Stevenson, F and Rijal, H B (2010) Developing occupancy feedback from a prototype to improve housing production. Building Research & Information, 38(5), pp. 549-563. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
An occupancy feedback strategy is proposed that takes account of the 'interactive adaptivity' that occurs between occupants and their physical home. This relationship is examined for how it affects building performance and resource use. Existing feedback methods are evaluated and several new variants introduced. Design assumptions about the usability of control interfaces were explored in relation to actual occupant behaviour. The evaluation of a single-prototype 'zero-carbon' house built as a demonstration and test site with periodic occupancy indicates the significance of understanding occupant behaviour at the design stage and communicating operational issues to occupants at the handover stage. Methods used cover fabric performance, initial information and training given to occupants, energy and water use, window-opening activity, thermal comfort, indoor air quality, functionality, and occupant behaviour. Each contributing method is discussed in terms of its findings, effectiveness, and relationship with other methods in the research design. Lessons are presented for the evaluation of prototype housing in relation to 'interactive adaptivity' and include the identification of critical control interfaces and an assessment of their usability. Improved housing performance will benefit from a comprehensive strategy embracing user expectations, perceptions, and interactions with building interfaces, alongside physical monitoring.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building performance evaluation methods; housing; low-carbon housing; occupancy feedback; occupant behaviour; prototype testing |
| Index terms: | design stage, thermal comfort, effectiveness, monitoring, indoor air quality, window, housing, building performance evaluation, occupant behaviour, testing, interaction, housing performance, functionality, research design, strategy, building performance, prototype, usability |
| Subjects: | user-centered design, research design and methodology, construction type, control systems, health behaviours and lifestyles, modelling and simulation, design features, economic analysis, professional practice, performance management, management, architectural elements, building performance, environmental engineering, quality assurance, behavioral psychology, environmental health |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Construction Technology, Sustainability, Design Practice, Quality Management, Site Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
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