Enhancing Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort: A Comparison of Two Offices with and without Active Living Wall in UAE

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is complex, and the use of indoor planting and living walls presents potential solutions and enhancements for IAQ. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of Active Living Walls (ALWs) on IAQ parameters, and temperature in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Specifically focusing on two offices with similar dimensions at the UAEU male campus. Monitoring was conducted with and without ALWs, and with and without air conditioning (AC). The parameters CO2, PM10, PM2.5, and TVOCs were monitored using Air Mentor devices, while temperature and RH were monitored by HOBO sensors. Results show that there was a temperature reduction of 0.3°C to 1.0°C across various fan speeds. Additionally, ALWs improved IAQ by reducing PM10, PM2.5, and TVOC concentrations. ALWs promote sustainable building practices, improve human comfort, and further reduce the health effects of sick building syndromes (SBS). Further research should explore the long-term effects and scalability of ALWs to effectively address climate change challenges.