Do elementary school children eat less in noisy cafeterias?

Abstract

Twenty years ago, the increased occupant productivity linked with high performance, LEED, green, sustainable, Passivhaus, and day-lit buildings was generally backed by anecdote. A flurry of recent research, however, has consistently confirmed the once-anecdotal narrative: when buildings perform better, workers do more, students learn more, and sales spike. After a substantial financial investment in a high performance building, owners can expect meaningful energy savings with modest payback times, but for buildings where occupant performance has a value, both the construction costs and energy savings are a rounding error relative to occupant productivity benefits. Geothermal and passive thermal systems are explored as opportunities to align low-energy thermal systems to acoustics; passive ventilation and thermal mass are explored as low-energy thermal comfort strategies that challenge acoustic concerns. The author’s recent research in daylighting, thermal mass, night insulation, and the effects of cafeteria noise on the eating habits of elementary school children will be highlighted.