How biophilic design of the school outdoor environments impacts adolescents’ behaviour and psychology: A post-occupancy evaluation based on SEM

Objectives, Purpose, or AimThis study evaluates the effectiveness of three innovative design strategies implemented in a hospital-based maternity unit 3 years post-occupancy. It aims to identify areas for improvement and demonstrate how a perception-based Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) can yield actionable insights in the absence of baseline data.BackgroundAs maternity units strive to balance clinical efficiency with family-centered care, few long-term evaluations of design performance have been conducted. This study addresses this gap by using a perception-based POE to assess design outcomes over time.MethodsA convergent mixed-methods approach was employed, combining structured observations, ambient noise level measurements, focus group interviews, and an online staff survey. Participants were nursing staff, who have direct and ongoing engagement with the unit. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed separately and then integrated through triangulation to develop a comprehensive understanding of the facility's performance.ResultsDecentralized nursing stations improved staff responsiveness and patient proximity but reduced informal peer communication. Integrated Labor-Delivery-Recovery-Postpartum/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit rooms supported care continuity and family involvement, though some ergonomic challenges in staff workspaces were reported. Lighting design fostered a calming, residential atmosphere. Acoustic outcomes were mixed-overall noise levels decreased, but localized disturbances remained.ConclusionsThe maternity unit met key design goals in lighting, spatial efficiency, and family-centered care. Yet, improvements in communication, workspace ergonomics, and supply accessibility are needed. This study highlights the value of POE methods rooted in perception and triangulation to inform future evidence-based design improvements in healthcare environments.

Purpose This paper presents a pilot study of a machine learning (ML) approach to predict occupants' satisfaction with the indoor environment in high-rise mixed-use buildings, aiming to validate a proof of concept for integrating ML models into early-stage design tools to support occupant-centred performance evaluation. Design/methodology/approach Using post-occupancy evaluation data from a case study building, Random Forest and Neural Network models were trained to classify satisfaction levels–Dissatisfied, Neutral or Satisfied–for both residents and workers based on indoor environmental factors. The methodology focuses on addressing class imbalance through data resampling and cost-sensitive learning, with model performance assessed using class-specific metrics. Findings Both models achieved high overall accuracy (cross-validation score >0.80), with notable improved performance in identifying minority classes after balancing methods were employed. While limited to a single case study, future data collection across diverse buildings and occupant profiles has the potential to improve performance and enable generalisability. Originality/value This research demonstrates the feasibility of a scalable framework for predicting indoor environmental satisfaction, enabling the integration of ML models into simulation-based workflows for data-driven, occupant-centric design evaluation. It advances the field by (1) classifying satisfaction into three actionable categories while explicitly addressing class imbalance, (2) operationalising POE data to move beyond retrospective reporting and (3) establishing a proof of concept for embedding ML models into early-stage design tools.

ABSTRACT Community complexes have emerged as a strategic solution to urban land scarcity while addressing diverse resident needs. This study conducts a comprehensive Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) of eight typical community complexes in Guangzhou using on-site questionnaire surveys (N = 970), integrating attractiveness, importance, and satisfaction to develop a holistic evaluation framework. Factor analysis identifies four key dimensions of residents’ perceptions, while binary logistic regression reveals that environmental performance and commercial functions are the primary drivers of user experience. Additionally, larger complexes (≥50,000 m2) with integrated commercial, service, and transit functions received higher user evaluations, demonstrating the advantages of mixed-use development. The study highlights pedestrians as key users and underscores the importance of walkability for user experience. It notes demographic differences in usage, with elderly and family-oriented consumers driving demand for intergenerational services. Policy recommendations focus on creating age-inclusive environments, optimizing the balance between commercial and public functions, and enhancing accessibility to ensure that community complexes function as vibrant social hubs.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate how environmental affordances in the behavioral health inpatient milieu affect a patient's sense of autonomy.BackgroundPatients who feel empowered are more likely to participate in their care, which can, in turn, improve the quality of care (Ippolito et al. 2020). However, the lack of patient empowerment can have negative consequences in behavioral health facilities such as intensified physical violence, aggression, and loneliness in the milieu (Bellman et al., 2022; Dell et al., 2019; Hickmann et al. 2022). Research has also demonstrated that patient empowerment is closely linked to patient autonomy (Gagné, 2003; Hodgins et al., 2006). However, there is little insight as to how milieu spaces can foster patient autonomy.MethodsThis study utilizes a triangulated methodology to conduct a post occupancy evaluation through an on-site environmental assessment and behavioral observations within key milieu spaces.ResultsThe results demonstrated that access to scenic views, tactile features, patient's ability to move freely throughout the unit, and access to immediate provider care were significant indicators that differentiated patient autonomy between facilities. The behavioral observations showed that negative behaviors occurred around the edges of the milieu as well as when external stressors were involved. The autonomy score findings encapsulated by the designer evaluation were also closely associated with the frequency of positive behaviors observed by staff.ConclusionOutcomes include responsive design recommendations for design implementation.

