Comparing tangible and graphical interface of occupant voting system: Preliminary results of experimental field study in an office

Occupant voting systems (OVS) collect real-time votes on occupants’ perception on the indoor environment. The votes are applied to improve building control to achieve low energy consumption and improved occupant satisfaction. For achieving these, occupants need to use the OVS frequently. Few studies investigated whether the OVS’s interface influence voting frequency. The study in this paper compared a tangible OVS interface (TUI), designed as a panel of buttons, to a graphical OVS interface (GUI), designed as a smartphone app. The study was conducted as a withingroup in-field experiment in an office space with fourteen participants over four weeks. The results showed that when the participants could only vote with one of the interfaces, they casted equally the same amount of votes on the TUI and GUI. When the participants could freely choose between the two interfaces, they voted more with the TUI because it was accessible and easier to use.publishedVersio

Comparing tangible and graphical interface of occupant voting system: Preliminary results of experimental field study in an office

Occupant voting systems (OVS) collect real-time votes on occupants’ perception on the indoor environment. The votes are applied to improve building control to achieve low energy consumption and improved occupant satisfaction. For achieving these, occupants need to use the OVS frequently. Few studies investigated whether the OVS’s interface influence voting frequency. The study in this paper compared a tangible OVS interface (TUI), designed as a panel of buttons, to a graphical OVS interface (GUI), designed as a smartphone app. The study was conducted as a withingroup in-field experiment in an office space with fourteen participants over four weeks. The results showed that when the participants could only vote with one of the interfaces, they casted equally the same amount of votes on the TUI and GUI. When the participants could freely choose between the two interfaces, they voted more with the TUI because it was accessible and easier to use.publishedVersio

Investigation of work-practices, skills and everyday challenges of building operators with respect to indoor climate and energy

Focus on sustainable construction brings many requirements and standards to ensure energy efficiency and high indoor environmental quality (IEQ). However, these are mainly used in design phase. Commissioning becomes increasingly common to ensure functionality when building is taken into use. However, buildings are expected to stay in use for many years. It is a building operator, who ensures that building delivers healthy and comfortable environment. It is beyond discussion that his/her skills and professional level affect building’s actual performance. The present study had an objective to investigate work skills, experiences and professional challenges of building operators in Danish office buildings with particular focus on IEQ and energy efficiency. Thirty building operation professionals working in 23 companies were interviewed. The results showed that occupant complaints were a driving factor with respect to IEQ related measures. Knowledge of standards and requirements regarding IEQ turned up to be rather superficial. In most cases, there was a lack of a well-defined operational strategy regarding IEQ. The results show that there is a need to provide a missing link between technological part of building operation and a strategic part defining clear goals and practices.publishedVersio

Indoor environment and energy consumption optimization using field measurements and building energy simulation

AbstractModern buildings are usually equipped with advanced climate conditioning systems to ensure comfort of their occupants. However, analysis of their actual operation usually identifies large potential for improvements with respect to their efficiency. Present study investigated potential for improvements in an existing office building – a Town Hall of Viborg, Denmark. Thorough field measurements of indoor environment and occupant satisfaction survey were conducted to identify and describe indoor environmental quality problems. Collected data were also used to calibrate computer simulation model, which was used for optimization of building's performance. Proposed optimization scenarios bring 21-37% reduction on heating consumption and thermal comfort improvement by 7-12%. The approach (procedure) can help to optimize building operation and shorten the adjustment period