Towards a general framework for an observation and knowledge based model of occupant behaviour in office buildings

This paper proposes a new general approach based on Bayesian networks to model the human behaviour. This approach represents human behaviour withprobabilistic cause-effect relations based not only on previous works, but also with conditional probabilities coming either from expert knowledge or deduced from observations. The approach has been used in the co-simulation of building physics and human behaviour in order to assess the CO 2 concentration in an office.Comment: IBPC 2015 Turin , Jun 2015, Turin, Italy. 201

Developing a valid method to study adaptive behaviours with regard to IEQ in primary schools

Adaptive behaviour impacts the classroom's environment and the student's comfort. Therefore, a deep understanding of students' adaptive behaviour is required. This study aims to develop a valid and reliable method to realize how children in their late middle childhood (9–11) practise adaptive behaviours as a response to the classroom's Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). A self-reported questionnaire accompanied with an observation form is designed based on children's ‘here and now’ sensations, their cognitive and linguistic competence. Validity and reliability of the questionnaire were tested by running pilot and field studies in eight primary schools from July 2017 to May 2018. Through transverse sampling, 805 children were observed, and 1390 questionnaires were collected in 31 classrooms. Questions and responses of the designed questionnaire were validated by monitoring answer-process, non-participant observations, cross-checking questions and statistical tests. Validating process improved the wording of the questions and response categories and resulted in a questionnaire with a high and valid response rate. The reliability of the questionnaire was tested by measuring the variability and standard deviations of responses under similar conditions. To conclude, the study introduces a questionnaire and an observation form that should be used together to provide a valid and reliable method for studying adaptive behaviour of primary school children

Human experience in the natural and built environment : implications for research policy and practice

22nd IAPS conference. Edited book of abstracts. 427 pp. University of Strathclyde, Sheffield and West of Scotland Publication. ISBN: 978-0-94-764988-3

A review and comparison of studies on office window behaviour using engineering and social science methods

With the urgent need of reducing building carbon emissions to ease climate change, it is necessary to have energy efficient buildings. An effective way of achieving this mission is adopting natural ventilation, which is commonly achieved by openable windows controlled by building occupants in most cases. In this kind of buildings, therefore, occupant window behaviour becomes significantly important on the building performance. To better understand this behaviour, researchers from both engineering domain and social science domain have contributed, but it seems like that they have different research aims, methods and findings. To promote transdisciplinary collaboration in this area, this study has carried out a thorough review of studies on window behaviour in office buildings. The review work collected 66 relevant studies, and analysed their aims, methods and main findings to figure out the differences between engineering studies and social science studies. The existing studies were mainly coming from renowned academic journals (91%) and academic conferences (9%). The comparison revealed significant differences between the two scientific domains, with some overlapping between them. To obtain deeper understanding on occupant window behaviour, critical discussions on how to better collaborate between these two domains in the future have been provided as well

A multidisciplinary research approach to energy-related behavior in buildings

Occupant behavior in buildings is one of the key drivers of building energy performance. Closing the “performance gap” in the building sector requires a deeper understanding and consideration of the “human factor” in energy usage. For Europe and US to meet their challenging 2020 and 2050 energy and GHG reduction goals, we need to harness the potential savings of human behavior in buildings, in addition to deployment of energy efficient technologies and energy policies for buildings. Through involvement in international projects such as IEA ECBC Annex 53 and EBC Annex 66, the research conducted in the context of this thesis provided significant contributions to understand occupants’ interactions with building systems and to reduce their energy use in residential and commercial buildings over the entire building life cycle. The primary goal of this Ph.D. study is to explore and highlight the human factor in energy use as a fundamental aspect influencing the energy performance of buildings and maximizing energy efficiency – to the same extent as technological innovation. Scientific literature was reviewed to understand state-of-the-art gaps and limitations of research in the field. Human energy-related behavior in buildings emerges a stochastic and highly complex problem, which cannot be solved by one discipline alone. Typically, a technological-social dichotomy pertains to the human factor in reducing energy use in buildings. Progressing past that, this research integrates occupant behavior in a multidisciplinary approach that combines insights from the technical, analytical and social dimension. This is achieved by combining building physics (occupant behavior simulation in building energy models to quantify impact on building performance) and data science (data mining, analytics, modeling and profiling of behavioral patterns in buildings) with behavioral theories (engaging occupants and motivating energy-saving occupant behaviors) to provide multidisciplinary, innovative insights on human-centered energy efficiency in buildings. The systematic interconnection of these three dimensions is adopted at different scales. The building system is observed at the residential and commercial level. Data is gathered, then analyzed, modeled, standardized and simulated from the zone to the building level, up to the district scale. Concerning occupant behavior, this research focuses on individual, group and collective actions. Various stakeholders can benefit from this Ph.D. dissertation results. Audience of the research includes energy modelers, architects, HVAC engineers, operators, owners, policymakers, building technology vendors, as well as simulation program designers, implementers and evaluators. The connection between these different levels, research foci and targeted audience is not linear among the three observed systems. Rather, the multidisciplinary research approach to energy-related behavior in buildings proposed by this Ph.D. study has been adopted to explore solutions that could overcome the limitations and shortcomings in the state-of-the-art research

Architecture, physical activity and a capability evaluative framework: satisfaction is not enough

Despite recognition that building design can contribute to human health by facilitating increased incidental physical activity, knowledge of how building design can enable this is underdeveloped. Further, there is evidence that design features introduced to support routine physical activity and improve occupant satisfaction may not necessarily lead to increases in actual physical activity. Evaluative frameworks encompassing a range of individual, organisational and built environment factors that contribute to shaping occupant behaviour may provide insight into how buildings can support greater levels of routine physical activity. This paper argues that capability theory can inform our understandings of the dynamic interrelationship between building design and building use. In this paper we describe our approach to developing a framework for capabilities-based evaluation of buildings and building occupant physical activity. Based on a capability perspective we consider the intersection of building ‘domains’ and ‘functionings’ that influence occupant physical activity; and question how such evaluations could account for a range of occupants. The research is of relevance to those engaged in the production of architectural environments and evaluation tools that support physical activity—inclusive of building designers, procurers, managers and occupants