Evaluating Thermal Adaptation in Informal UK University Study Spaces: The Role of Climate Background in Perceived Comfort

This study evaluates thermal adaptation in informal study spaces in UK higher education (HE) buildings, investigating the role of occupants’ climate background in shaping perceived comfort. As library buildings provide a good example of an informal study space, this study was conducted in the Sydney Jones Library at the University of Liverpool. The research investigated how changes in climate history may affect thermal satisfaction in a multifunctional informal study space. The study involved recording temperature and relative humidity data in a computer room over a period of 1 year and assessing environmental conditions using an online survey. Statistical analysis showed that participants’ climate background did not affect their thermal sensation, preference or comfort results but did affect their clothing levels. It was observed that the clothing levels of participants from warmer and cooler climate backgrounds were different from those from climates similar to the Liverpool. This situation can be explained as an example of occupant behaviour to adapt to different climate conditions. The results showed that most participants rated the environment as cool and would have liked to feel warmer, suggesting that the current temperature settings should be reviewed. These temperature settings were determined according to current standards but did not meet the expectations of the occupants. Updating the current standards may therefore have implications for improving occupant comfort and saving energy across the HE building stock. This study recommends the implementation of flexible temperature control systems to increase occupant comfort and optimize energy use in university study spaces.