Abstract
The objective of this research paper is to investigate residents’ perception of indoor comfort conditions and user satisfaction in the residences for middle-income groups, focusing on thermal, visual and acoustical comfort. For this purpose, a residential satisfaction survey was conducted to residents of 5 housing estates in Ataevler, Bursa, Turkey. The study consists of literature review, evaluation of user satisfaction survey, and discussion of the research findings focusing on improving indoor environment. The questionnaires were applied to residents and they were asked to express their perception of indoor comfort and their satisfaction level with comfort parameters in which they live in. The answers have statically been analyzed in terms of percentages through SPSS 13.0. The results obtained indicate that the main dissatisfaction factors related to comfort conditions of middle income groups in their housing estates were related to indoor-outdoor noise problems and inadequate daylight received. The results suggest that comfort levels of users related to climatic factors vary based on their house and seasons. Heating levels of buildings are adjusted based on the comfort of the users. Comfort levels related to indoor-outdoor noise are very low. Satisfaction levels from visual comfort is low in buildings that were constructed close to each other because of inadequate daylight. Achieving optimal visual, acoustical, and climatic comfort conditions is essential to create a positive impact on users’ performance in houses. The results of this study and suggested comfort conditions are expected to contribute to building policies, building producers, academia and to the implementation of high quality, healthy and energy efficient houses.
Highlights
14% were between 19-25 years old, 24% were between 26-35 years old, 22% were between 36-45 years old, 25% were between 46-55 years old, and 15% of the respondents were above the age of 55. 2% of respondents reported to have master degrees, 39% have bachelor’s degrees; 39% have high school education and 20% have only secondary school education
The results obtained from the study show that "indoor noise problems", "outdoor noise problems" and inadequacy of daylight in houses are the leading factors of discomfort of middle income users
The results show that, achieving optimal visual, acoustical, and climatic comfort conditions is essential to create a positive impact on users’ performance in houses
Summary
User comfort and indoor air quality are certain issues associated with human health and well-being of society as a total sense of physical, mental and social well-being. The users’ performance and satisfaction are influenced by the comfort conditions of indoor environment. In this context, five selected case building were evaluated based on the perceptions of comfort in the physical environment, by considering the determinants of indoor comfort conditions including climatic, visual, acoustical aspects. Prior to the field study, a research was conducted on the architectural features of case buildings, together with a literature review on previous studies on healthy housing, visual-thermalacoustic comfort, impact of comfort conditions on user satisfaction with indoor spaces, health and healthy buildings
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