Short answer
Designers should consider implementing localized or zoned climate control solutions in airport terminals to address the distinct thermal preferences of passengers and staff, rather than relying on a single, uniform temperature setting.
- Field
- Human Factors
- Source
- Kent Academic Repository (University of Kent) (2015)
- Method
- Field survey and questionnaire-guided interviews.
- Sample
- Over 3,000 participants
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Passengers and staff in airport terminals have distinct thermal comfort needs, with passengers generally preferring cooler environments than staff. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in Kent Academic Repository (University of Kent). Using Field survey and questionnaire-guided interviews. with Over 3,000 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should consider implementing localized or zoned climate control solutions in airport terminals to address the distinct thermal preferences of passengers and staff, rather than relying on a single, uniform temperature setting.
Airport terminal thermal comfort preferences differ significantly between passengers and staff
Passengers and staff in airport terminals have distinct thermal comfort needs, with passengers generally preferring cooler environments than staff.
Kent Academic Repository (University of Kent) · 2015
Key Findings
- 01Passengers and staff exhibit significantly different thermal comfort requirements.
- 02Passengers prefer cooler temperatures than staff, with neutral temperatures for passengers being lower.
- 03Staff have a narrower comfort zone due to limited adaptive capacity, while passengers demonstrate higher tolerance and a wider range of comfort temperatures.
- 04A significant portion of occupants desire a thermal state other than neutral.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers should consider implementing localized or zoned climate control solutions in airport terminals to address the distinct thermal preferences of passengers and staff, rather than relying on a single, uniform temperature setting.
How to apply
When designing or retrofitting large public spaces with diverse user groups, conduct user research to understand specific thermal comfort needs and consider implementing adaptive or zoned environmental controls.
Project actions
- 01When researching user comfort, consider different user groups within the same space.
- 02Think about how different activities or roles might affect comfort needs.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Large sample size across multiple terminals.
- +Inclusion of both objective environmental data and subjective user feedback.
Limitations
The study's findings might not apply to all types of public buildings or all climates. The research didn't deeply explore how clothing choices affect comfort.
Reliability & validity
The use of standardized questionnaires and environmental monitoring equipment enhances reliability. The broad sample size and multiple locations contribute to external validity, though specific airport typologies might limit generalizability.
Think critically
How might the design of the building envelope and HVAC system be adapted to meet these differing thermal comfort needs within a single, large space?
Design Principles
"Thermal comfort is subjective and varies based on user group, activity, and environmental context; design solutions should accommodate this diversity."
Designing airport terminals requires a nuanced understanding of the diverse thermal needs of occupants. Ignoring these differences can lead to occupant dissatisfaction and inefficient energy use for climate control.
What This Means for Your Design
People using airports feel comfortable at different temperatures. Passengers usually want it cooler than the airport staff.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the need for user comfort studies in your design project, especially if your design serves multiple user groups.
- 2.Cite this study when discussing how different user needs can impact design decisions for environmental control.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research indicates that thermal comfort is highly subjective and varies significantly between different user groups within the same environment. For instance, in airport terminals, passengers and staff have demonstrably different thermal preferences, with passengers generally favouring cooler conditions and exhibiting a wider tolerance range compared to staff who have more limited adaptive capacity. This highlights the importance of considering diverse user needs in design to ensure both occupant satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Source
Kent Academic Repository (University of Kent)
Thermal comfort conditions in airport terminal buildings
journal · 2015
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about airport terminal thermal comfort preferences differ significantly between passengers and staff?
- Designers should consider implementing localized or zoned climate control solutions in airport terminals to address the distinct thermal preferences of passengers and staff, rather than relying on a single, uniform temperature setting. Evidence: Kent Academic Repository (University of Kent) (2015).
- Why does "Airport terminal thermal comfort preferences differ significantly between passengers and staff" matter for design?
- Designing airport terminals requires a nuanced understanding of the diverse thermal needs of occupants. Ignoring these differences can lead to occupant dissatisfaction and inefficient energy use for climate control.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers should consider implementing localized or zoned climate control solutions in airport terminals to address the distinct thermal preferences of passengers and staff, rather than relying on a single, uniform temperature setting.
- What were the main findings?
- Passengers and staff exhibit significantly different thermal comfort requirements.. Passengers prefer cooler temperatures than staff, with neutral temperatures for passengers being lower.. Staff have a narrower comfort zone due to limited adaptive capacity, while passengers demonstrate higher tolerance and a wider range of comfort temperatures.. A significant portion of occupants desire a thermal state other than neutral.
- What research method was used?
- Field survey and questionnaire-guided interviews. with Over 3,000 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2015 journal from Kent Academic Repository (University of Kent).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing or retrofitting large public spaces with diverse user groups, conduct user research to understand specific thermal comfort needs and consider implementing adaptive or zoned environmental controls.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focused on specific airport typologies and geographical locations, which may limit generalizability to all airport terminals. The influence of specific clothing or activity levels within the broad categories of 'passenger' and 'staff' was not exhaustively detailed.