Optimization of indoor environment quality for hypermarket workers: from subjective response to objective design criteria

Thermal, acoustical, visual, and air quality conditions were investigated through both subjective and objective measures carried out in a hypermarket in Southern Italy. Different statistical techniques were used to point out the relations existing between subjective factors and global perception of IEQ. To derive practical guidelines to optimize IEQ conditions, the correlations between subjective ratings pertaining to different IEQ factors and the corresponding objective descriptors were found. Finally, combining above results with weights obtained from multiple regression showed that controlling IEQ by acting on single parameters would require unrealistic set-points. Conversely, the highest IEQ ratings can only be obtained by simultaneously optimizing the different attributes.