Green office environments linked with higher cognitive function scores

We spend about 90% of our lives indoors, and the spaces we occupy can either boost or hinder our health and performance. With the rise of sustainable design and green building strategies, researchers have begun asking: Which indoor factors truly optimize well-being and productivity?

To find out, scientists simulated indoor environmental quality (IEQ) conditions typical of “Conventional” and “Green” office buildings—and measured their impact on a critical metric: higher-order cognitive function.

The findings were striking:

• Cognitive scores were 61% higher on Green building conditions

• 101% higher on Green+ conditions compared to Conventional conditions
Both VOCs and CO₂ were independently linked to cognitive performance.

The bottom line: Cleaner air and smarter ventilation aren’t just sustainability goals—they’re performance multipliers which is why Healthy Indoors find this study so important.