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Investigating the relationship between indoor environment and workplace productivity in naturally and mechanically ventilated office environments
This paper uses a case study-based approach to empirically investigate the relationship between indoor environment and workplace productivity in two contrasting office environments: one naturally ventilated, the other mechanically ventilated. Environmental parameters were continuously monitored over 19 months. Transverse and longitudinal surveys recorded occupants’ perception of their working environment and self-reported productivity, while performance tasks (numerical and proofreading) measured cognitive capability as proxy for measured productivity. Indoor temperatures and CO2 concentrations were found to be higher and more variable in the naturally ventilated office. However, the correlation between occupant perception of their indoor environment and perceived productivity was stronger in the mechanically ventilated office. Occupants of the naturally ventilated office were found to be more tolerant of their environment than their counterparts in the mechanically ventilated office. Task performance was affected by indoor environmental conditions such as indoor temperature and CO2 concentration. Interestingly in the naturally ventilated office, the median scores were up to 12% higher for tests conducted at CO2 concentrations <1400 ppm, compared to those conducted above 1400 ppm, whereas in the mechanically ventilated office, this threshold was only 1000 ppm.
Investigating the relationship between indoor environment and workplace productivity in naturally and mechanically ventilated office environments
This paper uses a case study-based approach to empirically investigate the relationship between indoor environment and workplace productivity in two contrasting office environments: one naturally ventilated, the other mechanically ventilated. Environmental parameters were continuously monitored over 19 months. Transverse and longitudinal surveys recorded occupants’ perception of their working environment and self-reported productivity, while performance tasks (numerical and proofreading) measured cognitive capability as proxy for measured productivity. Indoor temperatures and CO2 concentrations were found to be higher and more variable in the naturally ventilated office. However, the correlation between occupant perception of their indoor environment and perceived productivity was stronger in the mechanically ventilated office. Occupants of the naturally ventilated office were found to be more tolerant of their environment than their counterparts in the mechanically ventilated office. Task performance was affected by indoor environmental conditions such as indoor temperature and CO2 concentration. Interestingly in the naturally ventilated office, the median scores were up to 12% higher for tests conducted at CO2 concentrations <1400 ppm, compared to those conducted above 1400 ppm, whereas in the mechanically ventilated office, this threshold was only 1000 ppm.
Investigating the relationship between indoor environment and workplace productivity in naturally and mechanically ventilated office environments
Gupta, Rajat (author) / Howard, Alastair (author) / Zahiri, Sahar (author)
Building Services Engineering Research & Technology ; 41 ; 280-304
2020-05-01
25 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
British Library Online Contents | 2018
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