Construction of immersive and interactive methodology based on physiological indicators to subjectively and objectively assess comfort and performances in work offices

Abstract

The building sector and the indoor environment conception is undergoing major changes. There is a need to reconsider the way offices are built from a user’s centric point of view. Research has shown the influence of perceived comfort and satisfaction on performance in the workplace. By understanding how multi-sensory information is integrated into the nervous system and which environmental parameters influence the most perception, it could be possible to improve work environments. With the emergence of new virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies, the collection and processing of sensory information is rapidly advancing, moving forward more dynamic aspects of sensory perception. Through simulated environments, environmental parameters can be easily manipulated at reasonable costs, allowing control and guiding the user’s sensory experience. Moreover, the effects of contextual and surrounding stimuli on users can be easily collected throughout the test, in the form of physiological and behavioral data. Through the use of indoor simulations, this doctoral research goal is to develop a multi-criteria comfort scale based on physiological indicators under performance constraints. In doing this, it would be possible to define new quality indicators combining the different physical factors adapted to the uses and space. In order to achieve the objectives of this project, the first step is to develop and validate an immersive and interactive methodology for the assessment of multisensory information on comfort and performance in work environments.