On occupant-centric building performance metrics

Publication date: September 2017
Source:Building and Environment, Volume 122
Author(s): William O'Brien, Isabella Gaetani, Salvatore Carlucci, Pieter-Jan Hoes, Jan L.M. Hensen
Existing building performance metrics cover a wide variety of domains including energy performance, equipment performance, electric lighting, indoor environmental quality, capital and operating costs, and environmental impact. They facilitate building benchmarking and yield actionable insights at all phases of the building life-cycle. Yet, the occupant domain – one of the most significant with respect to building performance – is relatively immature with regards to performance metrics. This paper provides guidance, examples, and critical discussion for developing and applying occupant-centric building performance metrics. First, an approach is proposed for developing and evaluating the suitability of such metrics. Then, using samples of data from real and simulated buildings, this paper proposes metrics that are appropriate for quantifying occupants' impact on buildings. These metrics provide an indication of building performance from an occupant-building interaction perspective, serving a purpose much like traditional building performance metrics. They also force professionals to consider occupants through a new lens because people are the real recipient of the measures and services provided by buildings.