Thermal Comfort in Intermediate Spaces of Educational Buildings (Case Study: Isfahan University of Technology)

Motalaei, Sanaz; Khodabakhshian, Meghedy; Majidi, Fatemeh Alsadat; Abravesh, Mahdieh

doi:10.22034/ijumes.2025.2038355.1249

Thermal Comfort in Intermediate Spaces of Educational Buildings (Case Study: Isfahan University of Technology)

Document Type : Case Study

Authors

Sanaz Motalaei ¹

Meghedy Khodabakhshian ¹

Fatemeh Alsadat Majidi ¹

Mahdieh Abravesh ²

¹ Department of Architecture, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

² Department of Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

10.22034/ijumes.2025.2038355.1249

Abstract

This study explores the concept of thermal comfort in intermediate (semi-enclosed or enclosed transitional) spaces at Isfahan University of Technology (IUT), located in a hot-arid climate. While most comfort standards focus on fully enclosed, mechanically controlled environments, this research aims to assess whether such standards apply to transitional architectural spaces and to what extent users adapt to these microclimates. A year-long cross-sectional survey was conducted, combining subjective questionnaires with on-site physical measurements in selected intermediate spaces across the IUT campus. The investigation evaluated thermal sensation, preference, and acceptability in relation to indoor environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and air velocity. The collected data were then compared to ASHRAE comfort standards and predictive models like the Adaptive Mean Vote and Predicted Mean Vote. The results revealed that occupants in intermediate spaces displayed a higher degree of thermal adaptability than predicted by conventional comfort models. The neutral temperature in enclosed intermediate zones was determined to be 23.5°C-0.35°C higher than the AMV model’s prediction. Despite deviations from the ASHRAE thermal comfort zone, users still rated their thermal environment as acceptable, emphasizing the psychological and behavioral flexibility in semi-enclosed educational spaces. Laboratory-based and stable models such as PMV are inadequate for evaluating thermal comfort in enclosed intermediate spaces of educational buildings. These environments require field-based calibration of comfort expectations to reflect real-life adaptive behaviors. Establishing a unique comfort standard tailored to such spatial typologies is essential to support user satisfaction and sustainable design strategies in arid climate regions.

Graphical Abstract

Thermal Comfort in Intermediate Spaces of Educational Buildings (Case Study: Isfahan University of Technology)

Highlights

· Investigates thermal comfort in intermediate (semi-enclosed) spaces at Isfahan University of Technology (IUT).

· Utilizes cross-sectional surveys and on-site environmental measurements over a one-year period.

· Findings reveal higher occupant adaptability in intermediate spaces of hot-arid climates, compared to ASHRAE comfort standards.

· Neutral temperature identified as 23.5°C, slightly higher than the value predicted by the Adaptive Model (AMV).

· Suggests that standard thermal comfort models (e.g., PMV) are not fully applicable to intermediate educational spaces.

· Recommends developing specific standards for these spaces based on field studies and occupant-environment compatibility.

Keywords

Adaptive behaviors

educational building

Indoor Environment Quality

intermediate spaces

thermal adaption

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