An indoor environmental quality study for higher education buildings with an integrated BIM-based platform.

Lists

Maigari, Mukhtar, Fu, Changfeng, Balodimou, Efcharis ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1249-3941, Kc, Prapooja, Sudhakaran, Seeja and Sakikhales, Mohammad ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0019-2084 (2025) An indoor environmental quality study for higher education buildings with an integrated BIM-based platform. Sustainability, 17 (13). pp. 1-27.

Preview

PDF (PDF/A)
An Indoor Environmental Quality Study for Higher Education Buildings_MaigariM_accessible.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (5MB) | Preview

Official URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/13/6155

Abstract

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of higher education (HE) buildings significantly impacts the built environment sector. This research aimed to optimize learning environments and enhance student comfort, especially post-COVID-19. The study adopts the principles of Post-occupancy Evaluation (POE) to collect and analyze various quantitative and qualitative data through environmental data monitoring, a user perceptions survey, and semi-structured interviews with professionals. Although the environmental conditions generally met existing standards, the findings indicated opportunities for further improvements to better support university communities’ comfort and health. A significant challenge identified by this research is the inability of the facility management to physically manage and operate the vast and complex spaces within HE buildings with contemporary IEQ standards. In response to these findings, this research developed a BIM-based prototype for the real-time monitoring and automated control of IEQ. The prototype integrates a BIM model with Arduino-linked sensors, motors, and traffic lights, with the latter visually indicating IEQ status, while motors automatically adjust environmental conditions based on sensor inputs. The outcomes of this study not only contribute to the ongoing discourse on sustainable building management, especially post-pandemic, but also demonstrate an advancement in the application of BIM technologies to improve IEQ and by extension, occupant wellbeing in HE buildings.

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.3390/su17136155
Keywords:	building information modeling (BIM); facilities management (FM); higher education (HE) buildings; indoor environmental quality (IEQ); post-occupancy evaluation (POE)
Subjects:	Construction and engineering
Depositing User:	Mukhtar Maigari
Date Deposited:	07 Jul 2025 08:35
Last Modified:	07 Jul 2025 11:15
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/13825

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Actions (login required)

View Item

References

1. Bernstein, S. The United Nations and the Governance of Sustainable Development Goals; Kanie, N., Biermann, F., Eds.; The MIT Press:
Cambridge, MA, USA, 2017; pp. 213–240.
2. Dimitrios, K. Built environment and indoor air quality: The case of volatile organic compounds. AIMS Environmental Science
2021, 8, 135–147.

