Study
Human FactorsHigh ImpactModerate effect

Indoor Environmental Quality Models Enhance User Well-being and Performance

Developing accessible models of indoor environmental quality can bridge the gap between research and practice, leading to healthier, more productive spaces.

Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) · 2016

01

Key Findings

  • 01There is a significant gap between available research on indoor environmental quality and its practical application by professionals.
  • 02Healthy indoor environments are a valuable investment, leading to improved well-being, performance, and reduced health problems.
  • 03Existing policies and standards often result in suboptimal indoor environmental quality.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Develop and utilize models that simplify complex research on indoor environmental quality to inform design decisions that enhance user health and performance.

How to apply

When designing any interior space, consider creating or using a simplified model that links environmental parameters (e.g., air quality, lighting, acoustics) to expected user outcomes (e.g., comfort, focus, health).

Project actions

  • 01Focus on a specific aspect of indoor environmental quality (e.g., lighting, acoustics, air quality).
  • 02Research existing guidelines and standards for that aspect.
  • 03Identify how these factors impact user perception and performance.
03

Method & Evidence

AimHow can knowledge about indoor environmental quality be modelled to be more accessible and applicable for practitioners in the real estate and design sectors?
MethodLiterature review and knowledge synthesis, leading to the development of a conceptual model.
ProcedureThe research synthesized existing knowledge on indoor environmental quality, its impact on perception and performance, and its relationship to health, aiming to create a framework that practitioners can use to evaluate and improve built environments.
ContextBuilt environment, real estate, workplace design, public spaces.

Variables

IV["Indoor environmental parameters (e.g., temperature, CO2 levels, light intensity, noise levels)."]
DV["User perception (e.g., comfort, satisfaction).","User performance (e.g., cognitive task speed, accuracy).","User well-being and health indicators."]
CV["User demographics (age, health status).","Task type.","Duration of exposure to the environment."]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Addresses a practical need for accessible design knowledge.
  • +Emphasizes a holistic approach to built environment design.

Limitations

It can be challenging to isolate the impact of a single environmental factor from others in a real-world setting.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings would depend on the consistency of the synthesized research. Validity would be enhanced by the breadth of literature reviewed and the robustness of the models developed.

Think critically

To what extent can a generalized model accurately predict the impact of indoor environmental quality on diverse user groups and contexts?

05

Design Principles

"The design of indoor environments should be holistically modelled to optimize human health, well-being, and performance."

Designers and engineers often struggle to translate complex research on indoor environments into actionable design decisions. By creating simplified, practical models, practitioners can more effectively integrate principles of health and well-being into their projects, ultimately benefiting users and organizations.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Making research about good indoor spaces easier to understand and use helps designers build healthier and more productive places.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this research to justify the importance of investigating indoor environmental factors in your design project.
  • 2.Cite the need for accessible models when explaining your research methodology.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

(2016). Modelling relationships between a comfortable indoor environment, perception and performance change. Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS). https://doi.org/10.4233/uuid:e7778a5c-3013-40ed-9567-bceaffc57ab9 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/f2521d98-d45a-42ed-b523-950ce8115f80/indoor-environmental-quality-models-enhance-user-well-being-and-performance

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the critical need for accessible models of indoor environmental quality to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical design application. By synthesizing existing research, it underscores how understanding and optimizing factors like air quality, lighting, and acoustics can significantly enhance user well-being and performance, leading to healthier and more productive built environments.

09

Source

Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS)

Modelling relationships between a comfortable indoor environment, perception and performance change

journal · 2016

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about indoor environmental quality models enhance user well-being and performance?
Develop and utilize models that simplify complex research on indoor environmental quality to inform design decisions that enhance user health and performance. Evidence: Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (2016).
Why does "Indoor Environmental Quality Models Enhance User Well-being and Performance" matter for design?
Designers and engineers often struggle to translate complex research on indoor environments into actionable design decisions. By creating simplified, practical models, practitioners can more effectively integrate principles of health and well-being into their projects, ultimately benefiting users and organizations.
How can designers apply this research?
Develop and utilize models that simplify complex research on indoor environmental quality to inform design decisions that enhance user health and performance.
What were the main findings?
There is a significant gap between available research on indoor environmental quality and its practical application by professionals.. Healthy indoor environments are a valuable investment, leading to improved well-being, performance, and reduced health problems.. Existing policies and standards often result in suboptimal indoor environmental quality.
What research method was used?
Literature review and knowledge synthesis, leading to the development of a conceptual model..
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2016 journal from Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS).
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing any interior space, consider creating or using a simplified model that links environmental parameters (e.g., air quality, lighting, acoustics) to expected user outcomes (e.g., comfort, focus, health).
What are the limitations?
The study focuses on modelling existing knowledge rather than conducting new empirical research on specific environmental factors.
Is there evidence that indoor affects design outcomes?
Despite existing guidelines, indoor environments are frequently of poor quality, impacting health and performance. Accessible models are needed to help designers and developers create better spaces. Designers and engineers often struggle to translate complex research on indoor environments into actionable design decisi Source: Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (2016).
Where does this indoor environmental research apply?
Built environment, real estate, workplace design, public spaces. It sits within human factors research on designdex.org.

Related research topics

indoor design research · evidence on indoor · does indoor improve design outcomes · indoor environmental studies for designers · indoor and indoor environmental findings · human factors research evidence