Chiazor, M; Lu Aye; Robinson, J & Charters, WWS 2009, 'Exploring user experiences in built environment through human-centred surveys', In Healthy Buildings: Proceedings of the 9th International Healthy Buildings Conference and Exhibition. Eds.: Santanam, S; Bogucz, EA; Peters, C and Benson, T, Healthy Buildings 2009, 13 - 19 September 2009, Syracuse, NY, USA. Paper No: 801.

Abstract

Buildings affect many aspect of user’s well-being; accordingly human-centred surveys are aimed at informing occupant comfort and improving building design. Also, the collection of information about user experiences is important in understanding the environmental and energy economy of buildings. This paper examines the effect of indoor environmental quality and design features on workers comfort in two office buildings in Australia. One of the buildings has an array of energy efficient design features whereas the other is a conventional building with no special energy efficient features. Indoor environment parameters (thermal conditions, air pollutant concentrations, lighting and sound pressure levels) were measured across seasons, while human factors were observed through: observation, photodocumentation, questionnaire and interviews. The subjective data which was analysed statistically by factor analysis (FA) shows that certain workplace features and lack of control for thermal conditions affect the occupants’ behaviours.

Keywords: Human-centred survey; indoor environmental quality; office buildings.