Development of Relationship Model between Occupant Productivity and Indoor Environmental Quality in Office Buildings in Qatar

Abstract

The green building and sustainability revolution from the early 21st century provided a significant improvement in building performance and reduced their carbon footprint. When building and operational costs are compared, personnel cost accounts for 85% of the operational cost of any organisation. Major green building guidelines across the world discuss human comfort and health aspects but don’t focus on human productivity in the office or other building typology. This gap presented an excellent opportunity to develop a model that establishes the relationship between indoor environmental quality and occupant productivity in office buildings. The study was conducted in Doha, Qatar using experiment and survey using 90 sensors in 15 zones in an office building for a period of nine month. Occupant productivity was captured using online survey with nine questions. Occupant response was analysed against various indoor environmental quality parameters using Response Surface Methodology to outline various relationships. Research study achieved its aim and objectives and produced eight innovative equations that represent the relationship between various indoor environmental factors and occupant productivity. Results also indicate that outside temperature and humidity have an indirect impact on occupant productivity; while temperature, relative humidity and light levels have the most significant impact on productivity. Lux levels have an indirect effect on an occupant’s perception of temperature, and outdoor relative humidity has an indirect effect on thermal comfort. Indoor environmental quality factors have direct impact on occupant productivity. This study’s unique focus and research design can be used to extend occupant productivity studies in different types of buildings in different climatic regions. It has provided a substantial contribution to the knowledge gap that existed between indoor environmental quality and occupant productivity. Future researchers can use this study to investigate occupant productivity and indoor environment further.