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The purpose of this paper is to report on partial findings of a research project on post‐occupancy design in school projects. It provides a brief review of key factors, and major players in post‐occupancy processes.

Subsequent to literature review for the research, the primary data was obtained from a steering group (stakeholder forum) comprising of a sample of primary and secondary school representatives, local authorities and building professionals. Following the data collection, visits were arranged to the selected schools, and local councils and semi‐structured interviews with school and council authorities were carried out. At the same time, research meeting and directed studies were held to best explore the applications for devising the toolkit. Simulated and real cases for making decisions in post‐occupancy design were selected to devise a model‐base to test out the applicability of the devised prototype of the toolkit.

This study provided clarification on the post‐occupancy performance and practicable expectations of major parties in school projects with special reference to the development stage of the proposed toolkit. The qualitative and quantitative data collected, confirmed that a real‐time updateable support system for decisions is required for making the most reasonable decisions where multi‐criteria/multi‐agent decision is inevitable. The principles of co‐creation of knowledge and value, as suggested in manufacture and service industries, were investigated to inform the underlying design platform for the toolkit. The decision support systems for multi‐criteria decision making processes were also established so that the toolkit can take a full account of the achievements in this area.

The paper highlights the complexities involved in the post‐occupancy decision processes in school projects. Also, the pressing need for a system to assist in streamlining the information flow (particularly upwards, from the schools to the LA) and management of knowledge to facilitate design decisions is identified. The decision processes need to be more integrated, collaborative and inclusive. It also acknowledges that decision making in post‐occupancy processes, is an evolving process. The main contribution of this paper however, remains to be how the collaborative processes were streamlined for all the stakeholders to work together and co‐create knowledge and value to devise a platform.

The main axes of this study, which is differentiated from contemporary architecture studies as the first academic work in the scope of post-occupancy evaluation floating spaces, are based on evaluating the spatial satisfaction and the meeting of these expectations by its users. A post-occupancy evaluation (POE) yielded a dataset of 117 yacht-users for whom demographic information, activities, and length-of-stay were recorded. This paper reports the study conducted on 78 yachts in Turkey, focusing particularly on the physical design features. The questionnaire is based on the observation and applied as post-occupancy evaluation on the examples of yachts from Turkey. It also questions the effect of the sea on the spatial perception and evaluates the user satisfaction of the interiors and exteriors of yacht spaces. Assessment on the physical design of yacht interiors from the perspective of the staff and the owner is the method to understand their expectation, preferences and experiences. In addition, the satisfaction of different user groups and general evaluation of spaces are explained within the graphics that include the data and analysis which are obtained from the interviews. Empirical results indicate that different user categories (owner and staff) that are presented in the scope of the post-occupancy evaluations (POE) have different satisfaction levels. Findings of this study demonstrate that the difference of satisfaction levels between the users caused different space needs and expectations from their spaces. Although floating spaces have unconventional environmental specifications from the terra architecture, high level of satisfaction in yachts shows that the floating spaces should be evaluated with the scope of their spatial characteristics, in consequence of the spatial perception on the sea and the psychological concepts. In conclusion, the management implications of the study are discussed.

Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of office buildings, accommodating large number of users, is significantly demanded, to ascertain the provision and upkeep of users' requirements. This paper presents the findings of a POE of an office building located in Saudi Arabia, as a case study.

A mixed approach of qualitative and quantitative research activities were conducted to achieve the objective of this study. Previous studies were analyzed to identify 28 performance indicators, grouped under seven technical and functional performance elements in office buildings. A walkthrough served to gain familiarity with the building, and identify the obvious performance defects. Interviews were conducted to solicit the users' perceptions about the performance elements, and initiate discussions based on the findings of the walkthrough. A user satisfaction survey was then deployed to quantify the user's feedback on the performance of the building.

Users of the case study office building were generally satisfied with all the technical performance elements, except visual comfort. They were also dissatisfied with two functional performance elements, namely office layout and building equipment.

Recommendations were developed to improve the performance of the case study building. The approach followed and the defined indicators can be of practical value to design professionals, administrators and facilities managers, responsible for the design and operation of office buildings.

Office buildings are valuable business capital for their corporate organizations. This study contributes to the facilities management literature, through providing a systematic approach for the quality and performance appraisal of the performance elements of office buildings.

A combined windcatcher and light pipe (SunCatcher) was installed in the seminar room at the University of Reading, UK. Monitoring of indoor environment in real weather conditions was conducted to evaluate the application of windcatchers for natural ventilation. In addition, a subjective occupancy survey was undertaken. External weather conditions and internal indoor air quality indicators were recorded. The “tracer‐gas decay” method using SF₆ was used to establish air change rate for various conditions. The results indicated that the ventilation rate achieved through the windcatcher depends on the difference between internal and external air temperatures, and on wind speed and direction, in agreement with other published work in the area. The indoor air quality parameters were found to be within acceptable levels when the windcatcher was in operation. The measured air change rate was between 1.5ac/h and 6.8ac/h. Occupants’ questionnaires showed 75 per cent satisfaction with the internal conditions and welcomed the installation of the systems in UK buildings.

Although studies on student residential satisfaction abound, yet there are limited studies conducted on students’ satisfaction in respect of hostel accommodation facilities undertaken through public-private partnerships (PPPs) in Nigeria. The purpose of this study is to assess the level of students’ satisfaction with the provision of university hostel accommodation facility using build-operate-transfer (BOT) model at University of Lagos (Unilag), Nigeria.

