The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of buildings can have a strong influence on occupants’ productivity and health. Post occupancy evaluation (POE) is the first step in assessing IEQ, and typically relies on subjective surveys of thermal quality, air quality, visual quality, and acoustic quality. However, the practice of conducting POE, from data collection during field studies to data coding, analyses and visualization, is very labor intensive. In addition, there is often a significant discrepancy between major IEQ standards and actual human perception. The Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics (CBPD) at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has expanded POE to include both objective IEQ measurements and records of the TABS that may affect indoor environment and user satisfaction. The suite of three tools including user satisfaction survey, technical attributes of building system and workstation IEQ measurements in the National Environmental Assessment Toolkit has been deployed in over 1600 workstations in 65 buildings, generating a rich database for statistical evaluation of the possible correlations between the physical attributes of workstations, measured environmental conditions, and user satisfaction. The database also supports a number of critical hypotheses relative to the complexity and depth of field data needed, the critical factors that must be collected, and the possibility that humans are indeed good sensors for many variables. The major statements that have been drawn from the research are as follows: (1) Because human health and performance outcomes are a result of an integration of indices, IEQ evaluation must include thermal, air, visual, and acoustic measures. (2) While POE with IEQ measurement is an ideal approach to assessing the full suite of environmental characteristics that impact human satisfaction, health and performance, field measurements are labor and cost intensive. (3) Building occupants can provide critical insights and even real measures of IEQ, and contribute to updating IEQ standards to reflect integrated realities. As such, this research revealed an integrated approach to POE +M by leveraging occupants as sensors to quickly capture IEQ conditions in a work environment. This approach can identify critical factors in the physical environment that impacts building occupant comfort and satisfaction. This approach provides practical IEQ assessment methods and procedures centered on the occupants’ perspective. The ultimate outcome of this research will contribute (1) correlations between occupant perception and measured data, (2) a refined survey method to assess building IEQ capable of robust prediction of building performance, and (3) metrics and guidelines for IEQ standards that capture new IEQ thresholds that impact building occupants’ comfort. The hypotheses tested in this thesis are summarized as follows: Hypothesis 1: Humans are effective sensors for POE+M. Combining occupant responses with key IEQ attributes can provide insight that is comparable to complex field instrumentation. Hypothesis 2: User satisfaction can inform design decisions. Comparing user satisfaction to instrumented IEQ measurements can inform acceptable thermal, air, visual, and acoustic design for occupant satisfaction. Hypothesis 3: Environmental thresholds are not adequate. Comparing user satisfaction to instrumented IEQ measurements can inform acceptable thermal, air, visual, and acoustic quality l conditions for occupant comfort. Multivariate regression, multiple correlation coefficient, and Pearson correlation statistical analysis of the database of 1600 workstations revealed the relationship between measured and perceived IEQ indices, interdependencies between IEQ indices and other satisfaction variables of significance. This research can contribute correlations between occupant perception and measured conditions, and metrics and guidelines for IEQ standards that capture new IEQ thresholds that impact building occupants’ comfort. The key findings of the IEQ data analysis are as follows: The result of the thermal quality revealed that smaller thermal zone, greater window quality, a level of control, measured air temperature at 60 cm from the floor, and radiant temperature asymmetry between exterior and interior walls are critical factors of temperature satisfaction. For air quality, operable windows, window quality, partition height, dedicated exhausts for printer and copy area, return air density are critical factors for overall air quality satisfaction. User satisfaction of the visual quality showed that seated view in the workstation is the most critical factor for user’s overall visual quality satisfaction. In addition, better ceiling fixture, ceiling lens type, window type and managing illuminance level on the work surface are important. Lastly, to ensure the acoustic quality satisfaction in both background noise and frequency from distraction from other people, bigger workstation, more partition sides, higher partitions and management of distributed noise source are critical for user comfort and perceived productivity. Overall, this thesis identified opportunities to improve the process of IEQ assessment by engaging occupants in POE, and define critical indicators for building occupant satisfaction. The results will contribute to the ongoing database of engaging humans as IEQ sensors. In the future, the findings and framework described here may be applied in different aspects of the building delivery process, such as building life cycle evaluation, building design, and the construction stage, to improve occupants’ thermal, air, visual, and acoustic conditions in the building.

