Framework for multidimensional evaluation of building performance

Abstract

Buildings Performance Evaluation (BPE) plays a major role in determining the level of satisfaction of building designers, owners, occupants and operators. The improved match between expectations and fulfillment is considered as important target for the building to become more client driven, to provide better value for the customer. The traditional view of performance measurement heavily relied on financial and accounting data of a building, which highlighted a cost centered building performance bench-marking. Previous researchers have developed BPE frameworks in the healthcare and educational sectors in order to present an overview of total" performance of the buildings. Among the BPE frameworks developed, the application of Post Occupancy Evaluation (FOE) has been justified throughout the industry as a successful technique reflecting good practice. While most organizations across the world accept benefits of evaluating performance of the buildings, there is no generic framework established with relevant Building Performance Indicators (BPI) to conduct BPE in a structured and systematic manner. The lack of a generic framework for BPE has led organizations to conduct BPE in their chosen customized ways and thereby prevent gaining optimum benefits. The aim of this study therefore, is to present a generic and multidimensional framework for evaluation of Building Performance (BP). Structured interviews with industry practitioners were used to identify BPE criteria and BPIs. The findings were useful in developing a conceptual model and ultimately the generic and multidimensional BPE framework. Results obtained from the survey so far showed that, 'internal environment comfort 'followed by 'health, safety and security' are the most important criteria among the seven BPE criteria studied Overall, survey findings revealed 'visual comfort' followed by 'indoor environmental quality' as the most critical key BPIs and 'non-toxic pest control' as the least important indicator. This generic framework therefore can be used in bench marking as well as fine-tuning the - performance of facilities available in both existing and future buildings.