Denise A. Guerin

Indoor Environmental Quality Related to Occupant Satisfaction and Performance in LEED-certified Buildings

The purpose of this study was to identify whether the indoor environmental quality design criteria: office layout, office furnishing, thermal comfort, indoor air quality, lighting, acoustics, and cleanliness and maintenance in relation to the overall workspace for LEED®-acreditation, could significantly affect occupants’ perception of their overall workspace satisfaction and their work performances. Occupants’ self-assessed satisfaction and performances were measured and these were correlated with occupants’ satisfaction and performances in their overall workspaces in 15 LEED-certified buildings in the US. The findings showed office furnishing quality has a significant impact on occupants’ satisfaction and performances; and indoor air quality affected only the occupants’ performances

Occupant Predictors of Household Energy Behavior and Consumption Change as Found in Energy Studies Since 1975

Reported research since 1975 on human behavior and energy consumption was reviewed to identify occupant predictors of household energy-consumption behavior and energy-consumption change. The results of this review were framed against a human ecosystem theory model. Occupant predictors of reduced energy-consumption behavior and energy-consumption change were classified as occupant characteristics, occupant attitudes, and occupant actions. Variables identified in studies that most frequently affected energy behavior and energy consumption were income, age, education, home ownership, desire for comfort, major weatherization, and incentives. These findings support the underlying premise of the human ecosystem theory: Variables from the natural, the social, and the designed environments and human organism variables interact to affect energy consumption.

Using research to inform design solutions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide information for facility managers, building owners, and designers to increase their knowledge of research vocabulary and methods. Using evidence‐based design criteria to add value to the workplace via facility management and design, and determine how to apply evidence‐based design criteria using the searchable database of InformeDesign® are presented and discussed.Design/methodology/approach – This is a descriptive paper developed from literature related to research strategies and referenced sources about using research in the design process.Findings – The paper provides a brief tutorial on research strategies for those readers who do not have a background in research strategies. Additionally, research summaries (RS) from InformeDesign are used to show how research can be integrated into the design process.Research limitations/implications – The information contained in this paper is an overview of research processes and uses only one source for readers to...

Residential energy consumption: 1987 to 1997

The purpose of this study was to examine energy-conserving practices and consumption from 1987 to 1997 using a human ecosystem framework. Research on energy consumption and practices at the household level has been minimal in recent years. Factors that influence household energy consumption were examined, including climate, demographic characteristics of the households, housing characteristics including weatherization features and appliances, and occupant behaviors. This study was a secondary analysis of data compiled by the Energy Information Administration from the 1987, 1990, 1993, and 1997 Residential Energy Consumption Surveys and included only owner-occupied, single-family detached residences. Based on multiple regression analyses, more than 30% of the household energy consumption was accounted for by the variables representing the environments of the human ecosystem.

Environmental Cues: Their Influence within Assisted Living Facilities.

OBJECTIVE: This observational study examined the relationship between the number of environmental sensory cues within assisted living facilities (ALFs) and the number of falls by residents, using Lawtons environmental press theory as framework. BACKGROUND: A result of declining physical health is unintentional injury, for example, falling, which is one of the leading causes of death for older adults. Physical limitations increase largely due to age-related physical and sensory decline, which can increase the risk of people falling. Therefore, fall prevention becomes essential (Willis, 2000). METHODS: On-site interviews were scheduled with 140 ALF directors located in the lower peninsula of Michigan. The researchers collected physical environmental data using a sensory cue checklist on a subset of rooms, for example, Lounge/Living Room, Dining Room, Corridor, Public Restroom, and Foyers in ALFs, because of the prevalence of falls within these rooms. RESULTS: Findings showed that fall rates and environmental cues sometimes have a negative correlation. A positive correlation was found between the number of residents living in an ALF and the mean number of cues included in the overall environment. Finally, there were a greater number of environmental cues incorporated when design professionals were involved. CONCLUSIONS: The need to control for facility size and for some room types when relating environmental cues to falls became clear. In addition, design professionals should have a thorough understanding of the nature of the facility and the need to control some factors in facilities, especially when including environmental cues.

Interior Design Research: A Human Ecosystem Model

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a human ecosystem integrative model for use as a research framework for interior design. The model is an adaptation of models developed by Morrison (1974), Doxiadis (1975), and Bubolz, Eicher, and Sontag (1979). The model is shown using two different examples, interior lighting and household energy consumption change, as the constructs of interest related to interior design. Discussion of application to interior design is included.

Occupants' satisfaction with, and physical readings of, thermal, acoustic, and lighting conditions of sustainable office workspaces

The purpose of this study was to investigate indoor environmental quality (IEQ) components of thermal, acoustic, and lighting conditions in a building compliant with sustainable guidelines through findings from a post-occupancy questionnaire and on-site readings. This study (1) identified thermal, acoustic, and lighting conditions that significantly affected occupant satisfaction with their office workspace and (2) determined if the required IEQ guideline standards correlate to occupants’ satisfaction. Questionnaire results did indicate occupants’ satisfaction with overall thermal conditions (OTC) and overall acoustic condition (OAC) was significantly different than their satisfaction with the overall physical environment. The thermal conditions multiple regression model indicated that temperature, air velocity, and humidity were contributing attributes of occupants’ OTC satisfaction. Furthermore, all acoustic attributes were found as significant contributors to OAC satisfaction in the acoustic conditions model, except for the ability to limit distraction for undesired sounds. The average physical readings of thermal, acoustic, and lighting conditions taken in selected workspaces did meet the guidelines required standards. Although some conditions of the environment were not as satisfying for occupants as others. Further analyses also indicated occupants’ satisfaction levels with the conditions varied significantly between workspace types (open and closed). Interior designers must understand that designing according to sustainable guidelines does not always create a satisfying physical environment for occupants.

Thermal comfort, indoor air quality and acoustics: a conceptual framework for predicting occupant satisfaction in sustainable office buildings

The authors propose and test a conceptual framework that delineates occupants’ satisfaction with thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and acoustics conditions via post-occupancy evaluation (POE). A self-administered, internet-based, POE questionnaire was administered in two office buildings that were designed and operated as county service centres in a Midwestern state. A series of multiple regressions was used to analyse the data. Results suggest that: Implications for sustainable design practices are provided.

Validity and reliability testing of a post-occupancy evaluation questionnaire on indoor environmental quality and occupants' satisfaction

A post-occupancy evaluation (POE) conceptual framework and questionnaire were developed and tested for occupant satisfaction in sustainable buildings. The purpose of this study was to test the POE questionnaire for validity and reliability and report the test results as well as those of a confirmatory case study analysis. An online, self-administered questionnaire was completed by 218 occupants of a sustainable office building in the Midwest. Statistical analysis for validity and reliability is reported. Additionally, several notable results were found in the case study: a) overall occupant satisfaction is significantly influenced by lighting/view conditions and furnishings conditions; b) occupant satisfaction with lighting/view conditions was significantly related to visual comfort of lighting; c) occupant satisfaction with furnishings conditions was significantly related to visual privacy. Finally, the questionnaire was found to be valid and reliable, which provides the industry with an instrument to learn more about occupant responses to sustainable buildings.