“ADVANCES AND INSIGHTS: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF POST-OCCUPANCY EVALUATION TOWARDS INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY”

Abstract

The impact of indoor environments on the perception and satisfaction of a building’s inhabitants is now attracting attention from researchers due to the relentless heat and extreme weather patterns in tropical countries. This is especially true in Malaysia, where the hot and stagnant air indoors augments the lack of circulation, leading to significant discomfort among building occupants. This phenomenon spurred the concept of indoor performance as one of the supporting elements toward the globe’s advancing sustainable development, which in turn addresses the need to evaluate the satisfaction and acceptance of spaces among their users. Today, many individuals are increasingly concerned about the sustainability of their work and living environments. As people seek both comfort and functionality, developers dedicate their efforts to creating sustainable spaces that meet the demands of occupants. In this pursuit, post-occupancy evaluation (POE) has proven instrumental in examining indoor environments, providing nuanced insights into how these spaces impact everyday activities. This evaluation method has successfully equipped developers with feedback that informs the design of future buildings and renovations, ultimately enhancing occupant experience. This paper delves into a rich tapestry of past and current literature on post-occupancy evaluation, focusing on critical areas such as thermal comfort, air quality, lighting, Acoustics and Ventilation Concentration. Key research gaps were highlighted with a lack of standardised instruments and limited data. This paper also underscores the immense importance of POE, drawing from previous studies to illustrate how it serves as a powerful tool for improving indoor environments and ensuring they meet the needs of those who inhabit them.