweet Potato Powder