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Users' perceptions of personal control of environmental conditions in sustainable buildings.

Article Excerpt
Introduction

It is now over two decades since studies of building related ill-health by, amongst others, Wilson and Hedge in the UK revealed 'fewer symptoms and greater productivity as the perceived level of personal control increases' (Bordass, Bromley & Leaman, 1993). Buildings with high scores for personal control of temperature, ventilation, and lighting had productivity improvements of the order of 8, 4 and 2% respectively. However, these same authors questioned whether more individual control was the full answer, asking 'What types of control do occupants really want, how should it be provided, and will it create new problems?' With some foresight, they speculated whether the occupants of 'the "green" buildings of tomorrow' would 'welcome the automation of lighting and ventilation' being advocated at that time.

Reporting on the Probe studies, Leaman too (BRI, 2001/2) noted that 'Although high levels of perceived control are normally associated with better comfort, health and productivity scores, this is not invariably so, because background default conditions vary; and because excessive, confusing, or poorly functioning controls can be even more problematical'. He lamented that '... in occupant surveys undertaken by BUS over the past decade [referring here to the 1990s], ratings of perceived control have been in continuous decline' quoting an average figure of 2.69 for all buildings. He also noted a growing noise problem which no-one seemed to 'own'--a real concern given that '... noise can be clearly shown to affect productivity bottom lines ...'

However, there is dichotomy in all this which is well recognised by these authors (see for example Leaman, 2002). Despite building users saying that 'they perform better when they have relatively more control over the heating, cooling, ventilation, noise and lighting', in practice 'Almost all occupants treat buildings as a means to an end' and 'will be almost completely preoccupied with carrying out.... the activities or tasks in which they are primarily engaged.' Difficult as it may be for those of us who have dedicated a lifetime to building design and performance to comprehend and accept, 'most users don't really care very much about buildings and their architecture'. Do they really want or need more personal controls, or will they just end up regarding them as another potential hindrance to their primary tasks?

The issue is an intriguing one. With the increased sophistication of sensors and controls it could conceivably become possible for the building systems to sense and adjust automatically to one's personal requirements--or would we still prefer to be able to intervene directly, turning the radiator on or off, opening or closing windows, switching the lights manually? Do users even want to have the ability to adjust He also noted a growing noise problem which no-one seemed to 'own'--a real concern given that '... noise can be clearly shown to affect productivity bottom lines ...' However, there is dichotomy in all this which is well recognised by these authors (see for example Leaman, 2002). Despite building users saying that 'they perform better when they have relatively more control over the heating, cooling, ventilation, noise and lighting', in practice 'Almost all occupants treat buildings as a means to an end' and 'will be almost completely preoccupied with carrying out.... the activities or tasks in which they are primarily engaged.' Difficult as it may be for those of us who have dedicated a lifetime to building design and performance to comprehend and accept, 'most users don't really care very much about buildings and their architecture'. Do they really want or need more personal controls, or will they just end up regarding them as another potential hindrance to their primary tasks?

The issue is an...

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