Post-Occupancy Evaluation for the Built Environment

Introduction

Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) refers to studies that assess the operation, status, and usability of a physical setting at some point after construction is completed and users move in. These studies are typically undertaken to assess the success of the design in meeting stated goals, identify problems needing attention, or provide ‘lessons learned’ for the design of another facility. POEs can be qualitative or quantitative in approach, involving a variety of data gathering techniques, including surveys, behavioural observations, behavioural trace or archival data. They range from brief and inexpensive individual studies to large scale, longitudinal, multi-site efforts. POEs are conducted by facility owners, particularly those seeking to improve repeatedly built settings, designers trying to inform their practice, and researchers looking to understand human-environment relations.

Definition of Post-Occupancy ...