Short answer

When designing for indoor environmental quality, prioritize a user-centered approach that is supported by appropriate technologies and viable business models, ensuring the solution is sustainable and relevant to the local context.

Field
Sustainability
Source
Architecture (2025)
Method
Mixed-methods research
Sample
100 residential building occupants
Evidence
Strong effect

A holistic approach that combines technological innovation, adaptable business models, and a focus on occupant well-being is crucial for effective sustainable indoor environmental quality management in residential buildings. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Architecture. Using Mixed-methods research with 100 residential building occupants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing for indoor environmental quality, prioritize a user-centered approach that is supported by appropriate technologies and viable business models, ensuring the solution is sustainable and relevant to the local context.

Study
SustainabilityNew This WeekStrong effect

Integrating Human-Centered Design with Green Technologies Boosts Sustainable Indoor Environmental Quality

A holistic approach that combines technological innovation, adaptable business models, and a focus on occupant well-being is crucial for effective sustainable indoor environmental quality management in residential buildings.

Architecture · 2025

01

Key Findings

  • 01Integrating technological innovation, adaptable business models, and occupant well-being significantly enhances the implementation of sustainable IEQ strategies.
  • 02A context-specific framework is necessary for effective sustainable IEQ management.
02

Application

Design takeaway

When designing for indoor environmental quality, prioritize a user-centered approach that is supported by appropriate technologies and viable business models, ensuring the solution is sustainable and relevant to the local context.

How to apply

When developing strategies for improving indoor environmental quality in buildings, consider a multi-faceted approach that includes technological, economic, and human factors.

Project actions

  • 01Consider the user's needs and values throughout your design process.
  • 02Research existing business models and explore how they can be adapted for sustainable solutions.
03

Method & Evidence

AimHow can a design-led framework integrating core technologies, business models, and human values enhance sustainable indoor environmental quality management in residential buildings within a specific socio-economic and environmental context?
MethodMixed-methods research
ProcedureThe study involved a literature review, expert interviews, focus groups, and a survey of residential building occupants.
Sample100 residential building occupants
ContextResidential buildings in Jordan, with a focus on government institutions.

Variables

IV["Integration of technological innovation","Adaptable business models","Occupant well-being considerations"]
DVEffectiveness of sustainable indoor environmental quality management strategies
CV["Residential building context","Government institution focus"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Mixed-methods approach provides a comprehensive understanding.
  • +Focus on a specific, under-researched context (Jordan).

Limitations

The findings are specific to the Jordanian context and may not be directly transferable to other countries without modification.

Reliability & validity

The use of multiple data collection methods (interviews, focus groups, surveys) enhances the study's validity. Reliability would depend on the consistency of responses across similar participant groups and the replicability of the expert validation process.

Think critically

How might the socio-economic and environmental differences between Jordan and other countries impact the applicability of this framework?

05

Design Principles

"Sustainable design solutions must be technologically sound, economically viable, and socially acceptable."

This research highlights that simply focusing on energy efficiency is insufficient for improving indoor environmental quality. Designers and engineers must consider the human element and the socio-economic context to create truly sustainable and implementable solutions.

06

What This Means for Your Design

To make homes healthier and more eco-friendly inside, you need to think about new tech, how to sell it, and what people actually want and need.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this research to justify the inclusion of user research and business model considerations in your design project.
  • 2.Reference the importance of a holistic approach to sustainable design.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This study emphasizes that effective sustainable design for indoor environmental quality requires a comprehensive approach, integrating technological advancements with adaptable business models and a deep understanding of human-centered values. This holistic perspective is crucial for developing solutions that are not only environmentally responsible but also socially acceptable and economically viable within a specific context.

09

Source

Architecture

Design-Led Innovation for Sustainable Green Indoor Environmental Quality Management in Residential Buildings

journal · 2025

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about integrating human-centered design with green technologies boosts sustainable indoor environmental quality?
When designing for indoor environmental quality, prioritize a user-centered approach that is supported by appropriate technologies and viable business models, ensuring the solution is sustainable and relevant to the local context. Evidence: Architecture (2025).
Why does "Integrating Human-Centered Design with Green Technologies Boosts Sustainable Indoor Environmental Quality" matter for design?
This research highlights that simply focusing on energy efficiency is insufficient for improving indoor environmental quality. Designers and engineers must consider the human element and the socio-economic context to create truly sustainable and implementable solutions.
How can designers apply this research?
When designing for indoor environmental quality, prioritize a user-centered approach that is supported by appropriate technologies and viable business models, ensuring the solution is sustainable and relevant to the local context.
What were the main findings?
Integrating technological innovation, adaptable business models, and occupant well-being significantly enhances the implementation of sustainable IEQ strategies.. A context-specific framework is necessary for effective sustainable IEQ management.
What research method was used?
Mixed-methods research with 100 residential building occupants.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Architecture.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When developing strategies for improving indoor environmental quality in buildings, consider a multi-faceted approach that includes technological, economic, and human factors.
What are the limitations?
The framework is context-specific to Jordan and may require adaptation for other regions.