Exploring Occupants’ Comfort and Indoor Environmental Qualities in Green Office Buildings

Purpose: People spend about 80% to 90% of their time indoors, and studies have shown that a range of comfort and health-related effects are related to building's features. The idea around green buildings is to ensure that the indoor environment is favourable to the occupants. Green buildings have been increasing in the US, Australia, and Europe for several years. However, in South Africa, green building is still a relatively new concept although its direct impact on occupants' safety, well-being, and efficiency on problems of both physical and non-physical indoor environmental quality (IEQ) (thermal, acoustic, visual, and air quality, etc.) has been studied. Although there are several studies conducted focussing on different aspects of Green Buildings, there is still not enough consideration given to IEQ of green buildings on occupants’ comfort in South Africa. This paper explores the effects of IEQ in green office buildings on occupants' comfort.Design/Methodology: This study targets all (69) GBCSA certified green office buildings in South Africa. The respondents were all employees of green accredited buildings. The survey was used to gather information on the occupants' satisfaction regarding the IEQ factors of the green office building space they are usingFindings: The results show that many participants developed sicknesses from the buildings they work from, and they were not satisfied with the ability to alter the lighting in their workspace. Regardless of these factors, the overall perception of occupants in green office buildings regarding IEQ factors is that they are satisfied. The results show that occupants may not be overly satisfied with some IEQ factors in their green offices, but they are still satisfied with their workspace in general.Practical implications: This research will assist in identifying IEQ factors that have an effect on occupants’ comfort and well-being in South African certified green office buildings. The findings might help designers incorporate IEQ factors into their design plan and life cycle of the building and use the study results to improve on the IEQ areas where the occupants were dissatisfied.