Thomsen, J; Berker, T; Lappegard Hauge, Å; Denizou, K; Wågø, S and Jerkø, S (2013) The interaction between building and users in passive and zero-energy housing and offices:The role of interfaces, knowledge and user commitment. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 2(1), pp. 43-59. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
The article's aim is to present user experiences with passive houses and zero-energy buildings. The focus is on the interaction between the building and the users, specifically on how user interfaces, knowledge, and commitment influence the use of the building and the level of energy consumption awareness. The study follows an explorative grounded theory approach. This approach generates insights that will be consolidated in follow-up studies. Qualitative interviews with users of six buildings were conducted. Site inspections applying walk-through method and other available information complement the data. Users in general were satisfied with having a new energy efficient building. Several respondents were more concerned about the environment now than before. However, there were concerns about thermal comfort. Misuse or misunderstandings among users in some cases led to lower indoor comfort. New or dissatisfactory design solutions were also responsible for unsatisfactory indoor environmental quality.Practical implications – Specific topics that should be paid more attention to in the design and research on new energy efficient buildings: level of end-user control and adaptability of the building; level of complexity of systems; the need for adequate information. The open approach enabled occupants to influence the parameters of the evaluations. Most evaluations of zero-energy buildings are not yet publicly accessible.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | buildings; energy; energy efficient buildings; indoor environment; passive houses; qualitative method; thermal comfort; user evaluations; zero-energy buildings |
| Index terms: | grounded theory, inspection, indoor environment, energy-efficient building, interaction, passive house, energy consumption, indoor environmental quality, comfort, thermal comfort, commitment, user interface, qualitative method, interview, housing, user experience, complexity, zero-energy building, adaptability |
| Subjects: | occupational health and safety management, behavioral psychology, environmental health, quality assurance, environmental engineering, systems engineering, human-computer interaction, theoretical framing, health safety and environment, sustainable design, sustainability and energy, psychology, environmental science, energy systems, research design and methodology, user focus, user-centered design, data collection methods, construction type |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Design Practice, Organizational Design, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Health and Safety, Sustainability, Construction Technology |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here