This paper introduces a novel BIM-based computational workflow that embeds spatial analysis directly within the Building Information Modelling (BIM) environment to support the evaluation and design of hospital emergency department (ED) layouts. Conventional analyses often depend on external software and repeated data exchange, which limit efficiency and integration with the design process. The proposed method integrates space syntax principles into Revit through Dynamo and custom Python scripts, enabling automated calculation of spatial measures linked to healthcare-specific performance indicators. The workflow was applied to two UK-based ED floor plans in a comparative case study, assessing patient-oriented aspects such as wayfinding, emergency access, and spatial privacy, alongside staff-oriented factors including workstation accessibility and visibility. Results were validated against DepthmapX to ensure consistency and reproducibility. The findings demonstrate that a BIM-native approach can streamline spatial analysis by eliminating import–export cycles, enhancing design iteration, and supporting post-occupancy evaluation. The significance of the study is in providing a decision-support framework for architects and healthcare planners in both designing new and evaluating existing ED layouts, where spatial configuration directly affects efficiency and user experience. Its main contribution is a reproducible workflow that enables real-time evaluation and strengthens the link between spatial analysis and evidence-based healthcare design.

There is a lack of architectural guidelines for care and treatment facilities in Poland. The aim of the study was to assess the adequacy of existing regulations for the design of such facilities and to identify any shortcomings. The methodology included an analysis of legislation and literature, as well as an assessment of the quality of space based on research conducted in the nursing home in Dzierżążno in 2025 using the post-occupancy evaluation method and interviews with staff. The literature review shows that space in care and treatment facilities has a significant impact on the quality of life of patients and staff. Statistics show that care and treatment facilities have a high number of geriatric patients, most of whom stay in the facility >1 year, often for the rest of their lives. The conclusions point to the need for new regulations on the design of nursing facilities to provide better conditions, more functional spaces and a higher standard of medical care for patients. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(4):319-329.

Daylighting, occupant behavior, and cultural context in Algerian collective housing: A post-occupancy evaluation in Annaba

This study examines resident perceptions of eco-friendly living in a green-certified high-rise, Residensi Novum, Kuala Lumpur. Drawing from 186 survey responses, it highlights enhanced indoor comfort and improved air quality, lighting, and thermal conditions as key benefits. However, residents also reported challenges with the costly and complex maintenance of sustainable technologies. This research addresses a notable gap in post-occupancy evaluations within sustainable residential contexts, offering a behavioral lens into how green features impact user satisfaction. The findings offer evidence-based insights for policymakers and developers seeking to design environmentally responsible and user-responsive housing in urban settings.

