Indoor Air Quality: Rethinking rules of building design strategies in post-pandemic architecture

Between the ages of 6 and 18, children spend between 30 and 42 h a week at school, mostly indoors, where indoor environmental quality is usually deficient and does not favor learning. The difficulty of delivering indoor air quality (IAQ) in learning facilities is related to high occupancy rates and low interaction levels with windows. In non-industrialized countries, as in the cases presented, most classrooms have no mechanical ventilation, due to energy poverty and lack of normative requirements. This fact heavily impacts the indoor air quality and students’ learning outcomes. The aim of the paper is to identify the factors that determine acceptable CO2 concentrations. Therefore, it studies air quality in free-running and naturally ventilated primary schools in Chile, aiming to identify the impact of contextual, occupant, and building design factors, using CO2 concentration as a proxy for IAQ. The monitoring of CO2, temperature, and humidity revealed that indoor air CO2 concentration is above 1400 ppm most of the time, with peaks of 5000 ppm during the day, especially in winter. The statistical analysis indicates that CO2 is dependent on climate, seasonality, and indoor temperature, while it is independent of outside temperature in heated classrooms. The odds of having acceptable concentrations of CO2 are bigger when indoor temperatures are high, and there is a need to ventilate for cooling.

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Evaluasi Desain Bangunan Berdasarkan Sistem Sertifikasi DGNB (Studi Kasus : The Khabele School, Austin)

Arsitektura ◽

10.20961/arst.v19i2.47150 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 167

Author(s):

Dady Wicaksono ◽

Sugini Sugini

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Rapid Development ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Design Strategies ◽

Sustainable Building ◽

Pollution Problem ◽

Zero Carbon

The air pollution problem had become a big problem for many cities in the world. In line with the rapid development of these cities, the concept of sustainability also continues to develop with various solutions to overcome existing problems. To solve the air pollution problem, the authors evaluated the selected building object, The Khabele School, to see the extent of the building's contribution to overcoming the air pollution problem. The evaluation was carried out based on the DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) certification system, the variables measured were biotope area factor (BAF), indoor air quality, daylight factor, and zero-carbon mobility. The results reveal that indoor air quality and daylight factors could meet the desired standards, while BAF and zero-carbon mobility had not met the standard. Based on theoretical and empirical studies, this paper discussed alternative design strategies, to improve the quality of the building, so that they can contribute more to overcoming air pollution problem.

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A Health Performance Evaluation Model of Apartment Building Indoor Air Quality

Indoor and Built Environment ◽

10.1177/1420326x10393719 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 26-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Qi Zheng ◽

Donghoon Lee ◽

Sungho Lee ◽

Jeong Tai Kim ◽

Sunkuk Kim

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Health Effects ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Evaluation Model ◽

Construction Materials ◽

Human Perception ◽

Building Design ◽

Critical Issue ◽

Apartment Buildings

As illnesses attributable to deteriorating indoor air quality (IAQ) increase, people are becoming more aware of the health effects of IAQ because most people in Korea spend >80% of their time indoors. Notably, the IAQ of apartment buildings accounts for a massive share of the construction volume in Korea, which is a highly critical issue. Evaluation of health effects of IAQ would influence not only the statutory criteria for air quality improvement but could also contribute to the development of building design standards. In addition, such evaluation supports quantification efforts for the selection of wholesome construction materials and techniques. Evaluation of the health effects of IAQ is a complex exercise that would require comprehensive consideration of factors such as the concentrations and occurrences of various known, harmful indoor pollutants, ventilation performance in a building and temperature/humidity. Evaluation involves not only quantitative assessment of pollutants but also evaluation of IAQ based on human perception. The aim of this study was to develop a model to evaluate IAQ in quantitative terms based on health impact, but with an emphasis on apartment buildings.

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Optimalisasi Penghawaan Alami melalui Tata Ruang di Rumah Susun Bertingkat Rendah

Jurnal IPTEK ◽

10.31543/jii.v2i1.141 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 150-160

Author(s):

Fuad Rizal

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Public Housing ◽

Wind Velocity ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Natural Ventilation ◽

