Performance Evaluation of Residential Architecture – Scope and Methods Applied in Two Case Studies Based in North England

Abstract

Aims, scope and methods applied in an EU funded research project Building Performance Evaluation for Sustainable Architecture (BuPESA) are presented. As a part of this research two residential developments based in North England have been chosen for an in-depth post occupancy evaluation (POE). POE evaluates building performance in order to learn how buildings function, how they are perceived and deliver better performing buildings. The physical performance of a building against its design targets is always first established to provide a baseline against which the effects of user behaviour can be measured in terms of energy use and carbon emissions. The BuPESA evaluation involves the use of industry recognised methods as well as development and testing of two new research tools: Usability and Social Learning Tool. These tools help to explore the dynamic relationship between building and its occupants. Research into such relationship confronts physical data with complex human responses to them. BuPESA also aims to develop an enhanced BPE Framework and Service which is transferable across the EU.33.The project started in March 2013 and the fieldwork is due to finish by the end of July 2014. Preliminary discussion of the approach taken is also presented.

Keywords: Post Occupancy Evaluation, Social Learning Tool, Usability, Case Study, Sustainable Architecture

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe100103