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Assessment of Post-Occupancy Evaluation Practices in Public Buildings

Abstract

Post-occupancy evaluation provides an important means of assessing how effectively public buildings perform after they have been occupied and used for their intended purposes. While architectural design decisions are often evaluated during the planning and construction stages, actual building performance can only be fully understood through users' experiences and observations after occupation. Effective post-occupancy evaluation can identify discrepancies between design intentions and operational outcomes, providing valuable information for improving existing buildings and informing future projects. This study assesses post-occupancy evaluation practices in public buildings, focusing on the methods, procedures, and performance indicators used to evaluate occupied facilities. Particular attention is given to the assessment of functional performance, environmental conditions, user satisfaction, accessibility, spatial adequacy, building services, maintenance, and energy performance. The study also examines the extent to which systematic evaluation procedures are incorporated into the management and operation of public buildings. The study further considers the methods used to collect and analyse post-occupancy information. User questionnaires, interviews, observations, building performance measurements, facility records, and maintenance reports can provide complementary information about building performance. Combining quantitative and qualitative assessment approaches can provide a more comprehensive understanding of how buildings function and how users interact with their physical environments. The effectiveness of post-occupancy evaluation is also influenced by organizational and management factors. Availability of evaluation guidelines, technical expertise, funding, documentation, institutional support, and communication between building users, facility managers, designers, and owners can determine how effectively evaluation findings are generated and applied. Where evaluation results are not adequately documented or incorporated into decision-making, opportunities to improve building performance and future design practices may be lost. Despite its potential benefits, post-occupancy evaluation practices may face challenges including limited awareness, inadequate resources, inconsistent assessment procedures, poor record keeping, and insufficient follow-up after evaluations. Public buildings may also vary considerably in function and user groups, requiring evaluation frameworks that can respond to different operational and environmental requirements. Establishing structured and context-sensitive evaluation procedures can improve the reliability and usefulness of post-occupancy information. The study aims to assess existing post-occupancy evaluation practices in public buildings and identify factors affecting their effectiveness and application. The findings are expected to assist architects, facility managers, public-sector organizations, and building owners in developing more systematic approaches to evaluating building performance after occupation. Ultimately, the study seeks to promote continuous learning from occupied buildings and support improved design decisions, facility management practices, user satisfaction, and long-term public building performance.

Keywords: Post-occupancy evaluation, public buildings, building performance, user satisfaction, functional performance, environmental assessment, accessibility, facility management, building services, energy performance, occupant feedback, performance monitoring, building evaluation, design improvement.