A Casa dos Sonhos, objeto desta pesquisa, é uma casa ideal. Ao longo do seu ciclo de vida, cada pessoa vai construindo sua própria experiência humana, seus valores e seus símbolos, a partir dos conhecimentos que ela própria vai selecionando para si, de tudo aquilo que o universo lhe oferece. Ao longo da vida, no seu dia-a-dia, as pessoas vão experimentando necessidades, que geram anseios e aspirações. Desse complexo sistema de símbolos, valores, anseios, aspirações e necessidades começa a surgir a idealização de espaços adequados para a realização de cada uma das atividades cotidianas. São aspirações nem sempre bem definidas, independentes umas das outras, às vezes inconciliáveis. Empreender a produção de uma casa sob medida é, sem dúvida, uma tarefa extremamente complexa. Ainda que muitos se resignem a adquirir pronta a sua casa própria, porquê cada ser humano parece sempre desejar criar a sua própria casa, sob medida para seus valores, suas aspirações e suas necessidades? Utilizando meios e métodos da Avaliação Pós-Ocupação (APO) do Ambiente Construído, que considera fundamentalmente o ponto de vista dos usuários, esta pesquisa investiga as motivações e o processo de produção de uma residência idealizada, planejada e realizada por uma família, sob medida para as suas necessidades, as suas aspirações, os seus valores e os seus símbolos. Este trabalho se fundamenta em entrevistas realizadas com membros de trinta famílias que produziram a sua Casa dos Sonhos, em Alphaville, um complexo residencial, empresarial e comercial situado na Região Metropolitana da Capital do Estado de São Paulo. / The Dream Home that is the purpose of this research is an ideal house. Through the human life cycle, every human being builds its own human experience, values, and symbols from the achievements that each one selects from everything the universe offers. Along their life, through the day-by-day activities, people experience and realize needs that generate expectations and desires. From this complex set of symbols values and needs emerges the idealization of adequate space to perform each one of the day-by-day activities. Most of the time, these needs are not quite clear and works independently and also frequently are not compatible. Entrepreneurs a tailor made home is a very complex task. Although most of the people have to acquire shelf houses, why everyone desires to create their own tailor made dream houses that reach their values, symbols, expectations and needs? Where comes this desire for a personalized home from? Using methods and techniques of Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE), which considers fundamentally users point of view, this research investigates motivation and the production process of an idealized, planned and built house by a family, intending to fulfill their needs, desires, values and symbols. This work is based on research and interviews with 30 families that have built their own dream home in Alphaville, a residential complex located on the suburban area of the city of São Paulo - Brazil.

