Post-occupancy evaluation of thermal comfort at studio classroom in hot and humid climate

Abstract

Abstract Thermal comfort is crucial in providing a productive learning environment, especially in the design studio classroom with a longer lecture duration (09.00-15.00). This study aims to investigate the thermal performance ability to provide thermal comfort for its users in a design studio classroom at Universitas Indonesia, Depok. Ninety-one students (20% Male, 80% Woman) aged 19-22 years old were surveyed about their thermal perspective by using TSV, TP, HSV, HP, metabolic rate (MET), and clothing insulation (clo). Field measurement recorded humidity and temperature conditions over two lecture periods. The indoor operative temperature for periods A and B was 27.28°C and 26.78°C, respectively, with TSV values in both periods within the comfort temperature range (mean: (A) -0.30, (B) -0.58). However, TP values suggest that the users prefer a slightly cooler condition with values of -1.53 and -1.12, respectively, for Periods A and B. The results show that studio classrooms can perform thermally well even though some users prefer slightly cooler temperatures. This study scored the necessity of understanding both subjective and objective aspects of thermal comfort to create an optimal learning environment. Findings suggest that further study should consider variations in individual preferences and the influence of external environmental factors.