New tool reveals how building design impacts occupant health and satisfaction.
An interdisciplinary team from the University of Minnesota created a tool called Sustainable Post Occupancy Evaluation (SPOES) to assess satisfaction, health, and wellbeing in state-funded buildings. The tool uses an online questionnaire to gather feedback on indoor environmental quality from occupants. Since 2009, SPOES has helped building owners and designers improve workplace, classroom, and residence hall designs based on occupants' feedback. The tool provides scores on satisfaction to prioritize employee health and wellbeing in building practices.