IEQ-Compass – A tool for holistic evaluation of potential indoor environmental quality

The development of a new tool (IEQCompass) for holistic evaluation of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is presented. The purpose of the new tool is to facilitate a broader understanding of IEQ, its importance for comfort, health and well-being, and to help and guide the building design process regarding IEQ. The tool evaluates the potential indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal, visual and acoustic IEQ, without considering user influence. The evaluation uses 16 parameters, four for each of the four areas of IEQ (IAQ, thermal, visual and acoustic IEQ). These are evaluated based on relevant criteria assessed from blueprints, existing building information modelling data or observations during building inspection. The criteria and parameters are weighted to obtain an overall IEQ label for the building, as well as partial labels for the four areas. The labelling scheme uses letter ranking and colour code similar to that used in energy performance certification. The results are also communicated through the newly developed “IEQ Design Compass”, which is a detailed graphical visualisation at criteria level and helps identify potential IEQ problems that warrant attention.