Background: The existing literature emphasises that the hospital environment plays a critical role in the experiences of patients and healthcare workers. To better understand the perspectives of healthcare staff in such settings, a questionnaire-based study was conducted at two paediatric hospitals: Vittore Buzzi Hospital (Milan, Italy) and Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital (Gothenburg, Sweden). Objective: The study had two main objectives: to collect feedback from healthcare staff via a post-occupancy evaluation focused on perceived environmental quality and to compare staff perceptions across different geographical and cultural contexts. Methods: A semi-structured survey tool consisting of 42 closed-ended items (40 of which used a 5-point Likert scale) and 2 open-ended questions was employed. The items assessed the presence and quality of specific environmental and functional features. Results: The findings reveal significant contrasts between the two hospitals. Staff at the Swedish hospital reported higher satisfaction levels across most areas, whereas the Italian hospital demonstrated significant shortcomings. Common concerns in both hospitals included limited space for medical and administrative staff and the absence of private offices for doctors. Conclusions: This study confirms that environmental quality affects not only patients, but also staff, impacting their satisfaction, perceived efficiency, and emotional well-being. The contrasting outcomes highlight the significant influence that differences in architectural design, spatial layout, and investment in staff-oriented spaces can have on the day-to-day experiences of healthcare professionals.

Studies depict that patients often dread visits to the hospital because of an increased chance of spread of infections. Hence, this study investigated the design parameters that should be incorporated in the indoor public spaces in tertiary hospitals, as patients spend the most time here pre-diagnosis. The research focuses on reception, waiting areas, circulation areas and toilets as public areas in a tertiary hospital. The research utilized the salutogenic approach as it has been less adopted in past studies. Firstly, systematic reviews of the literature and design guidelines were conducted. Secondly, post-occupancy evaluation of tertiary hospitals in Delhi and Rotterdam were carried out. Finally, a focus group discussion was conducted with experienced healthcare architects to validate the framework of the design strategies. The main factors highlighted in the post-occupancy evaluations were parameters including ventilation, disinfection and layout. However, during the focus group discussion, digitalization, disinfection, daylight and ventilation were identified as key parameters. This study depicted that well-being should be incorporated into hospital design as a priority. Nevertheless, further research is required on the incorporation of digitalization in healthcare. This research will benefit architects in the design process while designing the public spaces of hospitals to improve the well-being.

ABSTRACT This study assesses the spatial transformations triggered by the revitalization of urban coal mine industrial heritage, with a particular emphasis on the Wangfeng mine renewal project in China. Using semantic segmentation, five pivotal spatial indicators are scrutinized: green visibility, sky exposure, interface enclosure, pedestrian accessibility, and motorization levels. Additionally, we evaluate the utilization effectiveness of the rejuvenated park, thereby establishing a yardstick for gauging the success of urban industrial heritage renewal endeavors. A holistic evaluation framework is employed, integrating the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), questionnaire surveys, and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation methods. Specifically, indicator weights are ascertained through the AHP method, while traffic infrastructure, architectural spaces, park environments, ancillary facilities, cultural elements, and management services are subjected to a satisfaction evaluation framework grounded in survey data. A comparative analysis of the Wangfeng Mine renewal project is subsequently conducted, encompassing quantitative assessments of indicator significance, evaluations at both the project and programmatic levels, and the pinpointing of specific challenges confronted by the government in preserving and repurposing industrial heritage. Ultimately, the solutions derived from the Wangfeng Mine case study enrich the broader academic discourse on urban renewal and industrial heritage conservation.

Although most international green building rating tools emphasise green features to enhance indoor environmental quality (IEQ), several post-occupancy studies have reported occupant dissatisfaction with specific IEQ parameters during the operational stage of a building. Therefore, a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) was carried out in this study to assess the occupant perceptions and satisfaction with IEQ concerning thermal, visual, and acoustic comfort in a Malaysian green building. A total of 151 participants responded to a questionnaire survey employing the seven-point sensation, tolerance, preference, and acceptance scales to evaluate their experiences and satisfaction with their workspace environment. Even though the respondents predominantly expressed satisfaction with the relative humidity (86.1%), air movement (85.4%), and noise level (94.7%) conditions, their perceptions of temperature and lighting conditiong demonstrated certain variability. These results confirmed that the examined green building possessed comfort with well-designed workspaces, effective maintenance, and sustainable building practices. The findings highlighted potential areas for further improving the IEQ conditions based on the perceptions of the occupants. Future studies should consider a comparative analysis of IEQ data across similar building types while incorporating objective measurements with occupant surveys to yield a more precise assessment of IEQ.

