Andreu, I C and Oreszczyn, T (2004) Architects need environmental feedback. Building Research & Information, 32(4), pp. 313-328. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
The role of environmental feedback within architects' offices is examined as a fundamental ingredient of sustainability. Three case study buildings are examined using a feedback exercise encompassing the whole building process from early key design decisions to occupation. Results show that sometimes design decisions are taken for aesthetic reasons without certainty on their environmental impact. Improvements are possible especially in energy consumption, glare, the usability of controls, the communication of strategies and comfort conditions. The architects report the feedback lessons relevant for their work. A systematic approach to project feedback is proposed with emphasis in feeding forward to new projects and recording decision-making. To close the information loop, briefs need explicitly to mention performance targets for energy use, management expectations, control requirements and to promote feedback itself.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building performance; comfort; energy consumption; environmental performance; feed-forward; feedback; post-occupancy evaluation; sustainability; usability |
| Index terms: | aesthetic, case study, energy use, post-occupancy evaluation, exercise, decision-making, architect, usability, environmental impact, building performance, strategy, environmental performance, design decision, occupation, energy consumption, comfort, building process, glare |
| Subjects: | quality assurance, occupational health and safety management, profession, building construction, energy systems, user-centered design, evaluation methods, management, design practice, environmental impact, sustainability assessment, building performance, sociology, decision analysis, data collection methods, health behaviours and lifestyles, factor and component analysis |
| Topics: | Health and Safety, Sustainability, Risk Management, Design Practice, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Quality Management, Site Management, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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