If Green Walls Could Talk: Interpreting Building Sustainability Through Atmospheric Cues

Erin M. Hamilton () and Rachael Shields
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Erin M. Hamilton: Design Studies Department, School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
Rachael Shields: Design Studies Department, School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-22

Abstract: Architectural design influences both environmental outcomes and occupant behaviors. Green buildings convey environmental responsibility through formal (e.g., signage, tours) and informal means, including natural materials, daylighting, and energy-efficient features. These choices contribute to overall building “atmospherics” that can foster occupant awareness of sustainability. To explore how atmospherics contribute to occupant perception of building sustainability, we surveyed (n = 250) and interviewed (n = 16) occupants of two LEED-certified university buildings—the Green Building and the Green and Biophilic Building—focusing on their awareness of sustainable features and sources of this awareness. The results showed that occupants of the Green and Biophilic Building were significantly more likely to recognize its sustainable features. The diversity and frequency of features identified varied significantly between buildings, with the broader range in the Green and Biophilic Building. Content analysis revealed occupant misconceptions about the sustainability of features like automatic toilets, aesthetic elements, and biophilic patterns, with some assumptions based solely on appearance. These findings highlight how occupants develop green building awareness without formal instruction, underscoring the value of visible design elements in fostering engagement. This study offers practical recommendations for architects and designers to enhance green messaging through non-verbal cues and interpretative educational features.

Keywords: architecture; biophilic design; green building; green building awareness; leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED); post-occupancy evaluation; atmospherics (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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