Leveraging ubiquitous computing as a platform for collecting real-time occupant feedback in buildings

Abstract

Building occupants represent a rich source of information for evaluating environmental design practices and building operations. This article presents a scalable diagnostic technology for collecting real-time indoor environmental quality (IEQ) feedback from building occupants: an interactive desktop polling station. The device demonstrates the potential of ubiquitous computing, a model of human–computer interaction in which information processing is integrated into everyday objects, to engage occupants in providing IEQ feedback in real work environments. Example data from a field study of a high-performance office building are presented demonstrating the applicability of multiple devices to acquire detailed feedback over daily and seasonal variations in climatic conditions. Sample results show how polling station data can help identify the frequency and magnitude of discomfort with the spatial and temporal granularity needed to assess, validate, and improve the performance of environmentally responsive building technologies, controls, and design strategies. Analysis of repeated-measures subjective assessments paired with concurrent physical measurements is performed to demonstrate how existing standards and assumptions for occupant comfort could be evaluated and refined using detailed occupant feedback from buildings in use. Results are discussed regarding implications for improving decision-making for the design, certification, and operation of environmentally responsive buildings.

Keywords:

• human factors
• indoor environmental quality
• real-time feedback
• post occupancy evaluation
• ubiquitous computing

Acknowledgements

Funding to develop the desktop polling stations was provided by the T.Y. Lin Foundation and the U.C. Berkeley Center for the Built Environment (CBE). Additional support for the development and fabrication of the polling stations was provided by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).

Notes

Brand = Measurement Specialties, type = 44016RC precision thermistor, resistance = 10,000 Ω at 25°C. Prior to assembly, thermistors were calibrated in a thermal bath to within ±0.1°C.

The shell is a ping pong ball spray painted 50% matt grey.

Brand = Licor, type = LI-210, nominal accuracy = 3%.