3. ASHRAE. Guideline 10P, Interactions Affecting the Achievement of Acceptable Indoor Environments; Second Public Review, ASHRAE:
Atlanta, GA, USA, 2010.
4. Chen, C.F.; Yilmaz, S.; Pisello, A.L.; De Simone, M.; Kim, A.; Hong, T.; Bandurski, K.; Bavaresco, M.V.; Liu, P.L.; Zhu, Y. The
impacts of building characteristics, social psychological and cultural factors on indoor environment quality productivity belief.
Build. Environ. 2020, 185, 107189.
5. Altomonte, S.; Schiavon, S.; Kent, M.G.; Brager, G. Indoor environmental quality and occupant satisfaction in green-certified
buildings. Build. Res. Inf. 2019, 47, 255–274.
6. Kamaruzzaman, S.N.; Egbu, C.O.; Mahyuddin, N.; Zawawi, E.M.A.; Chua, S.J.L. Effect of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
to the Human Occupation Health and Performance in Buildings. In University of East London (UEL) Repository. 2019. Available
online: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/228124676.pdf (accessed on 21 May 2025).
7. Ackley, A.; Donn, M.; Thomas, G. The Influence of Indoor Environmental Quality in Schools. In Back to the Future: The Next 50
Years, 51st International Conference of the Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA), Wellington, New Zealand, 29 November–2
December 2017; Schnabel, M.A., Ed.; Architectural Science Association: Australia, 2017; pp. 625–634.
8. Sadrizadeh, S.; Yao, R.; Yuan, F.; Awbi, H.; Bahnfleth, W.; Bi, Y.; Cao, G.; Croitoru, C.; de Dear, R.; Haghighat, F.; et al. Indoor
air quality and health in schools: A critical review for developing the roadmap for the future school environment. J. Build. Eng.
2022, 57, 104908.
9. Nasrullah, S.; Khan, M.S. The Impact of Time Management on the Students’ Academic Achievements. J. Lit. Lang. Linguist. 2015,
11, 66–71.
10. Kamaruzzaman, S.N.; Razali, A.; Zawawi, A.; Riley, M. Factors affecting Indoor Environmental Quality and potential health
risks of housing residents. In Proceedings of the National Invention and Innovation Through Exhibition Competition
Conference, Jitra Kedah, Malaysia, 20–23 March 2017.
11. Weerasinghe, A.S.; Rasheed, E.O.; Rotimi, J. Occupants’ Decision-Making of Their Energy Behaviours in Office Environments:
A Case of New Zealand. Sustainability 2023, 15, 2305.
12. Claysen, G.; Wyon, D.P. The combined effects of many different indoor environmental factors on acceptability and office work
performance. HVAC R Res. 2008, 14, 103–113.
13. Abdulaali, S.; Usman, I.; Hanafiah, M.; Abdulhasan, M.; Hamzah, M.; Nazal, A. Impact of poor Indoor Environmental Quality
(IEQ) to Inhabitants’ Health, Wellbeing and Satisfaction. Int. J. Adv. Sci. Technol. 2020, 29, 1284–1296.
14. Awang, N.; Mahyuddin, N.; Kamaruzzaman, S. Indoor Environmental Quality Assessment and Users Perception in Meru
Secondary School (SMK Meru). J. Build. Perform. 2015, 6, 1–11. Available online:
https://spaj.ukm.my/jsb/index.php/jbp/article/view/160 (accessed on 21 May 2025).
15. Khalil, N.A.; Kamoona, G.M.I. The Effect of Indoor Air Quality in University Classrooms on the Immunity of Its Occupants. Int.
J. Sustain. Dev. Plan. 2022, 17, 2453–2461.
16. Choi, S.; Guerin, D.; Kim, H.; Brigham, J.; Bauer, T. Indoor Environmental Quality of Classrooms and Student Outcomes: A
Path Analysis Approach. J. Learn. Spaces 2014, 2, 1–14. Available online: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1152654.pdf (accessed
on 21 May 2025).
17. Bluyssen, P.M. The Healthy Indoor Environment: How to Assess Occupants’ Wellbeing in Buildings, 1st ed.; Routledge: London, UK,
2013.
18. Burridge, H.C.; Bontitsopoulos, S.; Brown, C.; Carter, H.; Roberts, K.; Vouriot, C.; Weston, D.; Mon-Williams, M.; Williams, N.;
Noakes, C. Variations in classroom ventilation during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from monitoring 36 naturally
ventilated classrooms in the UK during 2021. J. Build. Eng. 2022, 63, 105459.
19. Hodges, C.P. A facility manager's approach to sustainability. J. Facil. Manag. 2005, 3, 312–324.
20. Lee, S.Y.; Kang, M. Innovation characteristics and intention to adopt sustainable facilities management practices. Ergonomics
2013, 56, 480–491.
21. Brink, H.W.; Loomans, M.G.L.C.; Mobach, M.P.; Kort, H.S.M. Classrooms' indoor environmental conditions affecting the
academic achievement of students and teachers in higher education: A systematic literature review. Indoor Air 2021, 31, 405–
425.
22. Amaral, A.R.; Rodrigues, E.; Gaspar, A.R.; Gomes, Á. A review of empirical data of sustainability initiatives in university
campus operations. J. Clean. Prod. 2020, 250, 119558.
23. Hoang, G.; Vu, D.; Le, N.; Nguyen, T. Benefits and challenges of BIM implementation for facility management in operation and
maintenance face of buildings in Vietnam. In IOP Conference Series Material Science and Engineering; IOP Publishing: Hanoi,
Vietnam, 2020; Volume 869.

