Karimian, Hamidreza (2025) Exploring the Dynamics of Occupants’ Thermal and Visual Perception, Physiological Responses, and Performance in Office Environments. Masters thesis, Concordia University.
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Abstract
Understanding occupant comfort in indoor environments is critical for designing spaces that promote well-being and efficiency. However, traditional assumptions regarding occupants’ thermal and visual preferences often result in energy inefficiency or discomfort. This thesis examines different approaches for acquiring occupant information—ranging from subjective feedback and physiological measurements—to better understand comfort preferences in varying environments.
Additionally, this work addresses the gaps in comfort research, which is predominantly focused on the Global North, by conducting experimental studies in contrasting climatic regions (Montreal, Canada - ASHRAE Climate Zone 6, and Cairo, Egypt - ASHRAE Climate Zone 2B). These studies investigate the interplay between thermal and visual comfort domains under varied lighting and temperature conditions and their impact on physiological responses such as heart rate variability (HRV) and skin temperature (ST). Furthermore, thermal comfort analyses were conducted using wearable sensing technologies to monitor physiological signals, including electroencephalography (EEG), HRV, and ST. These analyses assess how thermal conditions influence comfort perceptions and task performance across different genders and locations, revealing significant variations in physiological responses to temperature and lighting conditions. The experiments were conducted in controlled office environments to simulate real-world conditions, and the data collected aimed to evaluate location-specific and gender-related differences in comfort and performance.
Comparative analyses from experimental trials in Montreal and Cairo show notable differences in thermal comfort perception and task performance, with males being more sensitive to thermal conditions and location-specific variations affecting heart rate variability and skin temperature. These findings provide a foundation for developing adaptive building environments that can dynamically adjust indoor conditions to improve occupant well-being and energy efficiency.
These findings offer valuable insights into the relationship between physiological responses, thermal comfort perceptions, and occupant performance in office environments, offering a pathway toward the integration of Occupant-Centric Control (OCC) strategies in future smart building environment.
| Divisions: | Concordia University > Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science > Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering |
|---|---|
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
| Authors: | Karimian, Hamidreza |
| Institution: | Concordia University |
| Degree Name: | M.A. Sc. |
| Program: | Building Engineering |
| Date: | April 2025 |
| Thesis Supervisor(s): | Ouf, Mohamed |
| Keywords: | Thermal Comfort; Physiological Measurements; Location-Based Variations; Gender-Responsive Comfort; Task Performance |
| ID Code: | 995404 |
| Deposited By: | Hamidreza Karimian |
| Deposited On: | 17 Jun 2025 17:17 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Jun 2025 17:17 |
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