Renovation of a "sick building": the challenge of attaining the confidence of occupants.
BACKGROUND
This case study focused on the renovation of a building with severe mold and HVAC problems. The users did not trust the success of the planned remedies, and the situation became conflict-prone. The aims of the study were to improve communication and cooperation between experts participating in the renovation process and the future users of the building and monitor the success of the remedies.


METHODS
An intervention was implemented with the aim of making the renovation easily understood by the future users of the building and preventing the escalation of unnecessary concern among them. The follow-up methods comprised a questionnaire study, technical inspections, quality measurements of the indoor air, structural follow-up measurements, and interviews of key persons.


RESULTS
The renovation itself seems to have been successful, and the model to improve communication and cooperation appears to be a promising one. The confidence of the future users was attained, and the relocation took place as planned.


CONCLUSIONS
In order to succeed in the renovation of a "sick building," both technical expertise and investment in information and communication are needed.
Lahtinen
Marjaana
M
Good Indoor Environment Theme, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland. marjaana.lahtinen@ttl.fi
Salonen
Heidi
H
Lappalainen
Sanna
S
Huttunen
Jukka
J
Reijula
Kari
K
D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003142:Communication; D003256:Community Participation / Q000379:methods*; D034742:Electronic Mail / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005160:Facility Design and Construction / Q000379:methods*; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012574:Schools / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018877:Sick Building Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires