In the quest for healthier, more productive work environments, the concept of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has taken a central stage. However, achieving excellent IAQ transcends mere health considerations; it is intricately linked to comfort, enjoyment, and overall productivity in office settings. A recent work by Eurac Research in collaboration with University of Trento published for the Journal of Building Engineering delves into how various factors related to both buildings and occupants influence Perceived Air Quality (PAQ), revealing insights that can guide better design and management practices.

Perceived Air Quality refers to how individuals experience and assess the quality of air in their surroundings, particularly in office environments. While much research has concentrated on identifying environmental pollutants and their impact, fewer studies have systematically examined how the characteristics of the buildings themselves and the demographics of the occupants contribute to PAQ satisfaction.

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this study critically analyses the existing evidence (39 field and laboratory studies) on building- and occupant-related factors that influence PAQ satisfaction in office buildings and their implications for building design and management.

"The study promotes a holistic approach to building design and management, empowering all professionals involved (e.g., mechanical engineers, architects, building managers) by highlighting the influence their individual choices can have on PAQ satisfaction. While much of the existing literature focuses on how environmental factors (e.g., contaminants, thermal, visual, and acoustic parameters) affect Perceived Air Quality (PAQ), fewer studies have comprehensively explored the influence of building-related (e.g., finishing materials) and occupant-related (e.g., socio-demographic) factors" says Giulia Torriani, first author of the article.

Here the link to the original article