Accounting for occupants in current building design and operation practice

It is well established that occupant-building interactions impact both (1) building energy performance and (2) occupant satisfaction with indoor environmental quality. As part of an international research collaboration (the International Energy Agency, Energy in Buildings and Communities Programme, Annex 79 Occupant-Centric Building Design and Operation), an international survey investigated how occupants are currently considered in the building design process and how occupant-related information is communicated in this process, seen from the viewpoint of architects, HVAC designers, and other building professionals. This paper gives insights on the use of occupant-related information within guidelines and in building performance simulation. Results show the need to make occupant-related information integrated part of the building design process. Guidelines are a relevant source of information in this process and can positively contribute to close the research – practitioner gap regarding the application of more complex occupant behaviour models in building simulation.