Learning from built projects – sources of post occupancy feedback used by architects in Victoria, Australia

Vanessa Whittem* & Astrid Roetzel School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, AustraliaVanessa Whittem is a Research Assistant and graduate of the Master of Architecture program in the School of Architecture and Building at Deakin University. Mrs. Whittem was a Chartered Accountant in a previous career and is currently working on a number of projects that examine sustainability of buildings in use, including phenomenological, cultural and social aspects.Dr Astrid Roetzel is Senior Lecturer in Architectural Sustainability at Deakin University and holds a PhD in Architecture from HafenCity University Hamburg. Dr. Roetzel researches in the area of human-building interactions and their environmental and architectural implications. Dr. Roetzel is currently a participant in International Energy Agency EBC – Annex 79 project – Occupant-Centric Building Design and Operation [2018–2023] and previously International Energy Agency IEA, Task 66 Annex Project: ‘Definition and Simulation of Occupant Behavior in Buildings’ [2013–2017]. CONTACT Vanessa Whittem vanessa.whittem@deakin.edu.au School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20001, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia ABSTRACTHow do architects know whether their design was successful and if the building performs as intended? This is important to improve the standard of the built fabric, to show the value in good design, for the architect to learn whether the spaces achieved the desired aims, and to check sustainability performance. This research investigates the types of feedback received and studied by architects in Victoria to learn from their own built works. A literature search identified possible informal and formal feedback methods and emerging feedback methods. A general pilot study was conducted by interviewing six senior architects in practice regarding their practices’ feedback sources and methods of disseminating that knowledge. Additional feedback sources identified included the defects liability period, practice specific commissioning procedures, photography visits, and architectural services interviews. Knowledge dissemination methods included feedback reported directly to design teams, management & staff meetings, staff email, formal presentations, practice intranet software and updates to practice quality assurance procedures. Concerns raised by practitioners included procurement methods that actively discourage post occupancy analysis (POA), client unwillingness to pay for POA, and impacts on building performance of client or builder cost-based decisions.