Measured and perceived outcomes associated with window replacement: Indoor environmental quality and occupant satisfaction in university architecture studios

This study examined measured and perceived outcomes associated with window replacement in university architecture studios. Pre- and post-retrofit indoor environmental quality (IEQ) monitoring was conducted in one selected studio, while a post-retrofit occupant survey was administered across similarly configured studios (N = 109). The most prominent between-period difference was an upward shift in CO 2 concentration: median CO 2 increased from 1420 to 2110 ppm, with concentrations already elevated during the pre-retrofit period. Mean PMV changed only slightly, from 0.19 to 0.23, with most observations remaining within the reference range in both periods. In the survey, IAQ, lighting, and thermal comfort satisfaction were positively associated with overall satisfaction, with IAQ showing the largest standardized coefficient. Open-ended comments described perceived benefits in acoustic comfort, thermal responsiveness, aesthetics, and operability, alongside concerns about air quality, daylight, reflectivity, and privacy. Considering that the monitoring campaigns occurred one year apart under different weather conditions, and operational factors were not systematically logged, the measured differences cannot be attributed solely to window replacement. Overall, favorable post-retrofit satisfaction coexisted with positive and negative perceptions across several IEQ-related attributes. Window-replacement evaluation should consider ventilation, glazing characteristics, operability, and visual conditions together.