The Building Research Establishment (BRE) released the results of analysing more than 70 research studies and documents in its paper, Health and Productivity Benefits of Sustainable Schools. Here are examples of just three conclusive research findings:
In tests, cognitive function was 15% worse with CO2 at around 945ppm than it was in fresh outdoor-fed air, and 50% worse when CO2 reached concentrations of 1,400ppm.
‘Daylighting in Schools’, a study by the Heschong Mahone Group, demonstrated a 25% improvement on test scores in daylit classrooms over classrooms with the least daylight.
The Alberta Department of Education analysed 21,000 students’ results and discovered that sunlit classrooms resulted in students performing 20% faster in maths tests and 26% faster in reading tests.
You can obtain copies of this from the BRE.
There are also education sector case studies from NARM members in the current April/May issue of DAYLIGHTING Magazine.
