Semester of Graduation
Summer 2025
Degree
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Bert S. Turner Department of Construction Management
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
This thesis evaluates the operational performance of residential and non-residential buildings in a humid subtropical climate, emphasizing Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and energy performance through empirical data and assessment models. Motivated by the increasing need for integrated sustainability evaluations, this study combines a systematic review with multi-method field investigations to advance understanding in this domain. The systematic review critically analyzed 99 case study articles, identifying dominant IEQ assessment methodologies and highlighting methodological inconsistencies that hinder cross-study comparability. Emerging computational approaches, although promising, remain underutilized. The review advocates for standardized, climate-responsive, and feedback-oriented evaluation frameworks. Field investigations assessed IEQ and energy performance across residential college lounges, public assembly buildings, and residential college buildings in Louisiana.
An extended IEQ model integrating subjective, objective, and energy performance components was developed, providing a holistic tool for facility management and sustainability planning. Findings underscore the importance of continuous operational evaluations, targeted interventions, and climate-sensitive strategies to enhance occupant comfort and building sustainability. This research contributes to the advancement of operational performance assessment by integrating occupant well-being and energy efficiency considerations.
It also lays the groundwork for developing an operational sustainability index through a proposed shift from additive to product-based integration of IEQ and energy performance metrics, offering new insights for the green certification industry and sustainable building practices in humid subtropical climates.
Date
7-27-2025
Recommended Citation
Awolesi, Oluwafemi, "The Operational Performance of Buildings in a Humid Subtropical Climate: Insights from Empirical Data and Assessment Models" (2025). LSU Master's Theses. 6180.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/6180
Committee Chair
Pang, Zhihong
Included in
Construction Engineering and Management Commons, Interior Architecture Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons