Resolving the influential parameters of thermal comfort perception amidst indoor-outdoor spatial transitions: Case study in a lecture room

Indoor to outdoor transitions have an undeniable impact on thermal perception of occupants and can impact their evaluation of a building. These aspects are often overlooked in thermal comfort standards. We address this gap using a mixed methods study, with students in undergraduate level classrooms acting as the participants. We try to identify the most influential factors on thermal comfort of students immediately following the transition. The thermal sensation vote of students immediately following the transition was affected not just by indoor temperature, but also by the outdoor thermal condition. The departure location of the participants did affect their initial thermal vote. For nearly 20 minutes post transition,
participants retain a thermal memory of their last exposure. These findings shed some light onto indoor-outdoor thermal transition and clarify aspects that need further investigation.