Abstract
To improve the construction industry’s capacity to deliver sustainable infrastructure, guidance on delivering green building systems needs to be more usable. Green buildings have certifications and ratings in place that ensure that projects are environmentally responsible and meet standards in resource efficiency. EarthCraft Multifamily (ECMF), an evolving green building certification, has been successful in increasing the delivery of energy-efficient affordable housing, and this study leverages user experience (UX) methodologies to understand how to further improve ECMF and replicate its success. This study identifies the impact ECMF tools and resources, such as the program manual, worksheet, and technical guidelines, have on enhancing project delivery for architects. This study conducted data analysis on project specifications, heuristic evaluation data, and stakeholder interview data. As the strengths and weaknesses of ECMF were identified, knowledge on the usability of the green building certification program was unveiled. Heuristic evaluations data show that accessibility and usability issues are present in ECMF resources. Interview data show that architects’ experiences with ECMF resources were affected by some of the usability issues identified in the heuristic evaluation data. Coded interview transcripts show the most prominent participant-identified improvements represented within the data. Resources need appropriate visual representation such as readability and hierarchy to improve their usability. Understanding how ECMF resources are utilized during project delivery allows for the appropriate content and options to be strategically framed to improve accessibility and enhance user decision making. ECMF resources can allow for the inclusion of a broader set of stakeholders by lowering the level of expertise required for sustainable infrastructure delivery.
Highlights
Over the last two decades, green building certifications have been developed to promote sustainability by providing intelligence and direction to building designers [1]
Because of the opportunities to improve the resources, this study explored the realm of EarthCraft Multifamily (ECMF) and user experiences of the green building certification program
Appropriate content and options can be strategically framed to improve the usability of ECMF resources and enhance user experience
Summary
Over the last two decades, green building certifications have been developed to promote sustainability by providing intelligence and direction to building designers [1]. There are a variety of considerations for green building design, such as climate change mitigation, indoor environmental quality, resiliency, and durability. Regions have different contextual goals, which can create conflicting values for a design team to consider [2]. Users of green building certification resources should be provided with an elegant user experience that guides a designer to gain certifications and ratings. Over green building certifications are in place [3] to outline and encourage construction projects to be environmentally responsible for meeting standards of resource efficiency and performance. While differences across regions should be appreciated, green building certifications should provide a common user experience regardless of the program
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