Understanding the process of domestic retrofit is important for learning and innovation. This is particularly the case for low carbon retrofits such as those undertaken under the UK's Retrofit for the Future (RftF) programme, with its aim to achieve an overall 80% carbon reduction by 2050. Current post-occupancy evaluation (POE) research has both theoretical and methodological limitations with implications for technical and behavioural research in the built environment. Drawing on relevant ideas and concepts from social practice theory and science and technology studies, principally prefiguration (constraints/enablement), black-boxing, heating and cooling practices, this paper demonstrates how the relationship between buildings and people could be reconceptualized as mutually constitutive and co-evolving through a process of 'interactive adaptation'. The concept of 'interactive adaptation' is explored through a novel approach to integrating physical and social data collected from a sample of dwellings selected from the RftF programme. Analysis yields insights into the influences and pathways of interactive adaptation resulting from retrofit technology and practices. The implications of these insights for policy-makers, the research community and practitioners are discussed: end-use energy demand policy needs to be informed by a socio-technical approach.

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Housing quality is crucially linked to health and sustainability goals, yet there is limited research on informal housing and settlements where housing quality is poor, and the health risks are expected to be greatest. This paper describes the investigation of housing conditions in a low-income resettlement colony in Delhi. A novel transdisciplinary methodology to evaluate multiple housing health hazards and establish intervention priorities in participation with the community was developed. Findings from housing surveys and indoor environmental monitoring were contrasted with a participatory self-assessment-revealing the widespread prevalence of hazards and suboptimal housing conditions as well as substantial differences in priorities, and thus perspectives, between participants and researchers. Focus group discussions explored the findings and built consensus on priorities. Our findings uncovered how poor housing conditions affect daily practices and thus are likely to adversely affect socioeconomic development and gender equality. We highlight limitations in current frameworks to assess housing hazards and argue that a transdisciplinary approach is vital to provide a holistic understanding and to develop effective interventions. These insights are crucial to inform inclusive solutions for adequate housing and human settlements that can support improved health and help achieve the sustainable development goals.

This paper compares energy and ventilation performance, and levels of pollutants in six school classrooms and associates them to asthmatic and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) symptoms and the perceived indoor air quality (IAQ) of students. Self-reported data on subjective perception of air quality and health responses were gathered with a standardised questionnaire completed by 151 school children (Response Rate (RR):86%) attending two schools in the Greater London Area: a contemporary suburban low carbon school building and an urban, high thermal mass school built in the 19th century. Temperature, particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), ozone (O 3 ), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentrations were monitored in three classrooms and one outdoor site in each school for 5 consecutive days during the heating seasons. Biological parameters were determined in settled dust and analysed with molecular methods. Overall, asthma prevalence in the school environment was associated with exposure to higher NO 2 levels (odds ratio (OR): 1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0-1.2). Exposure to PM in all classrooms was high and was associated with increased mucosal symptoms (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1-1.9) and eczema (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0-1.6) prevalence. Higher indoor CO 2 levels were associated with general symptoms (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0-1.2). Increased dissatisfaction with IAQ was associated with higher temperatures and exposure to higher NO 2 , CO 2 , fungal, cat allergens, and VOC levels (limonene and formaldehyde). Direct access to the playground without buffer zone and user behavioural patterns may affect energy consumption. Findings suggest that increased ventilation rates may mitigate overheating, alleviate SBS symptoms, and improve satisfaction with IAQ.

The importance of maintaining adequate indoor air quality in schools is recognised as a contributing factor to pupils' learning performance. This paper describes a series of field measurements that investigating the ventilation rates in four recently built secondary schools in England. All schools were assessed for compliance with the recently adopted Building Bulletin 101, which defines the set of criteria in relation to the ventilation rates and indoor air quality in new school buildings. Using the obtained results a methodology has been suggested for post-occupancy evaluation of ventilation rates in schools. The suggested methodology draws particular attention to the dynamic nature of the interaction between the building and their occupants. Practical application: The new Building Bulletin 101 is quoted in Approved Document F as a means of compliance with Building Regulations for school buildings in the UK. This paper, based on four case studies, highlights some of the problems facing architects, mechanical engineers and building control officers associated with post-occupancy evaluation of ventilation rates in new school buildings. The methodology suggested in this paper, which differs radically from the current practice, takes into account the changing nature of the indoor environment in schools including occupancy level and occupant behaviour.