Recently in ARCHITECTURE Category

We can design our hearts out, but the final results of a building's functionality is up to the people who use the building for their purposes.  And they never ever match the architect or designer's expectations!  The public is "fickle" -- meaning, of course, complex and unpredictable. But in a recent research project to identify the value and impact of a specific green building and people's experience of it, researchers delved in-depth into the likes and dislikes about the Philip Merrill Environmental Center in Annapolis, MD. 

The most liked features of the building included:

• Connection to nature and the bay
• The lunch room
• Views to the outdoors
• Openness of the space
• Daylight
• Sustainable resoruce use
• Overall aesthetics
• Parking
• Location

And the least liked features of the building included:

• Temperature conditions
• Things not working right
• Moving from downtown
• Insufficient storage
• Insufficient meeting rooms
• Glare from windows
• Central vs. local copiers

Intriguing.   People WANT nature, but then don't like natural conditions.  They like overall space and aesthetics, but dislike taking time to walk a bit to use the space.  We like space but want lots of stuff around us.  Yes, Virginia, we are complex beings! 

Maybe the challenge is one of attitude.  Even an attitude of gratitude! How do we design gratitude into building functionality? 

SOURCE:
The Human Factors of Sustainable Building Design: Post Occupancy Evaluation of the Philip Merrill Environmental Center, Annapolis, MD. by Judith Heerwagen, Ph.D.; Leah Zagreus; and prepared for Drury Crawley, US Department of Energy Building Technology Program

It's interesting how we take for granted the functionality of a building.  It keeps us warm and dry, right?  Well, when you look closer, you discover that buildings are much more functional than weather shields.  Here is a list of "general satisfaction" factors for an office building survey that are worth considering when you evaluate a building's "value".
 

• General satisfaction as a workspace
• Office layout
• Office furnishings
• Thermal comfort
• Air quality
• Lighting
• Views
• Acoustic quality
• Cleanliness and maintenance
• Attention and concentration
• Awareness and communication
• Interactive behaviors
• Functionality
• Acoustic functionality
• Community
• Morale and well being

Buildings are functional spaces in which we function.  We work, play, enjoy, relate, learn, listen, build memories, and manage our moods.  With so much riding on a building's functionality not just as a temperate zone of comfort, it stands to reason that we need to look at the toxicity of materials, the amount of seating that encourages conversation, sunshine and views of nature and good ventilation that re-energizes our muscles and lungs.

That's a "system" that embodies green building, sustainable landscape, and social justice all rolled up into one community development strategy.

Building technologies can be more sustainable... or more complicated!  But expertise in design and construction can properly select and install building technologies that reduce energy and other natural resources over the entire life of the building.  The major categories of building technologies that can be incorporated in green buildings include: 

Building Technologies
HVAC&R
Fire & Life Safety
Building Automation and Controls
BAS Technologies
Building Services