A Casa dos Sonhos, objeto desta pesquisa, é uma casa ideal. Ao longo do seu ciclo de vida, cada pessoa vai construindo sua própria experiência humana, seus valores e seus símbolos, a partir dos conhecimentos que ela própria vai selecionando para si, de tudo aquilo que o universo lhe oferece. Ao longo da vida, no seu dia-a-dia, as pessoas vão experimentando necessidades, que geram anseios e aspirações. Desse complexo sistema de símbolos, valores, anseios, aspirações e necessidades começa a surgir a idealização de espaços adequados para a realização de cada uma das atividades cotidianas. São aspirações nem sempre bem definidas, independentes umas das outras, às vezes inconciliáveis. Empreender a produção de uma casa sob medida é, sem dúvida, uma tarefa extremamente complexa. Ainda que muitos se resignem a adquirir pronta a sua casa própria, porquê cada ser humano parece sempre desejar criar a sua própria casa, sob medida para seus valores, suas aspirações e suas necessidades? Utilizando meios e métodos da Avaliação Pós-Ocupação (APO) do Ambiente Construído, que considera fundamentalmente o ponto de vista dos usuários, esta pesquisa investiga as motivações e o processo de produção de uma residência idealizada, planejada e realizada por uma família, sob medida para as suas necessidades, as suas aspirações, os seus valores e os seus símbolos. Este trabalho se fundamenta em entrevistas realizadas com membros de trinta famílias que produziram a sua Casa dos Sonhos, em Alphaville, um complexo residencial, empresarial e comercial situado na Região Metropolitana da Capital do Estado de São Paulo. / The Dream Home that is the purpose of this research is an ideal house. Through the human life cycle, every human being builds its own human experience, values, and symbols from the achievements that each one selects from everything the universe offers. Along their life, through the day-by-day activities, people experience and realize needs that generate expectations and desires. From this complex set of symbols values and needs emerges the idealization of adequate space to perform each one of the day-by-day activities. Most of the time, these needs are not quite clear and works independently and also frequently are not compatible. Entrepreneurs a tailor made home is a very complex task. Although most of the people have to acquire shelf houses, why everyone desires to create their own tailor made dream houses that reach their values, symbols, expectations and needs? Where comes this desire for a personalized home from? Using methods and techniques of Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE), which considers fundamentally users point of view, this research investigates motivation and the production process of an idealized, planned and built house by a family, intending to fulfill their needs, desires, values and symbols. This work is based on research and interviews with 30 families that have built their own dream home in Alphaville, a residential complex located on the suburban area of the city of São Paulo - Brazil.

The newly built Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas was designed with an understanding of the healing power of nature. A perspective randomized design with pre-post measures Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) was conducted to test whether the hospital’s Healing Garden had an effect on the stress levels of parents of pediatric hospital patients. Participants were asked to sit and relax in the Healing Garden for ten-minutes. Two differing interior spaces, one with views to nature and one without views to nature, were tested as comparisons. Data was collected in the form of surveys and behavioral observation. Results indicate that the Healing Garden reduced the stress of parents at a greater rate than the two interior spaces included in the study. However, the two interior spaces did not differ in their stress reducing effects despite one having views to nature. Comments from parents indicated a slight stress relieving effect by simply leaving their patient’s room. These research findings should be used to encourage parents and other adult family members to use the hospital’s gardens to reduce stress felt from their patient’s medical treatment. Further studies need to be conducted to provide more conclusive data.

The newly built Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas was designed with an understanding of the healing power of nature. A perspective randomized design with pre-post measures Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) was conducted to test whether the hospital’s Healing Garden had an effect on the stress levels of parents of pediatric hospital patients. Participants were asked to sit and relax in the Healing Garden for ten-minutes. Two differing interior spaces, one with views to nature and one without views to nature, were tested as comparisons. Data was collected in the form of surveys and behavioral observation. Results indicate that the Healing Garden reduced the stress of parents at a greater rate than the two interior spaces included in the study. However, the two interior spaces did not differ in their stress reducing effects despite one having views to nature. Comments from parents indicated a slight stress relieving effect by simply leaving their patient’s room. These research findings should be used to encourage parents and other adult family members to use the hospital’s gardens to reduce stress felt from their patient’s medical treatment. Further studies need to be conducted to provide more conclusive data.

