Brown, Z and Cole, R J (2009) Influence of occupants' knowledge on comfort expectations and behaviour. Building Research & Information, 37(3), pp. 227-245. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
What influence does 'knowledge' exert on occupant behaviour and comfort? What is the nature of the gap between the assumed and the actual behaviour of occupants in green buildings? To address these questions, two buildings - one conventional and the other green - located at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, Canada - are examined. Results from a comparative post-occupancy evaluation show that while the availability and use of personal controls was higher in the green building, the quality of personal control in terms of responsiveness, the absence of immediate and relevant feedback, and poor user comprehension may have led to sub-optimal comfort conditions. The findings suggest a desire on the part of users to learn more about how buildings work and comfort is provided, with a higher interest level in the green building over the conventionally designed. However, the relationship between knowledge, personal controls, and comfort was found to be more complex. While knowledge of the building was positively related to use of personal control in the green building, neither knowledge nor personal control use resulted in higher overall perceived comfort.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | behaviour; comfort; facilities management; green buildings; interactive adaptivity; knowledge; occupant satisfaction; post-occupancy evaluation |
| Index terms: | green building, comfort, occupant satisfaction, occupant behaviour, facilities management, Canada, personal control, post-occupancy evaluation |
| Subjects: | evaluation methods, user-centered design, health behaviours and lifestyles, occupational health and safety management, behavioral psychology, management, design practice, Geography |
| Topics: | Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Design Practice, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
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