Affiliations: Department of Design and Environmental Analysis,
College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA | Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of
Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada | Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health
Sciences and Human Performance, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Julie A. Dorsey, Department of
Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences and Human Performance, Ithaca
College, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA. E-mail: jdorsey@ithaca.edu
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Green building standards are significantly
impacting modern construction practices. The resulting structures are more
energy efficient, but their impact on occupant health has not been widely
studied. OBJECTIVE: To investigate a range of indoor environment and
ergonomic issues in green buildings. METHODS: Retrospective
post-occupancy evaluation survey of 319 occupants in two Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings and one conventional
building on a Canadian University campus. RESULTS: Results show that
working in the LEED buildings was a generally positive experience for their
health, performance, and satisfaction. However, the LEED buildings did not
always receive the highest ratings for environmental conditions or for health
and productivity. Respondents indicated a range of concerns with thermal
conditions, office lighting, noise and their overall workstation designs and
these were not always better in the green buildings. CONCLUSIONS: These results
highlight the need for better integration of ergonomic design into green
buildings and into the LEED rating system, and these implications are
discussed.
