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- Andrews, Clinton J., et al.
(author)
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Methods to Obtain the Occupant Perspective
- 2023
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In: Occupant-Centric Simulation Aided Building Design: Theory, Application, and Case Studies. - 9781000865752 ; , s. 60-82
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This chapter summarizes the most important methods for actively engaging occupants in the processes of designing buildings. Each stage in the building life cycle places different demands on the professional-to-occupant relationship. Both objective and subjective data are important in this relationship and raises key epistemological questions about factors that cannot be directly observed—e.g., how do we know what we know about occupant behavior? The chapter guides the reader through this intellectually dangerous terrain by suggesting that the best way to find out what people think is to ask them. Some methods discussed here are familiar to practitioners, including interviews, surveys, focus groups, and direct observation. Others are just entering widespread practice, including virtual reality simulations, ubiquitous sensors and monitoring systems, and momentary ecological assessments. Each method has strengths, weaknesses, and appropriateness for use during certain stages of the building life cycle. The key takeaways from this chapter are that (1) building designers and operators can learn much value from occupants and (2) the new skills needed to engage successfully can be quickly learned. Occupant-centric design approaches that employ these methods improve the likelihood of successful building, interface design, and occupant outcomes.
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2. |
- Mosteiro-Romero, Martín, et al.
(author)
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Relative importance of electricity sources and construction practices in residential buildings: A Swiss-US comparison of energy related life-cycle impacts
- 2014
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In: Energy and Buildings. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-7788. ; 68:PARTA, s. 620-631
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Comparisons of buildings in similar climates built in accordance with different regional constructionpractices and building rating systems can provide useful insights in sustainable design practices. Theobjectives of this study were: (1) to perform energy related life cycle assessments of a typical LEED-H(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Homes) single-family home in New Jersey (US), and atypical Minergie-P single-family home in Chur, Switzerland; and (2) to assess the effect of rating systemsand construction practices on the buildings’ environmental impacts. Inventory data was obtained fromthe Ecoinvent 2.2 database with a replacement of the Western European electricity mix with the US orNew Jersey electricity mix for the New Jersey home. The Swiss building performed better regarding nonrenewableenergy consumption, Global Warming Potential and Acidification Potential mainly due to thegeothermal heat pump and the Swiss electricity mix while there was less of a difference regarding OzoneLayer Depletion Potential and Eutrophication Potential. The influence of electricity sources exceeded theeffects of longer building life time or the removal of the Swiss basement. Regional building practices, localcodes and environmental policies should take the electricity mix into account because it is so important.
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