Okorafor, C; Emuze, F; Das, D; Awuzie, B O and Haupt, T (2020) An artefact for improving the delivery of building energy retrofit project in South Africa. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 10(4), pp. 619-635. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose: The built environment is well known for carbon emission and its impact especially as it pertains to existing buildings. This has culminated in an increasing need for a retrofit of such buildings. This study details the development of an artefact for improving the delivery of energy retrofit projects therein to curb these impacts. Design/methodology/approach: The study utilized a mixed method research design for data collection. In achieving this, data was collected in three different phases; (1) a pilot study; (2) a juxtaposition of desktop case studies, live case studies, focus group discussion forum and an expert survey; and (3) a questionnaire survey for the validation of the emergent artefact. Accordingly, the quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative content analysis was deployed for qualitative data. Findings: The findings enabled an identification of the elements of a building energy retrofit project (BERP) such as project initiation, building assessment, detailed energy survey, technical analysis and implementation plans of energy measures, monitoring and verification. Also, it provided the challenges and enablers associated with successful BERP. This information was subsequently utilized in the development and validation of an artefact for delivering successful BERP. Summarily, a set of guidelines comprising of seven stages for managing successful BERPs were elucidated. Practical implications: The validated artefact provides an adaptive and innovative route for achieving sustainability in retrofit trade. Originality/value: The study conceptualizes an artefact for improving the delivery of BERPs.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | artefact; building; energy; retrofit; South Africa |
| Index terms: | South Africa, statistics, implementation, questionnaire, validation, built environment, artefact, monitoring, methodology, mixed method research, survey, content analysis, carbon emission, focus group, case study, building assessment |
| Subjects: | research methods, Geography, professional development, sociology, asset management, infrastructure and transport systems, data collection methods, mathematical modelling, climate science, control systems, data analysis and analytics, contractual arrangements |
| Topics: | Site Management, Urban Studies, Sustainability, Procurement, Information Management, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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