The thesis establishes guidelines for the development of a prototype secondary school in Lagos State, as well as in other parts of Nigeria with similar hot humid climate. The practicability of these guidelines was evaluated by applying it to a hypothetical design project. The study presents a general background of existing conditions in the country--social, educational system, physical and architecture, before defining the context within which the design guidelines must be evolved. With a careful examination of these aspects, a set of design guidelines have been developed. The proposed solution (guidelines) attempts to improve the environmental comfort in schools through the use of passive techniques. Experimental tests on the passive approach was limited to natural ventilation, daylighting and shading control. The design development and guidelines established in this thesis are not definitive but a representation of a preliminary architectural study which may need further investigations. / M. Arch.