Evaluating the Connection between Thermal Comfort and Productivity in Buildings: A Systematic Literature Review

Bueno, Ana Maria; Xavier, Antônio Augusto de Paula; Broday, Evandro Eduardo

doi:10.3390/buildings11060244

Cited by 72 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 99 publications

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“…Exploiting classical mechanics principles (e.g., leverage) to assist or augment biological movement, in conjunction with principles of thermodynamics to improve thermal comfort, has the potential to improve user acceptance of and benefits from exos. Not only has thermal discomfort been identified as a barrier to exo use [ 15 , 16 ], it has also been shown to affect productivity [ 39 , 40 ]. Improving thermal comfort therefore has the potential to increase exo adoption and impact.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exoskeletons and Exosuits Could Benefit from Mode-Switching Body Interfaces That Loosen/Tighten to Improve Thermal Comfort

Elstub

Fine

Zelik

2021

IJERPH

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Exoskeletons and exosuits (exos) are wearable devices that physically assist movement. User comfort is critically important for societal adoption of exos. Thermal comfort (a person’s satisfaction with their thermal environment) represents a key design challenge. Exos must physically attach/interface to the body to apply forces, and these interfaces inevitably trap some heat. It is envisioned that thermal comfort could be improved by designing mode-switching exo interfaces that temporarily loosen around a body segment when assistive forces are not being applied. To inform exo design, a case series study (N = 4) based on single-subject design principles was performed. Our objective was to assess individual responses to skin temperature and thermal comfort during physical activity with a Loose leg-sleeve interface compared with a Form-Fitting one, and immediately after a Form-Fitting sleeve switched to Loose. Skin under the Loose sleeve was 2–3 °C (4–6 °F) cooler after 25 min of physical activity, and two of four participants reported the Loose sleeve improved their thermal comfort. After completion of the physical activity, the Form-Fitting sleeve was loosened, causing a 2–4 °C (3–8 °F) drop in skin temperature underneath for all participants, and two participants to report slightly improved thermal comfort. These findings confirmed that an exo that can quickly loosen its interface when assistance is not required—and re-tighten when it is— has the potential to enhance thermal comfort for some individuals and environments. More broadly, this study demonstrates that mode-switching mechanisms in exos can do more than adjust physical assistance: they can also exploit thermodynamics and facilitate thermoregulation in a way that enhances comfort for exo users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exoskeletons and Exosuits Could Benefit from Mode-Switching Body Interfaces That Loosen/Tighten to Improve Thermal Comfort

Elstub

Fine

Zelik

2021

IJERPH

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“…Thermal comfort refers to satisfaction with the thermal environment. The importance of thermal comfort is indicated by studies that show that the thermal environment has a significant impact on the health and productivity of building users [70]. Given that each person experiences thermal conditions differently, the aim is to provide average, optimal thermal comfort conditions in accordance with the function of architectural space.…”

Section: Thermal Comfortmentioning

confidence: 99%

Creating Sustainable Buildings: Structural Design Based on the Criterion of Social Benefits for Building Users

Nenadović

Milošević

2022

Sustainability

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Sustainable building involves reducing negative environmental impacts with a simultaneous increase in life quality. The aim is to optimize building performances while considering all aspects of sustainability: environmental, economic, and social. The building structure determines the building’s performances, and it should be designed and evaluated as a subsystem of the building, in line with the objectives of the system–building. This paper investigates structural design based on integrated design objectives within the criterion of social benefits for users throughout the use phase of the building, focusing on protection and safety, aspects of comfort, spatial organization, spatial adaptability, and maintenance. The problem was studied using integrative literature review methodology and system theory. The main findings of the research are a review and critical analysis of the representative literature and the derived conceptual framework for structural design based on the criterion of social benefits for building users, which should support more comprehensive and more efficient decision-making during systemic design and optimization of buildings. The presented integrated literature review indicates the need for the application of a systemic approach to structural design in order to create sustainable buildings.

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“…For example, a bad indoor environment would lead to long-term health problems and reduce the happiness index. [8][9][10][11][12][13] In the past decades, a large number of literature have studied the impact of the single environmental index on residents' comfort and work productivity. In terms of thermal environment, Kang et al 14 pointed out that thermal environment played an important role in residents' thermal satisfaction and work productivity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of different environment combinations on the comfort and productivity of researchers in winter

Kim

2022

Indoor and Built Environment

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Indoor environmental quality is considered an important indicator of the sustainable development of architecture. It not only reflects the comfort level of occupants in the building but also affects their productivity, particularly in research institutions. However, due to the inherent correlation among various environmental indexes, it is difficult to evaluate the influence of specific physical parameters on the occupant’s comfort and research performance. This paper is based on an experiment conducted in a controlled research office in a pharmaceutical research company in the Northeast of China. The controlled research office was equipped with a radiant floor heating system that supplied heating in winter. We recruited 32 researchers and divided them into four subgroups. Each subgroup of researchers was required to conduct daily research activities under 12 different environment combinations. Data were collected from physical environment measurements, questionnaire surveys and performance tests. The results reflected that under the condition of radian floor heating in winter, changes in thermal, visual and acoustic environments could have a significant influence on occupants’ satisfaction with the environment. However, the research performance was affected only by thermal and acoustic conditions. There was a weak correlation among thermal, visual, acoustic and indoor air quality comfort.

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Evaluating the Connection between Thermal Comfort and Productivity in Buildings: A Systematic Literature Review

Cited by 72 publications

References 99 publications

Exoskeletons and Exosuits Could Benefit from Mode-Switching Body Interfaces That Loosen/Tighten to Improve Thermal Comfort

Exoskeletons and Exosuits Could Benefit from Mode-Switching Body Interfaces That Loosen/Tighten to Improve Thermal Comfort

Creating Sustainable Buildings: Structural Design Based on the Criterion of Social Benefits for Building Users

Effects of different environment combinations on the comfort and productivity of researchers in winter

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