Multi-domain occupant comfort experimentation framework in different climate zones

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The proposed project establishes a collaboration between researchers at Concordia University and the American University in Cairo to conduct simultaneous multi-domain occupant comfort experiments in different climate zones. These experiments will investigate the interrelationship between various indoor environmental parameters on perceived occupant comfort through a series of replicable experiments that entail 1) testing the influence of colored light on occupants' thermal responses, and 2) testing the feasibility of using skin temperature and heart rate variability as predictors for human thermal sensation and consequently comfort. Experiments will involve recruited test subjects in each location which provides a unique opportunity to investigate the influence of contextual settings and population characteristics, particularly using data from warmer climates in the global south which is relatively less investigated. Thermal response will be assessed using both thermal perception questionnaires and physiological measurements such as skin temperature, and heart rate variability. Therefore, outcomes of this research will provide new insights on the complex topic of multi-domain occupant comfort which is still being investigated within the scientific community. It will also contribute to the applicant's research within the International Energy Agency (IEA), Energy in Buildings and Communities (EBC), Annex 79 on occupant-centric building design and operations, thus it will develop Canadian strength and leadership on this topic. Understanding the factors that create a comfortable and healthy indoor environment will also provide tremendous benefits to Canada, especially as Canadians spend more than 90% of their time indoors, thus improving comfort can significantly increase their wellbeing and productivity.