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Ihab Elzeyadi, Ph.D., University of Oregon |
The current bio-physical theories of indoor comfort and satisfaction with indoor environmental quality (IEQ), such as thermal and visual comfort adopt an environmentally deterministic perspective that only stresses the importance of the physical environment in the design of an indoor space. This perspective defines indoor environmental quality in terms of separate components, such as visual and thermal comfort that are independent and separate in their effects on the occupant's overall perception of spatial experience. Accordingly, the design of high performance buildings rely on this perspective to engage various consultants in an integrated design practice that aims to achieve a quality environment for the occupants and the planet. By adopting this limited perspective while relying on tools and metric that predict user experiences with limited accuracy, we are stretching the gap between performance prediction and actual performance of buildings. In real settings, especially those designed with green and sustainable objectives, the occupant reacts to the overall ambiance of the environment resulting from the direct as well as the interactional effect of these components in a systemic perspective that is rarely discussed or conceived in the building design process. This paper proposes a systemic approach to conceptualize IEQ in the design as well as the post-occupancy phases of a project. By applying a holistic understanding, the resulting ambience of green buildings is perceived in terms of five sub-systems; thermal, visual, indoor air quality, acoustical, and spatial comfort. To validate this model, 10 different spatial configurations and IEQ design strategies were assessed and measured for a recently completed high-performance building. Evaluations included a comparative analysis of various deign processes , design and simulation tools used, as well as 24 months of post-occupancy field assessments to test successes and failures of the design process Spatial analysis and visualization of IEQ assessments relating the qualitative phenomenological and quantitative performative impacts of the studied spaces on both the place and the people is presented. Its implications on the future design and research of indoor environmental quality and ambience of sustainable buildings is discussed. The hope is to provide a decision support process and lessons for building practitioners, occupants, building owners that would help them prioritize and evaluate green design and IEQ strategies in a comprehensive way, combining this perspective would ensure that we built spaces that are both energy and people conscious.
See more of: IAQ Monitoring and Field Measurements Results