Post-Occupancy Evaluation of State Schools in 5 Climatic Zones of Chile

This paper presents the results of a study, commissioned by the Chilean Ministry of Education and UNESCO, of hygro-thermal comfort, visual comfort, acoustics and indoor air quality, as experienced in selected classrooms of 8 state schools located in distinct climatic zones in Chile. Using a post-occupancy evaluation methodology developed by the authors, 14 classrooms were evaluated with visual analysis, questionnaires and insitu measurements over a 5 day period. Although limited in its duration, the study clearly highlighted deficits in each of the areas of study; these included unacceptable sound pollution arising from transport; overheating due to excessive solar gain; insufficient heating and poorly insulated building fabric; poor indoor air quality; and poor day and electric lighting.