How Zuyd University turned room use and air quality into measurable facts
Zuyd University of Applied Sciences digitised its long-running occupancy measurements and expanded them with CO₂ monitoring using the Sensor Connected Workplace. This gave the university an objective view of room use, air quality, and how its buildings were actually functioning during and after the COVID-19 period.
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How Zuyd University turned room use and air quality into measurable facts
Zuyd University of Applied Sciences has been measuring the use of education rooms since around 2006 to understand whether buildings were genuinely too small or only perceived as such. Over time, the university partnered with Measuremen. Initially, we provided reporting and analysis support; later on, we helped them professionalize their measurement process.
In 2021, Zuyd University expanded its approach to include CO₂ monitoring. This was partly due to COVID-19 concerns, but also to make data on air quality objective, allowing for a fair comparison between older and newer buildings.
The challenge: Uncertainty about actual room use and rising CO₂ concerns
For years, Zuyd University operated in a cloud of uncertainty; rooms looked occupied on paper, but the reality was often very different. Many spaces were assumed to be occupied simply because they appeared on the schedule. With several academies sharing the same buildings, this quickly created the perception that the facilities were too small.
For years, the university relied on manual checks to understand what was happening. Students or staff walked through buildings to see whether rooms were in use and how many people were present. The manual process worked, but it was slow, labour-intensive, and left plenty of room for doubt.
COVID-19 introduced a new concern: air quality. Older buildings, in particular, raised questions about CO₂ levels and ventilation. Zuyd needed a way to verify these concerns without constant on-site visits.
At the same time, they wanted to understand:
Whether ventilation issues could be resolved by simple actions
Which rooms might require technical adjustments
Which rooms should potentially not be scheduled at all
Overall, Zuyd needed objective data on both occupancy and CO₂, and a system that could replace assumptions with facts.
The solution: A workplace sensor pilot for objective, real-time insights
In March 2021, Zuyd University launched a sensor pilot at the Brusselseweg building in Maastricht. This location had received the most complaints, making it the clearest starting point for testing a new approach.
To understand both occupancy and CO₂ levels objectively, sensors were installed in the education rooms with the highest number of complaints:
200 occupancy sensors
50 CO₂ sensors
The system continuously monitored these rooms in real-time. When CO₂ values exceeded the thresholds, a notification appeared. A technical employee would then check the room to see whether it was occupied and whether windows or doors were open.
Education room at Brusselseweg location
Zuyd deliberately chose occupancy sensors rather than more static utilisation systems, as they wanted a flexible setup that could be moved easily across locations. The university’s goal was to measure specific buildings for a defined period and then redeploy the equipment elsewhere.
Measuremen’s sensor-based system supported this approach. It allowed Zuyd to measure only where needed, without installing cameras or requiring power or data connections above each door.
It also provided additional context: by comparing CO₂ values with the timetable and known attendance patterns, Measuremen helped Zuyd understand room use more accurately without relying on utilisation sensors.
A live dashboard brought the data to life, revealing patterns and unexpected insights about how spaces were truly used.
The pilot ran for two education blocks of ten weeks. Afterwards, the sensors were moved to the Autonomous Fine Arts (AFA) building in Maastricht, where renovation was planned, allowing Zuyd to repeat the process in a completely different type of education environment.
The impact: Reliable data to improve room scheduling, air quality, and facility planning
The Sensor Connected Workplace helped Zuyd University:
Objectify air quality concerns by providing actual CO₂ values instead of relying on perceptions.
Understand occupancy more accurately, even during periods with reduced presence due to COVID-19.
Determine when simple ventilation measures were sufficient and when technical adjustments might be needed.
Identify rooms that might not be suitable for scheduling.
Prepare for renovation or new construction with real, location-specific data.
Gain insight into differences between types of education spaces, such as language-focused rooms versus art-focused environments.
The Sensor Connected Workplace allowed Zuyd University to replace assumptions with evidence, helping the university understand where issues truly lay, and where simple solutions were enough. By combining occupancy and CO₂ insights, Zuyd now has the clarity it needs to improve its rooms, protect air quality, and plan future facilities with confidence. Ultimately, this approach empowers Zuyd to create healthier, more effective learning environments for its students.
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