Evaluating user experience in green buildings in relation to workplace culture and context

Abstract

Purpose-This paper aims to explore the relationship between green building design and workplace design practice, and to examine the role of organizational culture in shaping design and operation decisions with consequence for user experience. Design/methodology/approach-A literature review and introduction of key concepts establish the foundation for the research and provide a context for interpreting results. Empirical findings are presented from a pre-and post-occupancy evaluation of a company's move to a new headquarters building designed both to shift organizational culture and to meet environmental objectives. Findings-The paper demonstrates that, while there are potentially significant gains to be made from integrating green building with workplace design strategies from the outset, there are many other factors beyond the quality of the space, which may play a role in shaping user experience. Links are drawn between improved occupant comfort, health and productivity in the new headquarters building, and organizational culture and contextual factors accompanying the move. The findings raise a number of important questions and considerations for organizational and workplace research, and post-occupancy evaluation of buildings. Research limitations/implications-The research and findings focus on the experience and context of one company's move to a new headquarters building and cannot be extrapolated. Given the mainstreaming and merging of green building design with workplace design practice, more research and studies are needed to advance this important line of inquiry. Originality/value-The paper brings together the two agendas of workplace design and green building design, which have until very recently progressed along separate paths.

Indoor environment quality of green buildings: Case study of an LEED platinum certified factory in a warm humid tropical climate

“…Employees reported reductions in hours affected by respiratory illnesses and stress which could translate into higher productivity. Brown et al used a similar design with the BUS questionnaire for their study of a new green building located in Toronto, Canada [21]. This headquarters building was designed to replace a conventional building located elsewhere in the same city.…”

Using end‐user surveys to enhance facilities design and management

“…Brown et al (2010) utilized surveys in their work, "Evaluating user experience in green buildings in relation to workplace culture and context." These researchers employed previously validated pre-occupancy and post-occupancy web-based surveys to assess end-users' satisfaction with various conditions, including lighting.…”

Is Sustainability Attractive for Corporate Real Estate Decisions?

“…A potential occupier will consider these advantages regarding the extra cost of the rent premium. However, fewer works focused on the value of green buildings for users (Heerwagen, 2000;Edwards, 2006;Paul and Taylor, 2008;Dixon, Ennis-Reynolds, Roberts and Sims, 2009;Brown, Cole, Robinson and Dowlatabadi, 2010). The surveys conducted across occupiers by Jones Lang LaSalle (2008) and Cushman andWakefield (2009) in London, or DTZ (2009) in Paris confirm the improvement of sustainability among other strategic factors for buildings' attractiveness and a willingness to pay a premium for green-certified buildings from 1-5 % to 10 %.…”