This PhD research project has examined four newly built secondary schools in Leicester, England that were procured through the UK Government’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme (2003-2010). The research strategy has adopted a mixed-methods approach using a range of quantitative and qualitative data. The principle aim was to establish a theoretical framework for Sustainable Development which could then help to shape the analysis. Five specific dimensions were identified as a result of an extensive literature review (Education [A], Community [B], Environment [C], Technology [D] and Economics [E]). It was also important to consider the dynamic nature of a school in relation to the study’s overarching question; ‘Sustainable Schools; Beyond Measure?’ In this regard, a “systems” approach was selected, which in turn led to the identification of three further levels of analysis (Inputs [1], Processes [2] and Outcomes [3]). Five objectives were then identified, helping to instruct the direction of the research activities. Firstly, the BSF procurement mechanism had to identify a private sector partner to rebuild the 16 secondary schools in Leicester over a 10 year period. This was time consuming and did not include energy efficiency as part of the selection process. Secondly, the commissioning of the four phase one buildings prior to occupancy was not sufficiently thorough. As a result, multiple operational problems were encountered post-occupancy by the Facility Management (FM) Provider. Thirdly, when the utility data was examined, the schools were not performing efficiently around their schedule of activities. When the Building Management Systems (BMS) were subsequently re-commissioned, timer settings were adjusted, resulting in substantial carbon and energy savings. Fourthly, when the staff completed an occupancy satisfaction survey, the results identified numerous comfort problems which could be linked to the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (HVAC). Finally, when the researcher looked back at the past 10 years of educational statistics (2002-2012), it was clear how attainment, based on GCSE results, had dramatically improved following the move into the new buildings in September 2009. In order to draw out new insights from this wide spectrum of data, a matrix was developed, helping to organise the information in a systematic way. More generally, it is hoped this approach will promote a more intricate understanding about the way Sustainable Development can be integrated into future procurement mechanisms, building regulations and education policy.

The proponents of New Urbanism claim the neighborhoods they design, called Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TNDs), promote community, sense of place, physical health, and environmental sustainability. Critics assert that community is stressed at the expense of individuality, that design unity has become rigid uniformity, and that the neighborhoods are orchestrated and do not reflect real life. This thesis, a post occupancy evaluation (POE), examines how one TND works for its residents and whether it accomplishes the goals of the architect/planner. An additional, essential purpose of this POE is to serve the "feed-forward" role of informing future neighborhood planning projects. The Village of River Ranch in Lafayette, Louisiana is the site of my research. Utilization of multiple research methods (survey, interviews, naturalistic observations) offered opportunities for triangulation and the ability to produce a more comprehensive analysis.

Thesis (M.Arch. (Research))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, 2012. / Abstract: The on-campus learning environment often falls far short of the expectations of architecture students. One reason is that these students are seldom given a voice in how their schools are designed, or how the facilities are managed. This study tested the use of Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE), and Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) as a strategic method of addressing this shortcoming. To do this research, a POE questionnaire was developed, based on the theoretical underpinnings of good design of places for adult learning, questionnaire design, POE, and IPA. After implementation of the questionnaire at four South African schools of architecture, the collected data were processed using standard spreadsheet software. Once the results were presented in an IPA matrix format, it was clear that there are several commonalities in the needs and desires of architecture students from the different schools. Some requirements, such as that for well-equipped computer laboratories were not surprising. Others, such as a universal need for quiet, separate spaces in which to work; and outdoor places where they can gather to work or ‘chill’ away from their studios and classrooms were less expected outcomes. The typically poor quality of indoor environmental conditions was exposed as one of the main reasons why architecture students now often prefer to make use of alternative, off-campus ways of working, and of communicating with each other and with their teachers. The implication of these findings is that by combining POE and IPA, it is possible to identify and monitor the attributes that are necessary for a satisfactory on-campus learning environment. Where shortcomings are identified with POE, strategic responses can easily be devised using IPA. The dissertation is concluded with suggestions for future applications of the proposed questionnaire and data analysis method, to enable benchmarking at schools of architecture and improve the on-campus environment of students of architecture.