The study adopted literature review and questionnaire survey within the case study of a BOT hostel accommodation facility at Unilag in Nigeria. The students who reside at the case study were the respondents. Hence, 153 self-administered questionnaires were purposively distributed face-to-face to the entire student population that live in the BOT hostel. Thus, a total of 96 completed questionnaires representing 63 per cent were collected and found suitable for the analysis. The data collected were analysed using the mean score and chi-square (χ²) test.

The study revealed a total mean satisfaction level of 3.46 (on a 5-point Likert scale), which indicates that students are “somehow satisfied” with the university hostel accommodation facility undertaken through BOT. The study further established that age and level of students have no significant influence on the overall students’ satisfaction with their hostel accommodation facility undertaken through BOT.

The study would provide valuable feedback to private investors, university authorities and facility managers of higher education institutions to improve their services in the near future.

The identified variables that have tested to be significant in assessing students’ level of satisfaction in BOT hostel accommodation facilities could be used to assess users’ satisfaction in similar facilities delivered through PPPs in other countries.

The field of building performance evaluation (BPE) forms a fragmented whole with tools and methods that are not widely applicable. In response, the purpose of this paper is to develop and demonstrate a novel BPE framework to bring consistency and flexibility in evaluating actual building performance.

The paper critically reviews and evaluates existing BPE methods and techniques and situates them in different building life stages. Using a hierarchical approach, a “BPE framework” is devised for new and existing buildings as well as refurbishments. The working of the BPE framework is demonstrated by applying it to four discreet BPE studies to enable cross-comparison of different BPE approaches based on their stage of application, depth and duration of BPE investigations.

The framework is designed to have four graduated levels starting at the “basic” level and developing incrementally to “core”, “comprehensive” and “advanced” levels, thereby focussing on “need to know” rather than “nice to have”. The framework also offers a mechanism to map different types of BPE studies with varying scope and content.

As we enter a world of smart meters and smart buildings, we are transitioning into a new future of understanding building performance. The study helps to better understand which BPE method can be used to study what aspect of building performance and in what building lifecycle stage, against time, cost and user expertise.

The graduated and flexible framework helps to bring consistency in evaluating building performance in an otherwise fragmented field, to help improve building performance.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate how the relationship between employees’ workspace satisfaction and their respective perceptions of workspace support to labour productivity interacts with two emotional experiences as follows: workspace attachment and job stress.

Web-based surveys conducted before and after a company’s short-distance relocation. Study 1 concerned 66 employees and was conducted a few weeks before the relocation. Study 2 concerned 84 employees and was conducted six months after the relocation. Ordinary least squares regression, moderation and mediation analysis were performed.

After the relocation, the employees experienced greater job stress, less workspace satisfaction, and they felt less attached to their workspaces. However, the evaluations of workspace support to labour productivity did not change. Contrary to expectations, employees’ workspace satisfaction is not related to their evaluation of this workspace as supporting labour productivity. Instead, this relationship is moderated by job stress. The hypothesis that workspace attachment mediates the relationship between workspace satisfaction and respective evaluation of this workspace as supporting labour productivity was not verified.

Corporate real estate managers and any manager leading short-distance relocation projects should consider incorporating change management in the projects to maintain employees’ positive attitudes and emotional bonds with their workspace.

This research improves the knowledge of how employees perceive the workspace as supporting their work duties.

This paper aims to review the impact of design and specification decisions for major works during post‐occupancy processes; the routine maintenance and management of school premises. It also seeks to explore the relationship between the main stakeholders and how this impacts decision‐making and the post‐occupancy operation of school buildings.

In addition to a literature review, qualitative data were also obtained through a focus group; a steering group. The steering group consisted of stakeholders tasked with delivering and managing school premises in the Sussex County.

The findings contribute to understanding the impact of design decisions on post‐occupancy processes in schools. A basic model is also presented as a guide for requirements and decision mapping in post‐occupancy design decision processes in schools.

The study was conducted with the participation of a representative sample of stakeholders. There may be the need to investigate the issues further in a localised context before detailed solutions are proposed.

The paper reports findings based on the needs, requirements, and preferences of the stakeholders as well as the opportunities and constraints to improving the quality of design processes which in turn will improve post occupancy processes.

The paper highlights the complexity of design decision‐making in schools, presents the viewpoint of stakeholders, and proposes a basic model to ensure performance for post‐occupancy processes to inform the next stage of the research.

A green building should provide occupants with a comfortable and energy‐efficient environment. The aim of this paper is, following a post‐occupancy study, to find out whether the green intent is being delivered.

A post‐occupancy study was conducted in a high standard office building certified by China's Green Building Label. The study included an occupant survey and a physical measurement.

The building generally achieved its intended thermal environment of 25°C during cooling seasons and satisfied more than 80 per cent of occupants. Sources of discomfort, including low temperatures in both the summer and winter were identified. Objective measurements showed that the building's indoor temperature varied among floors in both the summer and winter. The variation was mainly a result of occupancy conditions. Variations in the thermal environment also revealed that the building's users have good energy conservation habits.

Post‐occupancy evaluations should be included in the green building certification process to demonstrate a building's sustainability after construction and operation. Facilities management should take the responsibility to periodically examine the green intent being delivered.

The paper provides empirical data to expand the international post‐occupancy evaluation on green buildings. The building under study as a green design showcase represents current green building development in China.