Post-occupancy evaluation of public and private building architectural design performance in the tropical rainforest climate of Owerri, Southern Nigeria

Social Housing (SH) provided by the Brazilian Minha Casa, Minha Vida (MCMV) program often exposes residents to thermal stress and poor living conditions due to inadequate adaptation to the local climate. Self-built renovations that increase housing density exacerbate these issues by restricting natural ventilation and solar radiation, which in turn heightens thermal discomfort, energy demands, and health problems. This paper presents a climate resilience assessment of horizontal SH units from the MCMV program using the Resilience Ruler (RR), a Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) tool that measures resilience based on users' thermal comfort on a scale from 1 (not resilient) to 5 (very resilient). Conducted in a mixed and dry climate zone, represented by the city of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil, the analysis revealed an average resilience score of 2 (little resilience) for bioclimatic design and residents' climatic adaptability, highlighting priority areas for intervention. The study expands the understanding of the relationship between modifications in horizontal SH and climate resilience based on human thermal comfort. Furthermore, it provides renovation guidelines aimed at strengthening climate resilience in housing, making relevant contributions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11 and 13. The research reinforces the importance of methodologies such as POE in supporting more effective design and management practices in SH, particularly in the face of global climate change challenges.

User-oriented public spaces are central to urban livability, as they address diverse needs, preferences, and everyday experiences while fostering inclusivity, accessibility, functionality, and comfort. These qualities enhance well-being and support sustainable urban development. Aligned with this perspective, the present study conducts a user-oriented post-occupancy evaluation of the regenerated Üsküdar waterfront in Istanbul, a historically layered district undergoing significant transformation. While urban waterfront regeneration is typically assessed through ecological, design, or economic lenses, socially grounded and user-oriented evaluations remain limited. This study addresses that gap by examining user perceptions across four key dimensions: demographic diversity, accessibility, spatial functionality, and environmental quality, using a structured questionnaire. Based on survey data from 100 users and supported by statistical analysis, the findings reveal strengths in aesthetic quality and multimodal accessibility, particularly through effective landscape design and integration with public transport. However, notable deficiencies persist in disability inclusion, sanitary infrastructure, safety, and comfort. These results underscore the importance of aligning physical interventions with users’ lived experiences. By placing user experience at the center of evaluation, the study offers actionable insights to guide more inclusive, responsive, and sustainable waterfront development in Istanbul and other similarly evolving urban contexts.

Green buildings are recognised for their potential to reduce energy consumption, minimise environmental impact, and improve occupants’ well-being, benefits that are especially critical in rapidly urbanising regions. However, questions remain about whether these buildings fully meet occupant comfort expectations while delivering energy efficiency. This is particularly relevant in Africa, where climate conditions and energy infrastructure challenges make sustainable building operation essential. Although interest in sustainable construction has increased, limited research has examined the real-world performance of green buildings in Africa. This study helps address that gap by evaluating indoor thermal comfort in a green-certified office building and two conventional office buildings in Abuja, Nigeria, through post-occupancy evaluation (POE). The Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Thermal Sensation Vote (TSV) were used to assess comfort, revealing discrepancies between predicted and actual occupant responses. In the green building, PMV indicated near-neutral conditions (0.28), yet occupants reported a slightly cool sensation (TSV: −1.1). Neutral temperature analysis showed that the TSV-based neutral temperature (26.5 °C) was 2.2 °C higher than the operative temperature (24.3 °C), suggesting overcooling. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating occupant feedback into HVAC control. Aligning cooling setpoints with comfort preferences could improve satisfaction and reduce unnecessary cooling, promoting energy-efficient building operation.

