Abstract

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The study analysed indigenous fabric prints for livable urban home design. Specifically, it assessed the performances of indigenous fabric prints, analysed the psychosocial value of these prints, and investigated the socio-technical values of the fabric. The study was conducted in the southwest states of Nigeria and four states (Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, and Ogun) were randomly selected from the region. Ten percent of Local Government areas in each selected state, and three urban communities in each sampled Local Government Area were purposely selected. A snowball sampling procedure was employed to select 1,147 indigenous fabric print consumers for the study. Structured and pre-tested interview schedule, questionnaire, key informants and focus group discussions guides were employed in collecting data. While descriptive statistics were used to describe the data, correlation analysis was applied to establish the direction of the relationship between livable home design and the variables of indigenous fabric prints. The study established that, aesthetic values of indigenous fabric prints changed with use in home design, but the comfort and safety capacity of the fabric in terms of absorbency and temperature, among others, do not change. Indigenous fabric prints were affordable but needed high- maintenance ethics relative to foreign fabrics. Correlation analysis confirmed a significant relationship between livable urban home design and indigenous fabric prints, selected variables such as: Psychosocial characteristics [comfortability value (r=0.613); performance value [hygroscopic ability (r=0.644)]; and socio- technical variables [compatibility (r=0.621), visibility (r=0.682), and communication capacity(r=0.694)]. Major identified limitations in the functionality of indigenous fabric prints for urban livable home design were rooted in the fabric’s low resistance to wrinkles; ease of odour generation and short aesthetics lifecycle of diminished surface-appearance via rapid desizing, and weakened under sun and heat. It is therefore suggested that research work should be intensified towards preserving the aesthetic values of indigenous fabric prints for use. Besides, indigenous fabric prints producers need training on special fabric finishing’s mostly wrinkles and desizing resistance, colourfastness, and bacteriostatics. Consumers need training on techniques for handling indigenous fabric health care. This could be achieved in workshops, seminars, and by creating awareness through mass media by extension agencies and other related textile organisations.

Keywords: Indigenous, fabric prints, livable, urban, home design.