Build to satisfy
Modelling of User Behaviour in Low- and Plus-Energy Buildings
How do the people using low energy buildings actually deal with these somewhat extreme constructions
Modern office buildings can be constructed in a way that keeps their energy consumption extremely low during operation. An important question that arises in this context is how the users deal with these somewhat extreme constructions. The project identifies the necessary parameters for more user satisfaction and analyses how people can be motivated to participate in the concept to achieve optimal building operation.
Emphasis is put on gender and diversity issues. Requirements and behavior of users of different gender, age, ethnic groups, lifestyles, education levels etc. are being examined. The developed recommendations will support facility managers of service buildings and provide evidence for future planning processes for buildings and for building automation.
First, qualitative interviews will provide a picture of user behaviour and its implications for building operation. This will also help to identify the factors which determine behaviour and user satisfaction on a personal and a logistic level, Then, using the method of agent-based social simulation, the influence of attitudes, knowledge, decision-making structure and mutual influence of users and the resulting collective behaviour and its effects on building operation will be simulated. Finally, experts, facility managers and building operators will present their evaluation of user interviews and the simulation as well as their experience with good practice through interviews and workshops.
The recommendations for building planners, property developers, house technicians and facility managers are supposed to be presented via an online tool. The overall outcome includes
- options on the level of technical building equipment to better incorporate user requirements/li>
- options on the decision-making and management level to effectively involve users in the building management
- options for information and awareness raising
- a test as to whether agent-based social simulation of user behaviour and decision making is a suitable ‘tool’ to support building planners and facility managers
Downloads
Publications
Publications
- . (2016). User satisfaction and well-being in energy efficient office buildings: Evidence from cutting-edge projects in Austria. Energy And Buildings, 118, 18-26. doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.02.036DOIWebsiteRISENWBIB Abstract
This paper aims to improve our knowledge of energy use and well-being in energy efficient office buildings. It explores the interrelations between forms and patterns of energy use on the one hand and user satisfaction, comfort, and well-being on the other hand. Findings are derived from qualitative and quantitative data collected in a recently finished research project in Austria. Fieldwork consisted of two qualitative case studies as well as an online-based survey amongst users of energy efficient office buildings. In addition, secondary data from energy-monitoring research was used to underpin the analysis. The results show that extremely low levels of energy use in office buildings can be aligned with high levels of well-being. Based on empirical findings the paper argues that both well-being and energy performance in office buildings are the result of a complex, on-going and intertwined process that involves various material and social elements.
- . (2016). Energy-efficient office buildings. ITA-Dossier no. 19en (January 2016; Author: Michael Ornetzeder). Wien. doi:10.1553/ita-doss-019enDOIDownloadRISENWBIB Abstract
-> Energy-efficient design principles have recently become more popular in office buildings.
-> So far, there is little research on how the various measures for extremely low energy consumption affect the well-being of building users.
-> Preliminary results of an ITA study show that people working in the surveyed office buildings are very satisfied with the indoor climate and other workplace conditions even at ultra-low en- ergy consumption. - . (2016). Energiesparende Bürogebäude. ITA-Dossier Nr. 19 (Jänner 2016; Autor: Michael Ornetzeder). Wien. doi:10.1553/ita-doss-019DOIDownloadRISENWBIB Abstract
-> Neue Überwachungstechnologien ermöglichen immer tiefere Einblicke in das Leben eines jeden Einzelnen von uns.
-> Sicherheitsmaßnahmen greifen mehr und mehr auf Überwachung zurück, mit dem Argument, dass ein Mehr an Sicherheit eben Eingriffe in Grundrechte erfordere.
-> BürgerInnen sehen dies differenzierter: Der Einsatz von Überwachungstechnologien wird nicht per se abgelehnt, aber kritisch gesehen und sollte daher prinzipiell begrenzt, strikt reguliert und kontrolliert werden.
-> Der Datenschutz sollte verbessert werden, auch bei Sicherheitstechnologien. Außerdem sollte Sicherheit eine öffentliche Aufgabe bleiben und die sozialen Wurzeln von Unsicherheit müssten bekämpft werden. - . (2014). Build to satisfy: Modellierung des NutzerInnenverhaltens in Niedrigst- und Plusenergiegebäuden. Auswirkung auf Gebäudeperformance und Zufriedenheit – Build to satisfy ENDBERICHT (Berichte aus Energie- und Umweltforschung 32/2014) (p. 129). Graz. Retrieved from http://www.hausderzukunft.at/hdz_pdf/berichte/endbericht_1432_build_to_satisfy.pdf
Conference Papers/Speeches
Conference Papers/Speeches
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06/12/2016
, Trondheim
Michael Ornetzeder:
Mind the Gap: Improving energy performance without compromising user well-being in a green office building in Austria
Interdisciplinary MINDER Research Symposium NTNU
Duration
02/2012 - 12/2013