Electricity Consumption ◽

Building Design ◽

Maintenance Cost ◽

Housing Design

ABSTRACTÂ Quality of natural ventilation in low rise public housing in Jakarta tends to be low. Situation mentioned above presumably caused by several case, among other form and unadequate opening placement, unadequate furniture placement, form and orientation of public housing mass and minimum building protection from sun radiation. Whereas natural ventilation have an importent role in increasing indoor air quality, increasing occupant healthy and help increasing electricity consumption eficiency. The objective of this research is attempt solving natural ventilation problems in low rise public housing architecturally through designs that could used for occupant activity precisely and presenting good natural ventilation simultaneously so it can support occupant activity in public housing as efficiently, comfortable, healthy and secure. Research begins with conduct an observation towards existing public housing in Jakarta through interview, documentation of existing public housing condition and studying public housing designs through working documents and related standards. Collecting climate data especially wind velocity conducted to get illustration of condition that take place in definite period. Those data then analyzed to produce a model formula of public housing building that tested later with computer. The result of research show that the problems of natural ventilation in low rise public housing can be solved by accurately building design that can adapt with surrounding nature. Quite significant positive change occurs after modification does to the existing unit. Hopefully government through certain official can produce public housing design which more optimal, especially in natural ventilation. People also could knowing the caused of natural ventilation problems inside the room also could solving it by simply, efficiently and accurately through the result of this research. Some advantages occupant could gained are good and prevalent airflow inside the room, reducing air conditioning equipment utilization frequency, less maintenance cost and can it can works all the time. Â Keywords: natural ventilation, sun radiation, electricity consumption efficiency, indoor air quality, low rise public housing, wind velocity

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Analysis of Thermal Comfort and Air Quality in the Kindergarten Hart - A Case Study of a Unique Sustainable Building Design

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.887.500 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 887 ◽

pp. 500-507

Author(s):

Matthias Schuss ◽

Mahnameh Taheri ◽

Ulrich Pont ◽

Ardeshir Mahdavi

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Thermal Comfort ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Natural Ventilation ◽

Building Design ◽

Present Contribution ◽

Ongoing Research ◽

Indoor And Outdoor

The present contribution, reports on the results of ongoing research efforts on performance assessment of a number of buildings designed by the Austrian architect, Konrad Frey. He is a pioneer of energy-efficient architecture, and his designs, those dating back to the 1970s, adapted the principles of modern solar houses. The current study focuses on the Kindergarten Hart, which was especially designed focusing on the availability of cross ventilation option in building. For the purpose of analyzing thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and the occupants’ adaptive actions with respect to natural ventilation, we conducted long-term monitoring under summer and winter conditions. The monitoring efforts covered indoor and outdoor environmental conditions, as well as the state of windows. Thereby, study of the monitored dataset provides a better understanding of the building performance. Moreover, it makes it possible to examine whether the architect’s expectations in terms of thermal comfort and indoor air quality levels are fulfilled or not. In addition, investigation of the occupants’ interactions with windows, together with indoor and outdoor environmental conditions, assists understanding of possible associations between the window opening/closing and environmental parameters, as well as potential optimization of the control-oriented actions.

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Interior Materials Combination and Perceived Indoor Air Quality

MATEC Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/matecconf/201927903001 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 279 ◽

pp. 03001

Author(s):

Ingrid Juhasova Senitkova

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Indoor Air Pollution ◽

Sick Building Syndrome ◽

Building Design ◽

Sorption Ability ◽

Materials Used ◽

Sorption Effect ◽

Indoor Materials

The materials used in the buildings, either as surface structural materials or as furnishings, are mostly the sources of indoor air pollution. Interior surfaces are generally accepted as the main source of indoor TVOCs emissions. The poor indoor microclimate quality can cause the sick building syndrome, as well as negatively affects the people activities and wellbeing. In recent years the needs of indoor air quality and building performance improvement have been increasing. The indoor materials impact on perceived indoor air quality for various surface interior materials and its combination was studied within this paper. Traditional and progressive materials comparison reveals new fact regarding the TVOCs concentration. The task of the study was to investigate the possibility using individual material surfaces sorption ability. The chemical analysis and sensory assessments identifies health adverse of indoor air pollutants (TVOCs). Also we can use knowledge about the targeted use of sorption effect already in the building design phase. The results demonstrate the various sorption abilities of various indoor materials as well as various sorption ability of the same indoor material in various combinations.

