Indoor environmental quality in Korean green building certification criteria—certified office buildings—occupant satisfaction and performance

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the indoor environmental quality of workplaces in Korean green building certification criteria-certified office buildings in Korea. A post-occupancy evaluation of two green and two conventional office buildings was conducted. Occupants (N = 222) completed a paper-based questionnaire related to perceived environmental satisfaction and performance. The study compared nine indoor environmental quality criteria in relation to occupant satisfaction and performance between Korean green building certification criteria-certified and non-Korean green building certification criteria-certified office buildings. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. The study found that in both cases (Cases 1 and 2) Korean green building certification criteria-certified buildings had better satisfaction scores in office furniture, cleanliness and maintenance, lighting, and thermal comfort quality than did non-Korean green building certification criteria-certified buildings. The study also found that in both cases (Cases 1 and 2) Korean green building certification criteria-certified buildings had better performance scores in lighting and thermal comfort quality than did non-Korean green building certification criteria-certified buildings. Office layout, office furniture, cleanliness and maintenance, lighting, thermal comfort, indoor air and indoor public space qualities have a higher influence on overall satisfaction and performance than other indoor environmental quality criteria. This study shows the value of some indoor environmental quality criteria that show a strong positive association with overall satisfaction and performance enhancement, but are not yet included in the official Korean green building certification criteria list of indoor environmental quality categories.