Showing papers by "Philomena M. Bluyssen published in 2006"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the relationship between perceived IAQ, thermal, acoustic and lighting comfort, and building-averaged collected data, looking for correlations between building characteristics on one hand, and perceived comfort and health on the other hand.
Abstract: Within the European research project Health Optimisation Protocol for Energy-efficient Building (HOPE), 96 apartment buildings and 64 office buildings (of which approximately 75% have been designed to be energy-efficient) were investigated. The building characteristics were assessed according to a checklist during a walk-through survey. Occupant questionnaires were used to determine satisfaction about comfort (thermal visual, acoustical and indoor air quality (IAQ)) and their health (Sick Building Syndrome and allergies). Building-averaged collected data are compared, looking for correlations between building characteristics on one hand, and perceived comfort and health on the other hand. Strong correlations are found between perceived IAQ, thermal, acoustic and lighting comfort, confirming results from other studies. Significant correlations between the perceived comfort and building related symptoms were also found, comfortable and healthier buildings being well distinct from uncomfortable ones. Differences of perceived comfort or health between low- and high-energy buildings show that it is possible to design buildings that are healthy, comfortable and energy efficient.
116 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a methodology is proposed to perform a global evaluation of a building with regard to all these criteria, and a sample of 96 apartment buildings and 64 office buildings is used to determine a set of best buildings and a set that are not acceptable in terms of comfort, perceived health and energy use.
Abstract: In order to comply with sustainable development policy, the minimum that buildings should achieve are a healthy, comfortable and energy-efficient environment. Criteria for individually assessing each of the many criteria are known: the occupant's perceived health; the provided thermal, visual and acoustical comfort; and the indoor air quality and energy efficiency. A methodology is proposed to perform a global evaluation of a building with regard to all these criteria. This methodology is applied to a sample of 96 apartment buildings and 64 office buildings to determine a set of best buildings and a set of buildings that are not acceptable in terms of comfort, perceived health and energy use. Some significant differences between these two groups of buildings are presented. The very existence of the first set shows that it is possible to design and build office and apartment buildings that are simultaneously energy efficient, healthy and comfortable.
76 citations
01 Jan 2006
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used checklists addressing the building characteristics and self-administered questionnaires to the occupants asking their perceived comfort (thermal visual, acoustical and indoor air quality) and health (sick building syndrome symptoms and allergies).
Abstract: Within the European research project HOPE, 97 apartment buildings and 67 office buildings were investigated using checklists addressing the building characteristics and self-administered questionnaires to the occupants asking their perceived comfort (thermal visual, acoustical and indoor air quality) and health (sick building syndrome symptoms and allergies). 2703 valid questionnaires were collected in dwellings and 5992 in offices. Statistical interpretation of these individual questionnaires have shown several correlations between the presence of SBS symptoms or comfort complaints and the characteristics of the indoor environment
8 citations