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Design of healthcare structures by green standards

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202016405002 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 164 ◽

pp. 05002

Author(s):

Alexey Danilov ◽

Andrey Benuzh ◽

Orlan Yeye ◽

Steve Compaore ◽

Nikita Rud

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Quality Care ◽

Construction Materials ◽

Healthcare Setting ◽

Design Strategies ◽

Physical Setting ◽

Google Search ◽

Online Sources

Global warming is real, and the healthcare industry is both a contributor and a victim. Also, physical setting and, in particular, sustainable design practices can support patient recovery during hospitalization. In the context of this paper, focus areas for design of green healthcare structures have been explored in detail. Herein, we are laying focus on understanding architecturally justified approaches of interior lighting in a healthcare setting. This paper also discusses design strategies to improve indoor air quality in hospitals and the current international research to improve indoor air quality are reported. Other focus areas like greenhouse keeping, use of green interior materials and landscaping are discussed. Data for the review was extracted from published books and diverse online sources with the help of the Google search engine. It was found that healthcare structures, being resource intensive establishments, consume vast amounts of energy, water, and construction materials to provide high quality care. It was also found that healthcare institutions, by adopting sustainable measures are capable of reducing their environmental footprint to a bigger extent, boost the wellbeing of healthcare staff and aid patient recovery.

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Critical Building Design Factors for Indoor Air Quality and Climate: Current Status and Predicted Trends

Indoor Air ◽

10.1111/j.1600-0668.1991.07-11.x ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 79-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Hal Levin

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Building Design ◽

Current Status ◽

Design Factors

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Indoor air-quality investigation in code for sustainable homes and passivhaus dwellings

World Journal of Science Technology and Sustainable Development ◽

10.1108/wjstsd-08-2014-0021 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 39-60 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Grainne McGill ◽

Lukumon O. Oyedele ◽

Greg Keeffe

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Energy Efficient ◽

Building Design ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Energy Prices ◽

Content Type ◽

Zero Carbon ◽

The Uk

Purpose – Energy efficient building design strategies are growing in popularity, promoted through increased awareness of climate change, rising energy prices, global consciousness and a demand for energy security. To aid this design process, assessment tools such as Code for Sustainable Homes (CSHs) and Passivhaus were introduced in the UK. However, it is suggested that these tools prioritise energy efficiency over occupant health through a fundamental lack of attention to indoor air quality (IAQ). The purpose of this paper is to investigate IAQ in selected dwellings built using CSHs level 6, level 3 and Passivhaus homes in the UK. Design/methodology/approach – Using a case study approach, the investigation consisted of IAQ measurements during summer and winter months, occupant diaries and occupant interviews. Findings – The results from the IAQ measurements show the recommended maximum level of 1,000 ppm was breached in all three Code 6 and two Code 3 homes, with levels slightly below this limit in the two Passivhaus homes. Measurements found high levels of formaldehyde, carbon dioxide and low levels of relative humidity. Practical implications – There is a need for the adequate consideration of IAQ in sustainable assessment methods, including the use of mandatory credits to ensure occupant health is not disregarded in the drive towards zero carbon. Originality/value – These results can be used to recognise areas of improvement in the CSHs and Passivhaus standard, and the design of energy efficient homes in general. Research of this nature is essential to ensure occupant health is not sacrificed through the drive towards zero carbon.

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Indoor Air Quality Assessment of Latin America’s First Passivhaus Home

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos12111477 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 1477

Author(s):

Alejandro Moreno-Rangel ◽

Filbert Musau ◽

Tim Sharpe ◽

Gráinne McGill

Keyword(s):

Latin America ◽

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Large Scale ◽

Low Cost ◽

Building Design ◽

Energy Performance ◽

Living Room ◽

Physical Measurements

Sustainable building design, such as the Passivhaus standard, seeks to minimise energy consumption, while improving indoor environmental comfort. Very few studies have studied the indoor air quality (IAQ) in Passivhaus homes outside of Europe. This paper presents the indoor particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon dioxide (CO2), and total volatile organic compounds (tVOC) measurements of the first residential Passivhaus in Latin America. It compares them to a standard home in Mexico City. Low-cost monitors were installed in the bedroom, living room, and kitchen spaces of both homes, to collect data at five-minute intervals for one year. The physical measurements from each home were also compared to the occupants’ IAQ perceptions. The measurements demonstrated that the Passivhaus CO2 and tVOC annual average levels were 143.8 ppm and 81.47 μg/m3 lower than the standard home. The PM2.5 in the Passivhaus was 11.13 μg/m3 lower than the standard home and 5.75 μg/m3 lower than outdoors. While the results presented here cannot be generalised, the results suggest that Passivhaus dwellings can provide better and healthier indoor air quality in Latin America. Further, large-scale studies should look at the indoor environmental conditions, energy performance, and dwelling design of Passivhaus dwellings in Latin America.

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