Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within buildings, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.

Indoor pollution sources that release gasses or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the area. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants.

Some sources, such as building materials, furnishings and products like air fresheners, can release pollutants more or less continuously. Other sources, related to activities like smoking, or cleaning release pollutants intermittently.

The mechanical ventilation design of the HPI d-school Building includes 100% filtered outside air with no re-circulation component. This means that compared to conventional outside air systems, there is much less chance of the occupants breathing the same air twice.

In addition, carbon dioxide sensors are installed throughout the regularly occupied spaces in the building and connected to the HVAC control system. The sensors act as a proxy for indoor air quality, for increasing outside air ventilation automatically if needed and / or alerting the building manager should they pick up higher CO2 levels than expected.