Pre-occupation evaluation of perceived indoor environmental quality with a BIM-integrated single-score assessment

• Five domains of indoor environmental quality were evaluated during mental work. • Method for single-score index of perceived indoor quality P-IEQ INDEX was developed. • Algorithm for P-IEQ INDEX was integrated in BIM tool for dynamic simulations. • Correlation between improved IEQ and increased building energy efficiency is shown. Sustainable buildings must achieve high energy efficiency while providing occupants with optimal indoor environmental conditions for living and working. Accomplishing these complex objectives requires that building functionalities are assessed by planners simultaneously across all design phases. This article presents a method for the integral assessment of perceived indoor environmental quality (IEQ), coupled with dynamic modelling, as part of the Building Information Modelling (BIM) process. The study includes: i) models for ranking perceived IEQ scores across five assessment domains, based on responses from test subjects performing cognitive tasks, ii) weighting factors for each domain, determined using an entropy method, along with an algorithm to calculate a integral single-score perceived indoor environmental quality metric, termed P-IEQ INDEX , iii) integration of P-IEQ INDEX algorithm into a BIM tool, implemented as a macro using visual programming, iv) a case study with dynamic modelling, demonstrating the positive correlation between P-IEQ INDEX , smart building controls, and energy efficiency measures. This approach enables designers to make data-driven decisions that enhance occupant comfort and performance while optimizing energy efficiency throughout the building’s lifecycle.