Importance-performance analysis (IPA) of the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of an EDGE-certified building in Ghana

Abstract

PurposeThe excellence in design and greater efficiencies (EDGE) certification system has seen a gradual adoption worldwide, with Ghana having six out of its eight certified green buildings bearing an EDGE certification. However, little is known about occupants’ satisfaction with the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of EDGE-certified buildings. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the satisfaction of occupants with the IEQ of an EDGE-certified building in Ghana by identifying their perceived performance of the indoor environment relative to their perceived importance.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted to evaluate the performance of 12 IEQ parameters with the occupants of an EDGE-certified office building. The survey results were evaluated using a gap analysis and both traditional and alternative Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) matrices.FindingsThe findings revealed that noise level, temperature, cleanliness, sound privacy, air quality and humidity were IEQs that required the highest priority for improvement. Daylight and artificial lighting showed no appreciable performance gap. Space layout was adequately satisfied, whereas space size was overly satisfied. Visual privacy and outdoor view were found to require low priority of improvement.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the state-of-the-art of the IEQ of green buildings. It pioneers the research that seeks to examine the IEQ of EDGE-certified buildings. The gap analysis and the IPA were effective in prioritizing the IEQs for improvement action and provided a practical research framework that helped researchers examine the performance of green buildings, thereby giving valuable feedback to policymakers and building owners.

Guest editorial: Building performance and sustainable infrastructure: unsustainable return to practice

“…Few studies have evaluated the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) of such buildings. Here, Agyekum et al (2021) evaluate occupant perceptions of IEQ metrics for an EDGE certified office building. The expectations of IEQs for noise level, temperature, cleanliness, sound privacy, air quality and humidity failed to reach expected satisfaction measures, all identified as requiring improvement although other metrics either met or exceeded expectations.…”

“…Bruce-Konuah et al (2023) found that all domestic building occupants in their study of heating behaviour manually override their heating system, undermining the use of the thermostat set point. Agyekum et al (2023) showed that even when buildings were sustainably certified using an Environmental Rating framework, occupant satisfaction was not achieved in all Indoor Environmental Quality metrics. In two different studies on ventilation and infiltration by Roberts et al (2023) andFew andElwell (2023), although advancing the field, they demonstrate that current regulatory methods are not adequately profiling infiltration and estimated heat loss.…”

Fuzzy quantitative risk allocation model (FQRAM) to guide decision-making on risk allocation in Ghanaian public-private partnership (PPP) power projects

“…This extended amount of time is a strength as well as a drawback (Eshun and Amoako-Tuffour, 2016). Sponsors can reward equity risk capital with predictable income streams while servicing debt with long tenors (Adinyira et al , 2020; Agyekum et al , 2021). Fixed long-term take-or-pay contracts, on the other hand, may cause issues for both parties if the terms of the contracts change as a result of power market reform (Owusu-Manu et al , 2018a; Babon-Ayeng et al , 2022).…”

Effective measures to bolster the deployment of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) principles in building design: a focus on quantity surveying (QS) firms in Nigeria

“…Consequently, the term "IEQ" have been used to describe the quality of the indoor environment which encompasses several variables, including external conditions such as temperature and air pollution, the materials used in building construction, building services such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and the occupants themselves and their respective activities within the building (Ndou et al, 2021). Other variables includes ergonomics and spatial layout, spectrum of paints used, biophilic design elements, occupant density and space usage, electromagnetic radiation, esthetic design and ambiance and safety and security features (Aigbavboa and Thwala, 2019;Agyekum et al, 2023). While there are several variables that contribute to the quality of the indoor environment, studies have identified four major variables that have the most significant impact: acoustics, daylight, IAQ and temperature (Larsen et al, 2020;Nimlyat et al, 2022).…”

“…The undeniable influence of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) on human health and productivity, both directly and indirectly, highlights the need to prioritize occupant comfort in interior spaces (Aigbavboa and Thwala, 2019;Ndou et al, 2021). Given that a majority of individuals spend a significant portion of their lives within various buildings, including residential, institutional and commercial structures (Agyekum et al, 2023), there is a growing need to explore ways to improve IEQ and its effects on health and productivity. In general, most environmental features play a considerable role in shaping the quality, comfort, satisfaction and productivity of individuals (Sadick et al, 2020;Afful et al, 2022;Oke et al, 2023).…”