Assessing the impacts of living moss panels on the quality of indoor classrooms

Project Details

Description

The nature of the learning environment has a direct impact on how well children learn at school. Studies show inadequate temperature control, air quality and acoustics have detrimental effects on children and teachers - on concentration, mood, well-being, attendance, and ultimately, attainment (Higgins et al., 2005). Providing the appropriate conditions in a classroom is not only important for learning attainment but needs to be done in such a way that limits energy consumption, thereby reducing bills and minimising CO2 emissions. As many schools are situated near busy roads, such conditions also need to be delivered in a way that limits the effects of pollution. In a post COVID 19 world, understanding the ingress of pollutants is especially important as the transmissibility of viruses is linked to particular pollutant types often found in urban environments (Harvard University, 2023).

Like living walls, moss walls create a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere to reduce stress, elevate moods, and improve concentration. Moss also provides an additional air filtration system, taking in pollutants while producing oxygen. Moss offers a cheaper alternative to other forms of living walls and do not require costly ongoing maintenance, regular plant replacement, or pesticides (Archdaily, 2019). However, the use of living moss walls (LMWs) as an alternative has not been explored in schools.

This project investigates the impacts of living moss walls in a classroom of an existing school. The analysis will be based on a parametric evaluation of the impact the LMWs could have on thermal and air quality characteristics of classrooms. Indoor temperature, humidity and VOCs as well as outdoor temperature and humidity will be monitored regularly. Particulate matter in the classrooms and immediately outside will be periodically monitored. Finally, schoolchildren’s views will be gathered regarding the impacts of the moss panels on their wellbeing.

Layperson's description

This is a TRIF 2023 Funded project. This project investigates the impacts of living moss wall on thermal and air quality characteristics of classrooms.
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date1/08/23 → 9/08/24

UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This project contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 13 - Climate Action

Keywords

  • Moss wall
  • School
  • Indoor air quality
  • Particular matter
  • classroom
  • children's wellbeing
  • Nature Based Solution

Fingerprint

Explore the research topics touched on by this project. These labels are generated based on the underlying awards/grants. Together they form a unique fingerprint.