Post -occupancy evaluation in buildings; A literature review of current practices in IRAN
Subject Areas : Life Space Journal
shayesteh farah
1
,
mohammad ghomeishi
2
*
,
hesamaddin sotoudeh
3
1 - Department Of Architecture,Qeshm Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qeshm, Iran
2 - Department Of Architecture, ِDamavand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damavand, Iran
3 - Department Of Architecture,Qeshm Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qeshm, Iran
Keywords: Iran, Post-occupancy Evaluation(POE), Building performance, Evaluation Level, Evaluation Area,
Abstract :
The post-occupancy evaluation (POE) method has been considered worldwide for about 60 years. Despite its extensiveness, many benefits, and wide scope of its use, it is very new in Iran, and detailed and complete studies have not been done in architecture. Post-occupancy evaluation is a process that evaluates building performance after occupancy. It involves using technical, behavioral, and functional observations to monitor and measure the built environment. POEs provide scientific data on architectural design effectiveness. Despite being around for over 60 years, detailed and complete studies on POE in architecture have not been conducted in Iran. Although POE offers many advantages over the traditional evaluation process and has been widely used, many designers refuse to utilize this process. In Iran, POE is mainly used as a subject for academic research, and builders, designers, and users do not benefit from its results. In this systematic review, we conducted a literature search on POE methods to gain a better understanding of the existing POE practices of buildings in Iran. To carry out this review, we used seven databases and search engines, including Civilica, SID, Noormags, Elmnet, Magiran, Irandoc, Google Scholar, and typeset artificial intelligence. We used three Persian and two English keywords (POE, Post-occupancy Evaluation), and 1473 cases were discovered as primary results, which were evaluated during several stages. After eliminating duplicate cases, 52 cases were selected and categorized based on the subject of evaluation, city, year of implementation, research method for data collection, and type of research. The results of the review of the articles are described below. Considering the geographical extent of Iran and the existing climate diversity, the largest number of evaluations have focused on existing buildings in hot and dry climates, and few examples are available in cold, moderate, and humid climates. No evaluated sample has yet been found in hot and humid climates. The number of articles and POEs for any climate cannot reach correct and decisive results based on the climatic conditions. The reviewed articles were either theoretical studies that deal with the methods and definitions of POE, or they were case studies. However, the number of case samples used in each research was limited to one building or a small number, which could make it challenging to generalize the results to other buildings. Although questionnaire-based surveys and interviews with residents have been commonly used as subjective data collection techniques, there is a lack of information about the specific questions posed to participants, methods of questionnaire delivery, or details about response times and rates. The difficulty in fully understanding the research context in questionnaires and interviews has hindered the ability to replicate or enhance the planning and implementation of POE research in the future. A variety of methods have been used to collect data, but the literature review and the preparation and distribution of questionnaires have been used more than other examples. In the next stages, interviews, observations, and two examples of energy and simulation methods have been seen in articles. To obtain more practical results, it is essential to consider new methods or the combination of various methods in POEs used in other countries and take advantage of their experiences in carrying out POEs in Iran. Regarding POEs, residential and educational budlings have received the most attention, followed by the types of accommodation, including dormitories, hotels, and urban spaces, which have been of interest. Functions related to tourism, treatment, and official and historical monuments have been repeated minimally, and no research has investigated other building functions. In recent years, several POE activities have been conducted in Iran. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these activities. It categorizes the data collection tools, geography, and types of use, along with the items to be evaluated, evaluation elements, and types of evaluation levels used in previous studies. By analyzing the structure of the articles and their outcomes, the article helps researchers identify gaps in the field of POE in Iran. It provides a roadmap for future POE studies by highlighting areas needing re-evaluation, examples requiring further evaluation, and topics not yet evaluated. By following the guidelines and criteria provided in this study, researchers can ensure better architecture and brighter outcomes.