The air tightness of buildings has the greatest potential for energy savings. Reduced fresh air intake raises concerns about natural ventilation systems and the need to provide users with a comfortable indoor climate. The pace at which heat is expelled from a building's interior surfaces increases with vent size, putting residents' health at risk and causing discomfort. The study aimed to evaluate critical factors that contribute to poor natural ventilation in residential buildings, and its associated effects. A quantitative research approach was adopted using purposive sampling for data collection due to undefined residential buildings. 215 questionnaires were distributed to occupants of residential buildings within six (6) selected communities within the Atwima Nwabiagya Municipality. 210 completed questionnaires were collected and analyzed using mean and relative importance index (RII) score ranking. From the findings, nineteen (19) identified variables categorized into three (3) main factors contribute to poor natural ventilation of residential buildings. The most critical factor is unplanned building design and usage with an average RII of (0.955). Most privately owned residential buildings were built with no professional consultation aiming to avoiding professional cost. Eleven (11) variables grouped under four (4) main effects were identified as effects associated with poor natural ventilation, the top-ranked ranked effects were Health risk with an average RII of 0.930. Good natural ventilation is a determinant factor for sustaining occupants’ satisfaction and wellbeing. Therefore, it was recommended that purpose of room space should be well defined before its design and construction. Public education on the need to engage experienced professionals in design and construction should be intensified. The paper affirms to the relevance of natural ventilation for occupants in residential buildings; also, usefulness to engage construction professionals and clients.

Ghanaian society and the world at large have shown a strong interest in the use of lampshades with evidence from hotels and residential dwellings. Table-top Lampshades direct the rays of light to make sight easier for reading whereas bedside lampshades provide romantic illumination and beautification in bedrooms. This art studio research sought to examine lampshades on Ghanaian market; their qualities, significance, shortcomings, etc. as the basis to design and produce inventive lampshades for private and public use. The study was conducted at an art studio condition using Practice-based research design method. Findings show that lampshades serve functional and aesthetic significance in public dwellings and the hospitality industry. Nonetheless, available lampshades on the Ghanaian market lack the multifunctional property as well as a local touch which arguably makes them misfit in Ghanaian context in terms of usage. The innovative results of the studio-produced lampshades revealed the possibility of creating symbolic and multifunctional lampshades which suit specific space and tradition. The study recommends the adoption of such innovative design approach in the creation of interior design and decoration artefacts for residential and public edifices.