Projetado no início da década de 50 do século XX por Oscar Niemeyer o edifício COPAN surgiu num momento de profundas transformações em São Paulo. A economia da capital paulistana se fortalecia aquecendo o mercado imobiliário e ocasionando uma verdadeira ?febre construtiva? na cidade. Maior edifício residencial da América Latina, com 116.152m² de área construída, o COPAN, situado no centro de São Paulo, era um monumento aos novos paradigmas adotados nos anos 50 na cidade: gigantismo, verticalização, adensamento populacional, dentre outros. Utilizando-se dos métodos e das técnicas da Avaliação Pós-Ocupação (APO), esta dissertação tem como objetivo aferir o desempenho do edifício nas questões de conforto ambiental, desempenho funcional dos apartamentos e das áreas comuns, acessibilidade para pessoas com dificuldades de locomoção e visão e segurança contra incêndio, tanto do ponto de vista dos especialistas, bem como do ponto de vista dos usuários. Com base em diagnósticos elaborados para cada item pesquisado, são feitas recomendações, sempre que possível, visando atender às exigências atuais de desempenho constantes em Normas, as determinações de Código de Obras, além de proposições voltadas à melhoria da qualidade de vida neste edifício, sempre que pertinente. A pesquisa inclui ainda, para fundamentar os diagnósticos e as recomendações da APO, um estudo voltado à compreensão da gestão do processo de projeto, desde sua concepção. / Designed by Oscar Niemeyer in the early 1950s, the Copan Building in Downtown São Paulo, Brazil, was erected during a period when sweeping changes were taking place in the city. The local economy was strengthened by the growing real-estate market and was bringing about a veritable \"rage of construction.\" The Copan is the tallest residential building in Latin America, having 116,152m² of constructed area, and it was a monument to the new architectural paradigms being adopted in São Paulo in the 1950s, including gigantism, verticalization and demographic densification. Using methods and techniques of the Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE), this dissertation is aimed at appraising the building\'s performance in the areas of environmental comfort, functional performance of the apartments and common areas, access for persons with difficulties in locomotion and sight, and fire safety, all from the points of view of both specialists and users. Whenever possible and pertinent, and based on the diagnoses drawn up, recommendations are made for each item geared to the demands expressed in today\'s laws and regulations, including the São Paulo Building Code. Proposals are also presented for improving the quality of living in this building. To back up the diagnoses and recommendations in the POE, the dissertation also includes a study aimed at obtaining a better understanding of the management of the designing process, right from its very conception.

Nas últimas décadas, a qualidade dos empreendimentos de habitação de interesse social (EHIS) vem sendo muito discutida por pesquisadores brasileiros em virtude dos diversos problemas de ordem técnica e funcional relatados por seus moradores após a ocupação. Para identificar esses problemas e suas causas, utiliza-se de processos de avaliação pós-ocupação (APO), que têm mostrado, ao longo dos anos, a insatisfação dos moradores com diversos aspectos das construções e a consequente realização de modificações na casa, muitas vezes sem qualidade, comprometendo ainda mais o seu estado. Visando à melhoria da qualidade dessas modificações, é possível adotar alguns procedimentos. Entretanto, ainda há um grande desconhecimento dos profissionais em relação ao que ocorre no ambiente construído no decorrer do uso, sendo ainda necessário aprofundar os estudos nesse sentido. Assim, a pesquisa aqui apresentada tem como objetivo identificar as principais modificações realizadas pelos moradores de empreendimentos horizontais de HIS, suas causas e possíveis mecanismos para diminuir, controlar ou planejar essas alterações. Para o desenvolvimento do estudo proposto, foram realizadas pesquisas bibliográficas e avaliações pós-ocupação em três empreendimentos de HIS. Assim, analisando as experiências passadas e presentes, foi possível gerar conteúdo suficiente para embasar propostas de melhorias nos programas habitacionais voltados a HIS. / In recent decades, the quality of the housing projects of social interest has been largely discussed by Brazilian researchers due to several technical and functional matters reported by dwellers after occupation. To identify these problems and their causes, post-occupancy evaluation processes are applied, which have shown over the years, a lot of dissatisfaction with various aspects of constructions, resulting in house modifications, oftenly without quality, further compromising their state. In order to improve the quality of these changes, it is possible to adopt some procedures. However, there is still a great lack of knowhow from professionals about what happens in the built environment during its use, them, being still necessary to sharpen the studies in this direction. Thus, the post-occupancy evaluation research presented here aims at identifying the main changes made by the dwellers of horizontal housing enterprises, its causes and possible mechanisms to reduce, control or plan these changes. For the development of the proposed study literature research was conducted and post-occupancy evaluations was made in three housing enterprises. Thus, making an analysis of past and present experiences, it was possible to generate enough content to support proposals for improvements in housing programs.