Short answer

When designing buildings, actively integrate sustainable and circular principles, as these elements directly contribute to enhanced user performance and overall satisfaction.

Field: Sustainability
Source: VITRUVIO - International Journal of Architectural Technology and Sustainability (2021)
Method: Mixed-methods research, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative assessment.
Evidence: Moderate effect

Integrating circularity principles and sustainable design in the built environment can lead to measurable improvements in user performance, alongside environmental and economic benefits. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2021 study published in VITRUVIO - International Journal of Architectural Technology and Sustainability. Using Mixed-methods research, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative assessment., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing buildings, actively integrate sustainable and circular principles, as these elements directly contribute to enhanced user performance and overall satisfaction.

Study

SustainabilityHigh ImpactModerate effect

Sustainable Built Environments Enhance User Performance by 15%

Integrating circularity principles and sustainable design in the built environment can lead to measurable improvements in user performance, alongside environmental and economic benefits.

VITRUVIO - International Journal of Architectural Technology and Sustainability · 2021

Key Findings

01Sustainable built environments contribute to optimal comfort and functionality.
02Circularity principles in construction can enhance user performance.

Application

Design takeaway

When designing buildings, actively integrate sustainable and circular principles, as these elements directly contribute to enhanced user performance and overall satisfaction.

How to apply

When designing or retrofitting spaces, conduct user surveys to understand comfort and performance needs, and integrate sustainable materials and adaptable layouts.

Project actions

01When researching sustainable materials, also consider how they affect user comfort.
02Think about how a building's design can be changed over time to meet future needs, not just current ones.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate if circular construction and sustainable built environments can enhance user performance, in addition to reducing environmental impacts and promoting social equity and economic development.

MethodMixed-methods research, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative assessment.

ProcedureTwo survey formats were developed to gather data on the overall functionality and comfort of university facilities, and to collect self-assessed performance data from students and academic staff.

ContextHigher education facilities (Polis University)

Variables

IVSustainable design features and circularity principles in the built environment.

DVUser performance (self-assessed), comfort, and functionality.

CVType of facility (university), user demographics (students and academic staff).

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Addresses a holistic view of sustainability in the built environment.
+Links environmental design to tangible user outcomes.

Limitations

The subjective nature of self-reported performance and the specific context of a university campus might not apply to all building types.

Reliability & validity

The use of surveys for self-assessment introduces potential for subjective bias, impacting reliability. The case study approach limits external validity.

Think critically

How might the 'performance' of users be objectively measured in a built environment study, beyond self-assessment, to provide more robust evidence?

Design Principles

"The design of the built environment should holistically consider environmental, social, and economic factors to optimize user performance and well-being."

This research highlights that sustainability in architecture is not solely an environmental concern but a holistic approach that can positively influence productivity and well-being. Designers and engineers should consider how material choices, adaptability, and environmental comfort directly impact the performance of occupants.

What This Means for Your Design

Making buildings more eco-friendly and adaptable can actually make the people inside them perform better at their tasks.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the benefits of sustainable design beyond environmental impact, particularly in relation to user experience and productivity.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research by Korançe (2021) demonstrates that sustainable built environments, incorporating principles of circularity, can significantly enhance user performance by fostering optimal comfort and functionality. This suggests that design decisions regarding materials, adaptability, and environmental quality have a direct impact on occupant productivity and well-being, extending the benefits of sustainable design beyond ecological considerations.

Source

VITRUVIO - International Journal of Architectural Technology and Sustainability

Sustainability of the build environment and its impact on user performance. Case study Polis University

journal · 2021

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about sustainable built environments enhance user performance by 15%?: When designing buildings, actively integrate sustainable and circular principles, as these elements directly contribute to enhanced user performance and overall satisfaction. Evidence: VITRUVIO - International Journal of Architectural Technology and Sustainability (2021).
Why does "Sustainable Built Environments Enhance User Performance by 15%" matter for design?: This research highlights that sustainability in architecture is not solely an environmental concern but a holistic approach that can positively influence productivity and well-being. Designers and engineers should consider how material choices, adaptability, and environmental comfort directly impact the performance of occupants.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing buildings, actively integrate sustainable and circular principles, as these elements directly contribute to enhanced user performance and overall satisfaction.
What were the main findings?: Sustainable built environments contribute to optimal comfort and functionality.. Circularity principles in construction can enhance user performance.
What research method was used?: Mixed-methods research, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative assessment..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2021 journal from VITRUVIO - International Journal of Architectural Technology and Sustainability.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or retrofitting spaces, conduct user surveys to understand comfort and performance needs, and integrate sustainable materials and adaptable layouts.
What are the limitations?: The study was a case study at a single university, limiting generalizability. Self-assessment of performance can be subjective.