Post occupancy evaluation process
BREEAM UK New Construction, Non-domestic Buildings (United Kingdom), Technical Manual, SD5078: BREEAM UK New Construction 2018 3.0, published by BRE Global Limited, defines Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE), also known as Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) as a process:
|
….used to improve the building operation, occupants' comfort and other areas based on its outcomes. Therefore, the POE provides suggestions on potential improvements, including, but not limited to the following:
A POE can also be used as part of the stakeholder consultation at the briefing stage for a new building or the refurbishment of an existing one, in cases where the building occupants are the same. This can be achieved through the use of a questionnaire or workshops to highlight lessons from the old or existing building that could be taken into account in the design of the new project. |
In relation to POE methodologies, it says:
‘Any POE or BPE methodology that fulfils the criteria can be used. Further guidance on POE can be found in the following resources:
- BCO guide to Post-Occupancy Evaluation, British Council for Offices (BCO), 2007
- BRE’s Design Quality Method (DQM) is a tried and tested, independent, post occupancy evaluation (POE) method used by all UK auditing authorities, and many funding bodies. Further information can be found at http://www.bregroup.com
- BRE Digest 478, Building performance feedback: getting started
- Guide to Post Occupancy Evaluation: Report and Toolkit
- The Building Use Studies (BUS) methodology is an occupant satisfaction survey that will fulfil part of the POE credit requirement, occupant feedback stage: https://busmethodology.org.uk/
- The Design Quality Indicator (DQI) is a method to assess the design quality of buildings. DQI is a process that actively involves a wide group of stakeholders in the design of building. It is delivered though a facilitated workshop that enables representatives from both the demand and supply side to work together to achieve the best outcome. Completion of the DQI Stage 5, In-use stage workshop could fulfil part of the POE credit requirement, the occupant feedback stage. See http://www.dqi.org.uk.
- BSRIA Guide to Building Performance Evaluation in Non-Domestic Buildings is a general introduction to BPE, and explains why it is important and how it can be carried out.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Advantages of shell and core.
- Appointing consultants.
- BRE articles.
- BREEAM Post occupancy evaluation.
- BREEAM.
- Building performance evaluation in non-domestic buildings guide – an introduction to the tests and methods in non-domestic buildings
- Building performance evaluation.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Building Use Studies.
- Design quality indicator DQI.
- Extended aftercare.
- Initial aftercare.
- Performance gap.
- Performance in use.
- Post occupancy evaluation.
- Post project review.
- Soft landings.
Featured articles and news
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.