ABSTRACT
The existing designs of dairy farms have inadequately capture aspects of wholesome waste management in spatial design of process and elements of farmstead facilities designs. The effect of which may lead to cattle health and productivity impairment, negative environmental impact and impaired farm functionality. However, this research aim to assess existing design measures and considerations with regards to their effectiveness in addressing waste management issues on dairy farms in northern Nigeria with the view to develop a design framework for enhancing sustainable waste management in dairy farms designs. As literature reveals that neither agricultural engineers nor veterinarians are equipped enough with sufficient requisite in design understanding to produce a dairy farm design that achieves nexus between infrastructural requirement of cattle breeding, cattle health and welfare with sustainable development ideals: design remains an architects' forte. Using qualitative research design and case study strategy, Nagari Integrated Dairies Ltd, Keffi; Niyya Farms Kaduna, and Lamda Farms, Kadunawere selected through purposive sampling to serve as case studies. Data gathered from the cases covered site planning considerations for waste management, facilities design considerations and design measures and considerations for waste handling as independent variables using observation as gathering technique. Data were assessed using a qualitative scale factor of good, fair and poor. Analytic induction of template analysis was used to analyse assessed data according to the design considerations implemented through variables and strategies which is portrayed using narrative analysis. Looking at the specific strategies, the result showed the need for waste treatment facility, considerations for integrated drainages/rainwater management at design stage, enhanced accessibility around and within farm facilities as the v most crucial design needs. The need for a spatial design of farm from the site layout to the spatial design of unit facilities and the use of enveloping design elements on facilities were established. Finally, the crucial need for zoning facilities based on similar waste generation and the use of vegetation around farm premises were also established. This could guide architects designing dairy farms achieve an effective process through design for wholesome waste management on dairy farms using the design framework developed by the research.