ABSTRACT Evaluating the performance of domestic retrofits is essential in appraising their success and identifying if they improved the lives of occupants. In the UK, billions of pounds are invested annually in retrofits through policy funding; however, current building regulations do not mandate evaluation, and monitoring requirements are poorly defined. Without agreed standardised protocols or tools, retrofit evaluations remain inconsistent and incomparable, providing little assurance to occupants, landlords, installers, or the government. Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) is a common and well-established form of building performance evaluation used in retrofit evaluations; however, it faces challenges in multi-dwelling retrofit schemes. This research evaluated the effectiveness of occupancy evaluation surveys in five domestic retrofit projects overseen by a local authority in Northern England between 2022 and 2024. Phase one implemented a retrofit survey taken from the UKGBCs BuildUpon2 Framework. In phases two and three, iterative improvements were made to the survey based on feedback from occupants and surveyors. Five key barriers were identified: resources, technical challenges, surveyor engagement, trust, and accessibility. Addressing these challenges increased the survey response rate from 25% to 98%. The refinements significantly improved the quality and usefulness of the data collected, offering valuable insights for designing robust, easily implementable occupant surveys.

Acoustic comfort is increasingly recognised as a critical factor in the performance and well-being of users within educational environments. However, limited attention has been paid to how demographic variables influence users’ perception of acoustic quality in university auditoria, particularly within the Nigerian context. This study investigates how age, gender, and user role shape subjective experiences of acoustic comfort, with the goal of informing more inclusive and responsive architectural design. A structured questionnaire was administered to 365 respondents comprising students, lecturers, and institutional guests in a private Nigerian university. Using a quantitative descriptive design, data were analysed through descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations to identify perceptual patterns across demographic groups. Findings revealed significant variations in acoustic sensitivity. Female respondents and individuals aged 21–30 years reported higher levels of discomfort, particularly with echo, reverberation, and speech clarity. Students, who constitute the most frequent users of auditoria, expressed the greatest dissatisfaction and were most vocal in advocating for improved acoustic environments. These trends underscore the importance of integrating user perceptions into design and evaluation processes. Drawing from psychoacoustic theory and the salutogenic design framework, the study proposes a suite of responsive strategies including psychoacoustic zoning, adaptive ceiling treatments, modular sound systems, and post-occupancy evaluation mechanisms. The study contributes a novel perspective to African-based architectural acoustics literature by emphasizing the psycho-social dimensions of auditory comfort. It argues that the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to auditorium design often neglects perceptual diversity and may inadvertently reinforce discomfort among certain demographic groups. The research offers a replicable methodology for assessing and integrating demographic sensitivity into design decisions and concludes with practical recommendations for architects, planners, and policy-makers in higher education. Ultimately, the study promotes equity-focused, user-centred spatial planning as a necessary step towards sustainable and inclusive learning environments in Nigerian universities.

This literature review draws particular insights from Sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria, to highlight context-specific determinants and critically examines the determinants of residential satisfaction, with a particular focus on housing quality, neighbourhood features, and socioeconomic factors. Drawing upon fifteen peer-reviewed studies published between 2021 and 2025, the paper identifies key patterns in user satisfaction across diverse geographic and socio-economic contexts. The findings highlight that residential satisfaction is multidimensional, shaped not only by physical dwelling attributes such as structural integrity and spatial comfort but also by broader neighbourhood characteristics including access to amenities, environmental quality, and safety. Socioeconomic variables such as income, educational level, and tenure status emerged as influential in mediating satisfaction, often amplifying inequalities in housing outcomes. The study applies relevant theoretical models Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE), and the Actual–Aspiration Gap Theory to interpret the empirical evidence and synthesise cross-regional insights. The review contributes to the housing discourse by offering an integrated thematic and methodological analysis, while also providing practical and policy-oriented recommendations for more inclusive and responsive housing development strategies.