The “Comfortcube”—Integral Data Collection of an Extended Room Climate

The current approach to evaluating indoor room comfort often focuses solely on thermal parameters, with temperature being the primary indicator. Thereby, temperature is used as a synonym for indoor climate comfort. In the context of the ‘comfortcube’ research project, we introduce a novel measuring and display instrument prototype. Departing from conventional methods, this instrument integrates existing sensors to capture and assess a more comprehensive array of room comfort climate parameters, extending beyond mere thermal considerations. Diverging from traditional comfort measurement devices, the ‘comfortcube’ facilitates the integral recording and evaluation of multiple room comfort climate parameters simultaneously. This inclusive approach encompasses variables such as illuminance and air quality, providing a holistic perspective on indoor comfort. By allowing users to directly evaluate these parameters, we aim to predict the percentage of dissatisfied individuals based on prevailing structural and human conditions. An associated application linked to the measuring instrument empowers individual users to actively participate in optimizing the building environment in a controlled manner. The overarching goal is to guide users and mitigate potential incorrect or counterproductive behaviors associated with comfort. Ultimately, the research project aspires to furnish predictive recommendations for action, drawing from real-time measurements, historical data, and a diverse set of internal and external sources.