postoccupancyutvärdering

Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) is a systematic assessment of a built environment after it has been occupied, aimed at determining how well the design and features meet user needs and performance goals. The concept gained prominence in architectural and facilities research during the late 20th century, with foundational work that emphasized linking design intent to actual use. POE considers multiple dimensions, including occupant comfort (thermal, visual, and acoustic), functional performance (space plans and wayfinding), health and safety, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, daylighting, and maintenance operations.

The POE process typically involves defining objectives and indicators, gathering data through mixed methods (occupant surveys and interviews, walkthroughs, and review of building performance data such as energy use and environmental monitoring), and analyzing results to identify gaps between expected and actual performance. Findings are translated into actionable recommendations for design revisions, retrofits, or changes in building management and maintenance practices. POEs can be undertaken after a project is occupied (summative) or to diagnose specific issues during use (formative or diagnostic).

Benefits of POE include providing evidence-based input for future projects, improving occupant satisfaction and productivity, enhancing energy performance, and informing operations and maintenance planning. Limitations include the costs and time required, privacy and confidentiality considerations, and challenges in attributing outcomes directly to design features due to changing usage patterns and external conditions. POE is widely applied in offices, schools, healthcare facilities, and public buildings to support iterative improvement in the built environment.