Students and educators spend significant time in learning spaces on university campuses. Energy efficiency has become a concern among facility managers, given the need to maintain acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ) levels during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper investigates the relationship between control and extraneous variables in a university classroom’s total mechanical ventilation (kWh). The model is built using Grasshopper software on Rhino Version 7. Our methodology encompasses (1) an extensive review of recent trends for studying IAQ and energy, (2) selecting parameters for simulation, (3) model configuration on Grasshopper, and finally, (4) a formulation of a pertinent equation to consolidate the relationship between the studied factors and the total mechanical ventilation energy (kWh). Central to this study are two key research questions: (1) What correlations exist between various parameters related to occupancy and IAQ in educational spaces? And (2) how can we optimize energy efficiency in university classrooms? The main contribution of this research is a generated equation representing the annual mechanical ventilation energy consumption based on selected parameters of classroom height, area, occupancy, window location, and ventilation rate of HVAC systems. We find that occupancy and class volume are the two most influential factors directly affecting mechanical ventilation energy consumption. The equation serves as a valuable estimation tool for facility managers, designers, and campus operations to investigate how fluctuations in occupancy can influence ventilation energy consumption in the physical attributes of a university classroom. This enables proactive decision-making, optimizing energy efficiency and resource allocation in real-time to promote sustainable and cost-effective campus operations.

This research proposes a 10-step methodology for developing an enhanced IAQ dashboard and classroom index (CI) in higher educational facilities located in arid environments. The identified parameters of the enhanced IAQ dashboard–inspired by the pandemic experience, result from the literature review and the outcome of two electronic surveys of (52) respondents, including health professionals and facility management experts. On the other hand, the indicators included in the CI are based on (80) occupant survey responses, including parameters related to IAQ, Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), and thermal comfort, amongst other classroom operative considerations. The CI is further tested in four learning spaces at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. The main contribution of this research is to suggest a conceptual visualization of the dashboard and a practical classroom index that integrates a representative number of contextual indicators to recommend optimal IAQ scenarios for a given educational facility. This study concludes by highlighting several key findings: (1) both qualitative and quantitative metrics are necessary to capture indoor air quality-related parameters accurately; (2) tailoring the dashboard as well as the CI to specific contexts enhances its applicability across diverse locations; and finally, (3) the IAQ dashboard and CI offer flexibility for ad-hoc applications.

Background: While the COVID-19 pandemic has officially ended, it remains a significant era that profoundly tests humanity’s ability to solve challenges across various domains related to health hazards’ crisis management, technological innovation, and requestioning the management of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in different building typologies. Methods: This study examines early publications related to IAQ during the early phase of the pandemic, from March 2020 to August 2021, to identify thematic research areas anticipated to shape the scientific community’s future interests for at least the following 10 years. This study proposes an analytical framework to further interpret the identified thematic areas of research related to IAQ based on intentionality and impact. Results: Topics included the spatial design of indoor environments, occupants’ health, thermal comfort, building performance and ventilation, technology use and energy efficiency, as well as health and social equity. The authors commented on key topics requiring immediate attention from architects, building operators, and researchers. Conclusions: This review foresees the need for (1) building codes that balance spatial design and health aspects to reduce the rate of viral transmission, (2) carbon footprint reduction plans in response to IAQ ventilation requirements, and (3) ventilation systems that consider the thermal comfort of occupants, minimize energy losses, and safeguard air quality from external pollutants. Finally, (4) find a balance between the identified parameters to enhance the IAQ system control.

'Correction to: Comparative Analysis of Carbon Footprints in Higher Education Institutions: What Can We Learn from University Campuses in Cairo, Beirut, and Cape Town?' published in 'Integrating Sustainability to Education, Business, and Environmental Energy Solutions'