Category: Methodologies and Models
Architecture and Public Health: An epidemiological approach to understanding the performance of buildings
Presentation and mini-workshop:
60 minute presentation on recent California PIER funded research looking at how building design influences student and office worker performance.
30 minute discussion on
á potential for this research methodology
á the need for a link between architecture and public health disciplines
á implications for architectural research curricula, especially relative to mastering statistical methods and field survey data collection
I propose to provide an overview of survey and statistical methods used in to study 400 classrooms in Fresno Unified School District and 300 office workers at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, focusing on the limits of data collection methodologies and the power of statistical analysis of large data sets. The studies found a strong, consistent statistical connection between the quality of window views and human performance in classrooms and offices. A weaker link between daylight and other indoor environmental conditions was suggested. Overall, a clear pattern of the magnitude of influence that building design choices have on performance of occupants can be quantified. These, and previous daylighting studies funded by PG&E, have been hugely motivating to the advocates of Sustainable/High Performance Buildings, but these studies are difficult to fund and even more difficult to do. The discussion will then center on the limitations of current university curricula to support this kind of research and the need for more interdisciplinary connections, especially between architecture, planning and public health.
Audio visual needs: computer projector and screen
Materials provided: downloads to reports and appendices, list of refences (PIER reports available at www.h-m-g.com)
Session leader: Lisa Heschong (contact info above on letter head)