From the course: Understanding the Architectural Design Process

Unlock the full course today

Join today to access over 22,600 courses taught by industry experts or purchase this course individually.

Post-occupancy evaluations

Post-occupancy evaluations

From the course: Understanding the Architectural Design Process

Start my 1-month free trial

Post-occupancy evaluations

- Well, an architect's job does not end with construction. It is a good idea to check in with the client or use the group several months to a year after occupancy. The architect will discuss the uses of the space and there will always be lessons learned. For example, on a school project, the expensive projector screens for an outdoor classroom might not be as used as the team thought initially. There could have been more shading planned for all exterior learning spaces, and the built-in concrete bleachers have an awkward angle to them, making them uncomfortable to use by the students. Furthermore, with many sustainability programs, as a condition of certification, the building must show that it performs according to the design and energy goals that it claims. For example, a design spec might call for a high-performance HVAC system to be installed on the roof, but after several months of operation, a glitch is discovered, resulting in reduced energy performance. If this is caught…

Contents