24. Du, J.; Hoeft, M. Use of BIM in Building Operations and Maintenance: An Approach to Identifying Sustainable Value, KTH
Royal Institute of Technology, KTH DiVA. 2020. Available online: https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-277036
(accessed on 21 May 2025).
25. Condotta, M.; Scanagatta, C. BIM-based method to inform operation and maintenance phases through a simplified procedure.
J. Build. Eng. 2023, 65, 105730.
26. Marzouk, M.; Abdelaty, A. BIM-based framework for managing performance of subway stations. Autom. Constr. 2014, 41, 70–
77.
27. Alavi, H.; Bortolini, R.; Forcada, N. BIM-based decision support for building condition assessment. Autom. Constr. 2022, 135,
104117.
28. CIBSE. Monitoring Indoor Environmental Quality (TM68); Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, Knowledge Series:
London, UK, 2022.
29. CIBSE. Guide A, Environmental Design; Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers: London, UK, 2021.
30. Walikewitz, N.; Jänicke, B.; Langner, M.; Meier, F.; Endlicher, W. The difference between the mean radiant temperature and the
air temperature within indoor environments: A case study during summer conditions. Build. Environ. 2015, 84, 151–161.
31. 7726:1998; Ergonomics of the Thermal Environment—Instruments for Measuring Physical Quantities. International
Organization for Standardization: Geneva, Switzerland, 1998.
32. WHO. Methods for Sampling and Analysis of Chemical Pollutants in Indoor Air; World Health Organization: Copenhagen, Denmark,
2020.
33. 10551:2019; Ergonomics of the Physical Environment—Subjective Judgement Scales for Assessing Physical Environments.
International Organization for Standardization: Geneva, Switzerland, 1998.
34. Ali, S.M. Measured and Perceived Conditions of Indoor Environmental Qualities (IEQ) of University Learning Environments
in Semi-arid Tropics: A Field Study in Kano-Nigeria. Doctoral Thesis, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK, 2018.
Available online: https://pure.port.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/13075145/Sani_s_Thesis_up_713220_.pdf (accessed on 21 May
2025).
35. EN 16798-2:2019; Energy Performance of Buildings—Ventilation for Buildings—Part 2: Interpretation of the Requirements in
EN 16798-1. European Committee for Standardization: Brussels, Belgium, 2019.
36. Jiang, J.; Wang, D.; Liu, Y.; Xu, Y.; Liu, J. A study on pupils' learning performance and thermal comfort of primary schools in
China. Build. Environ. 2018, 134, 102–113.
37. Elnaklah, R.; Ayyad, Y.; Alnusairat, S.; AlWaer, H.; AlShboul, A. A Comparison of Students’ Thermal Comfort and Perceived
Learning Performance between Two Types of University Halls: Architecture Design Studios and Ordinary Lecture Rooms
during the Heating Season. Sustainability 2023, 15, 1142.
38. Geng, Y.; Ji, W.; Lin, B.; Zhu, Y. The impact of thermal environment on occupant IEQ perception and productivity. Build. Environ.
2017, 121, 158–167.
39. Mendell, M.J.; Heath, G.A. Do indoor pollutants and thermal conditions in schools influence student performance? A critical
review of the literature. Indoor Air 2005, 15, 27–52, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0668.2004.00320.x.
40. Greene, R.; Eftekhari, M.; Clements–Croome, D.; Georgiou, G. Measurements of CO2 Levels in a Classroom and its Effect on the
Performance of the Students; CIBSE ASHRAE Technical Symposium, Imperial College: London, UK. 2012; Loughborough
Institutional Repository.
41. Satish, U.; Mendell, M.J.; Shekhar, K.; Hotchi, T.; Sullivan, D.; Streufert, S.; Fisk, W.J. Is CO2 an Indoor Pollutant? Direct Effects
of Low-to-Moderate CO2 Concentrations on Human Decision-Making Performance. Environ. Health Perspect. 2012, 120, 1671–
1677.
42. Lama, S.; Fu, C.; Lee, A. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Evaluation of Higher Education Learning Environments. J. Smart Build. Constr.
Technol. 2022, 4, 1–14.
43. Maigari, M.; Fu, C.; Deng, J.; Bahadori-Jahromi, A. Indoor Environmental Quality Study for Higher Education Buildings. In
Advancements in Indoor Environmental Quality and Health; IntechOpen: Bevilacqua, Piero, 2023.
44. Seppanen, O.A.; Fisk, W.J.; Mendell, M.J. Association of ventilation rates and CO2 concentrations with health andother
responses in commercial and institutional buildings. Indoor Air 1999, 9, 226–252.
45. Building Bulleting (BB) 101; Ventilation, Thermal Comfort and Indoor Air Quality of School Buildings. Education and Skills
Funding Agency: Coventry, UK, 2018.
46. CIBSE. Guide A—Design Guide; Knowledge Series; Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers: London, UK, 2017.

47. Building Bulleting (BB) 93; Acoustic Design of Schools: Performance Standards. Education and Skills Funding Agency: Coventry,
UK, 2014.
48. BS EN 12464-1: 2021; Light and Lighting-Lighting of Work Places. British Standard (BS): London, UK, 2021.
49. Octopart. Arduino Uno. 2014. Available online: https://datasheet.octopart.com/A000066-Arduino-datasheet-38879526.pdf
(accessed on 21 May 2025).
50. Nicoletti, F.; Carpino, C.; Cucumo, M.A.; Arcuri, N. The Control of Venetian Blinds: A Solution for Reduction of Energy
Consumption Preserving Visual Comfort. Energies 2020, 13, 1731. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13071731.
Hu, X.; Assaad, R.H. A BIM-enabled digital twin framework for real-time indoor environment monitoring and visualization by
integrating autonomous robotics, LiDAR-based 3D mobile mapping, IoT sensing, and indoor positioning technologies. J. Build.
Eng. 2024, 86, 108901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.108901.
52. D'UVa, D.; Bolognesi, C. Low-cost Real-Time monitoring with BIM Integration in a Polluted Urban Environment. ISPRS-Int.
Arch. Photogramm. Remote. Sens. Spat. Inf. Sci. 2024, XLVIII-2/W, 133–138.
53. Yu, K.-H.; Chen, Y.-A.; Jaimes, E.; Wu, W.-C.; Liao, K.-K.; Liao, J.-C.; Lu, K.-C.; Sheu, W.-J.; Wang, C.-C. Optimization of thermal
comfort, indoor quality, and energy-saving in campus classroom through deep Q learning. Case Stud. Therm. Eng. 2021, 24,
100842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2021.100842.
54. Valladares, W.; Ortiz, M. A.; Sebastián, R.; Coronas, A.I. Energy optimization in air conditioning systems using

Tools

CORE (COnnecting REpositories)

The University of West London

An indoor environmental quality study for higher education buildings with an integrated BIM-based platform.

Abstract

Downloads

Actions (login required)

Menu