Improving Indoor Air Quality in a Higher-Education Institution Through Biophilic Solutions

Maria Idália Gomes (), Ana Maria Barreiros, Iola Pinto and Alexandra Rodrigues
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Maria Idália Gomes: Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa—ISEL, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Rua Conselheiro Emídio Navarro, 1, 1959-007 Lisboa, Portugal
Ana Maria Barreiros: Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa—ISEL, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Rua Conselheiro Emídio Navarro, 1, 1959-007 Lisboa, Portugal
Iola Pinto: Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa—ISEL, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Rua Conselheiro Emídio Navarro, 1, 1959-007 Lisboa, Portugal
Alexandra Rodrigues: Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa—ISEL, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Rua Conselheiro Emídio Navarro, 1, 1959-007 Lisboa, Portugal

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-24

Abstract: Schools are vital infrastructures where students acquire essential skills and foster social values. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is of paramount importance in schools, given that students spend a considerable amount of time indoors. This study examines the influence of a natural green structure (NGS) on IAQ in an Eco-Campus classroom. The IAQ of a classroom with an NGS was compared to that of an adjacent classroom without an NGS. The thermal conditions were monitored, including air temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH), as well as indoor pollutants, including carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10 ). The findings indicated a substantial improvement in indoor air quality in the classroom where the green structure was installed. This study lends support to the incorporation of biophilic solutions as sustainable approaches to fostering healthier learning environments, which in turn can lead to improvements in student performance and well-being.

Keywords: sustainable education environment; biophilic solutions; indoor air quality in classrooms; student health; well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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